How do I know that my child will be safe at a YAC Branch meeting?

YAC HQ asks all volunteers at YAC Branches to complete an application form, which tells us about them and their background.

Branch Leaders and Branch Assistants

Volunteers who wish to be Branch Leaders or Assistants have to complete an application form which asks for the details of two referees. These referees are contacted confidentially to find out about the individual’s suitability to work with young people. Branch Leaders and Assistants also undergo a Criminal Records check. When the volunteer has two valid references and a criminal records Disclosure certificate, their paper work is passed on to our Approvals Panel. It is the Approvals Panel’s job to ensure that the person meets our strict suitability criteria. If they think that they do, the volunteer will be ‘approved’ and notified in writing by YAC HQ. They are then free to work in that YAC Branch. Branch Leaders and Assistants also undergo training organised by YAC HQ which covers areas such as child protection and First Aid.

Helpers (in England, Northern Ireland and Wales)

People applying to become Helpers with a YAC Branch complete a Helper Registration Form but they do not provide references or complete a Criminal Records check. Due to this Helpers are only allowed to attend YAC sessions on an infrequent basis, must only work alongside Branch Leaders and Assistants and are never allowed to be in sole charge of young people. Helpers who wish to become more involved with the Branch must complete the approvals procedure outlined above before they can do so.

Every YAC session must be attended by at least one first aid trained volunteer, and YAC applies a 1:8 adult child ratio, meaning that for every eight children at a session there must be at least one approved volunteer. Every session is completely risk assessed. YAC HQ also provides each Branch with public liability and employer’s liability insurance as well as a Leaders’ Handbook that sets out good practice and standard procedures that the Branch must follow.