Volunteering for the RDA - too many checks?

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Booboos

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I have previously volunteered for the RDA for 7 years, but had a break for the last 5 years while we moved around the country.

Last week I noticed my local centre asking for help so I decided to get involved again as I have enjoyed it tremendously in the past.

In order to help out I had to:

- fill in a health and safety form with my experience, etc.
- start filling in a 'green card' listing all the different tasks (e.g. leading pony, side helping, tacking up) which I have to do under supervision and then have the card signed
- go through a CRB check for work with children, which including bringing my passport, utility bills, etc. getting two references done, doing a criminal records check, etc.

Now I don't mind doing all of this but I do think it's slight overkill (especially as no one is left alone with the children, we were all in an indoor school with around 30 people, including instructors, helpers, teachers, parents) and will put some people off helping in the first place.

The saddest thing was that I was helping a little boy (about 8 years old) who was having a whale of a time, laughing his head off and enjoying himself. When he went to trot I put my hand on his lower thigh, partly to steady him, partly as a gesture of affection, partly as encouragement. I was asked not to do this again as it could constitute assault. Apparently we should not touch the children (unless integral to the activity, so I should have held onto his heel to balance him), we can't hug them or put an arm around their shoulders.

Of course I wouldn't want to see any child exposed to the dangers of abuse, but this is taking it too far and depriving them of basic human contact is a real loss in my opinion.
 
I volunteered with the RDA untill about a year ago and had to do all that, green card CRB etc. - it's just the way of the world now
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It's very sad things have got to this but sadly for the sake of the group you have to respect the rules that have to be followed.

it is overkill and sometimes ridiculous because as you say you are never actually left alone with the children, and they thrive on contact - but because of a few evil people out there in the world who will actually hurt a child we are all made to feel guilty!

what I found was that the longer I worked there the rules relaxed slightly as you got to know the child and parents and you were allowed to have more contact with the child you are working with. You may find they are being extra strict becuase you are new.

Don't let it put you off - the pleasure you help give those children is worth it
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xx
 
The checks are not just about keeping the RDA riders safe while they are riding. Helpers get the opportunity to build a relationship with the rider and *could* use this relationship to approach them at another time, when they are not under such close supervision. This is why e.g. church members who teach in Sunday School also need to be checked.
I am a member of a RDA committee and several of our helpers didn't understand this until I pointed out to them that many of our riders are vulnerable adults or older teenagers who might well be travelling on their own to college etc and who will probably have been told not to talk to strangers but cannot be warned effectively about talking to people they know in a different context. As it is part of normal life to talk to people we meet in a variety of siuations, surely it is best to check those people who are given the opportunity to meet vulnerable adults/children in a semi-official capacity.
 
Disabled children are the most vulnerable group, there are so many sick people in the world that sadly these measures are necessary
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Porkie: yes, of course I am doing it all and will comply! I was just thinking that it might put other people off, not that I would refuse to do it.

Pearlsasinger: thanks, I hadn't thought of that possibility.

I do think that some checks are a good idea, but I worry that the way these are set up impose unnecessary restrictions on well meaning people, while letting those who have malicious motives continue as before!

I was reading an article by Esther Ranzen. She is the founder and president of Child Line and she was at an anniversary event for the charity when she asked a photographer to take a photo of her with the kids. He refused because he was worried about photographing children - that is ridiculous!

On the other hand, the only incident of abuse I know of happened to one of our RDA pupils by the taxi driver who used to take her to her various activities. He would still not fall under any checks but he was alone with her for long periods of time, a number of times a week - very, very sad and a horrid, sick man!
 
I've been a volunteer with RDA for about 13 years and, along with the other helpers in our group, I'm about to undergo the full CRB check, having been 'basic' checked a few years ago. It is a hassle, and it does put some people off - and we find it difficult enough to recruit helpers as it is. So if anyone is reading this who is thinking about volunteering, please don't hesitate - it really is very rewarding work.

OP - I was surprised to read that you putting your hand on the lower thigh of your rider attracted any comment - some of the children we work with are so unbalanced that if we didn't hold their legs quite firmly they would be in orbit. In fact, one of the holds we were taught is one hand on the ankle and one above the knee.
 
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OP - I was surprised to read that you putting your hand on the lower thigh of your rider attracted any comment - some of the children we work with are so unbalanced that if we didn't hold their legs quite firmly they would be in orbit. In fact, one of the holds we were taught is one hand on the ankle and one above the knee.

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Yes, this is where I placed my hand and this is what I had been taught previously. Maybe guidelines have changed? I was told that holding the heel would be sufficient. To be honest I am slightly unclear whether I would be allowed to touch a rider's leg or back if it looked like they would fall off otherwise (I need to clarify with them). In the past I have had to help riders 'right' themselves and on one occassion I had to catch a girl mid-air so she ended up in my arms (rather than the floor!!!).
 
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When has an RDA rider EVER been assaulted, do we know?

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Good question!

I had a look at some general statistics:

"1% of children aged under 16 experienced sexual abuse by a parent or carer and a further 3% by another relative during childhood. 11% of children experienced sexual abuse by people known but unrelated to them. 5% of children experienced sexual abuse by an adult stranger or someone they had just met.
Cawson et al. (2000) Child maltreatment in the United Kingdom: a study of the prevalence of child abuse and neglect . London: NSPCC. p.85 and 86."

http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/...t_wda48740.html

This means that 9% of abusers (parents, relatives, complete strangers) would not be subject to these checks anyway.

Of the remainder 11% of abusers who are known to children, these measure would only catch out repeat offenders. First time offenders (or people who have never been caught) won't have a record. I suspect the number of repeat offenders may well be very low and they are the only ones these regulations protect from (which is a problem as little is being done about everyone else!).
 
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The checks are not just about keeping the RDA riders safe while they are riding. Helpers get the opportunity to build a relationship with the rider and *could* use this relationship to approach them at another time, when they are not under such close supervision. This is why e.g. church members who teach in Sunday School also need to be checked.
I am a member of a RDA committee and several of our helpers didn't understand this until I pointed out to them that many of our riders are vulnerable adults or older teenagers who might well be travelling on their own to college etc and who will probably have been told not to talk to strangers but cannot be warned effectively about talking to people they know in a different context. As it is part of normal life to talk to people we meet in a variety of siuations, surely it is best to check those people who are given the opportunity to meet vulnerable adults/children in a semi-official capacity.

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Do you do CRB checks on their parents and close families? I thought most abuse of children was by members of their own families? I look forward to the day when anyone wanting to have children will have to have a CRB check done 1st - if you fail, you will have the relevant parts of your body removed!
 
It is a shame that the acts of a minority are turning our world into a cold place.

No pat on the back or hug for a task well done by a child from his/her teacher.

A helper in this situation worried about keeping a child steady on a horse when he/she could easily fall and ruin any fun/confidence so far gained.

And from the teacher/helper point of view, the fear of accusation from the child/parent that something inappropriate may have happened, when they acted.

I completely understand all points of view. Feel lucky that when I was small, and fell in the playground that my teacher put me back on my feet, brushed me down, gave me a comforting hug and then sent me off to play again.

I know I was lucky. Some aren't.
 
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