Leaders’ Handbook

YAC Leaders come from all walks of life and we have tried to create a Handbook that will be useful and informative for everyone. It aims to give you all the information you need to run your YAC Branch smoothly and safely. Following the procedures outlined will also ensure that you will be covered by the YAC insurance policy. Each Branch should have two copies of the Handbook.

Everyone volunteering with your Branch should read the Handbook. Branch Leaders need to have a detailed knowledge of the Handbook and should ensure that the branch follows the good practice described. Branch Assistants should read the Handbook so that they too have a good working knowledge of areas such as risk assessments and child protection. Helpers (in England, Northern Ireland and Wales) should also be aware of these areas and must understand the parameters of their role, particularly that they should always work in conjunction with an approved and Disclosure-checked YAC Leader and should not attend more than three sessions in a year.

The Handbook is split into colour coded sections so that finding information is easy. There is an index at the back to help you further. Copies of all of the forms you will need to run the Branch are included and you can download additional copies by following the link below.

YAC Leaders’ Handbook

You can download the full text of the Handbook, in Parts, by right-clicking on the links to the PDFs below and selecting ‘Save Link As…’ or ‘Save Target As…’:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART ONE- Who We Are:

This section contains a general introduction including the background and overview of the Young Archaeologists’ Club.

PART TWO- YAC Meetings:

This section covers details on how to plan your Programme, run YAC Branch sessions, and behaviour management strategies.

PART THREE- Running a Branch:

This section covers record keeping, managing membership, money and grants, insurance, information on Volunteers (new volunteers, change in status), and how to close a Branch.

PART FOUR- Safety:

This section deals with Child Safety issues including: child protection background and summary; types of abuse; issues and procedures regarding suspected abuse; expectations of conduct for YAC Volunteers; Managing Risk; Accident Reports and First Aid; Standard Procedures (travelling by mini-bus, trips outdoors, group walking, etc..)

YAC Leaders’ Handbook – Supplementary Information

This section contains supplementary information and forms. In several sections of the Leaders’ Handbook it states that further information or useful links are available on the Leaders’ section of the YAC website. This supplementary information can be found here. If you would like a copy of the Leaders’ Handbook on CD, please contact YAC HQ.

Leaders’ Forms and Documents

This page contains forms needed to run your Branch.

If you require assistance in either locating and/or downloading a form or document on this page, please contact the YAC Admin Assistant at YAC HQ.