Best practice for fundraising with children
If you plan to involve children in fundraising activities, there are a few things that you may have questions about or need to be aware of such as: parental permission, age limits for collections, CRB checks etc.
Download this best practice briefing document produced by the Institute of Fundraising for more information and guidance about fundraising with children.
Best practice for fundraisers in-aid-of and in schools
The Institute of Fundraising gives the following guidance in 'Guidance for 'In Aid of' Volunteer Fundraisers'. Ensure that your event is properly and adequately supervised. Where children are included, this includes:
- Providing proper adult supervision
- Checking that the child’s parents/guardians have given their permission for their child to take part
- Carrying out appropriate background checks if adults are to have unsupervised access to children.
They also provide the following Code of Fundraising Practice Fundraising in Schools
Useful guidance and advice
The Department for Children, Schools and Families have provided the following advice:
Many organisations like local fundraising events are outside of the regulated sectors and care for children in one way or another. Whilst you are under no legal duty to follow the guidance set out in the guidance, Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education, you may find some of the principles and advice useful in terms of good practice. A copy of the guidance is available on the governments website for teacher's
The Department for Children, Schools and Families also has a website which contains advice, good practice and example policies on a range of safeguarding issues. You could also look at the guidance for charities on the Charity Commission's website.
If your fundraising is carried out as part of a charity's or organisation's work
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, which will be implemented from autumn 2008, provides the legislative framework to help prevent unsuitable people from gaining access to children and vulnerable adults through their work. The scheme does not make a distinction between paid and unpaid work - it covers both employees and volunteers - as in both cases unsuitable people should not have the opportunity to harm children.
Members of small voluntary groups will be covered by the new scheme if, for example, they are frequently or intensively teaching, training, instructing, caring for, or supervising children where this is not incidental to the same activity in relation to adults. Such individuals would need to become a member of the scheme and be checked by the head of the voluntary group. However, once an individual has made a membership application to the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), potentially via an enhanced disclosure, their status in the scheme can subsequently be checked free and online. In many cases there will be no need for repeat CRB disclosures. Applications for membership from volunteers will be free.
The Department is continuing to liaise with voluntary groups to ensure they will be aware of the impact of the new scheme once it is introduced from autumn 2008.
Organisations such as Volunteering England have already been very positive about the opportunities offered by the new scheme. You may find some further useful information on the Every Child Matters web-link.
Disclaimer
This know-how sheet is produced by how2fundraise.org, an on-line service provided by The Institute of Fundraising. It is intended to provide general information only and should not be taken as a full statement of the law. Please bear in mind that the Institute does not give professional legal or accounting advice, and while care has been taken with this information, you should consider whether you need to seek advice before taking any actions or incurring costs.
The information applies to England and Wales only.
The Institute does not endorse or recommend any third party services or products. If any third party services/products are listed on this website, it is for information purposes only. This how2guide/know-how sheet was last updated on date given at the top of this page and is reviewed on an annual basis. If it is some time since you obtained this how2guide/know-how sheet, please check if it is still correct.
Copyright
Copyright © 2007 Institute of Fundraising. Please see our terms and conditions for full details on use of these materials.
