Context

1. Context

As a volunteer with Medics&Me, you will be dealing with students that are more vulnerable due to being from widening participation backgrounds. 

We don't foresee any major issues occurring but it is very important to be aware of safeguarding and how to respond so you can act appropriately if something were to occur.

Contacts can be found in the Introduction information. Please follow the guidance within this course which reflects that of the official Safeguarding Policy which can be found in the course, or via this link: Safeguarding Policy 

2. What is safeguarding?

The NSPCC defines safeguarding as actions taken to promote welfare and prevent harm.

A child is anyone under the age of 18.

As a volunteer for Medics&Me, you will be mentoring children and you need to be aware of how to spot potential harms and dangers to the welfare of your mentees. This includes, but is not limited to, recognising signs of abuse, acting on suspicions/disclosures and acting appropriately around your mentees.

References

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

NSPCC - Getting Started on Safeguarding and Child Protection

3. Safeguarding Responsibilities within Medics&Me

Everyone:

Those of a widening participation background are considered more vulnerable, therefore being aware of safeguarding is even more important. 

Mentors:

Direct contact with vulnerable young people

School Leads:

Oversight responsibility for mentors

Operations/Trustees:

Overall responsibility for the charity

Events:

Ensuring mentees are safe at events run by the charity, with risk assessments carried out

4. Key people in Medics&Me

The most important contacts are within the introduction, but here are other important members of the Medics&Me team. 

Contact details are within the "Important Contacts" section of the introduction, but if you need to contact someone listed here, that hasn't been mentioned within the introduction, please refer to the Whatsapp Community Channel 

Please visit the website for the full committee member list.

Founder/Chair of Trustees: Megan Pode

Director of Operations: Frank Hartley

Operations Secretaries: Dunsin Oderinlo and Neil Lodhia

Managing Directors: Rhiannon Craig and Lauren Wilson

Safeguarding Team: Hannah Roberts, Rose Starmer and Maisha Hayat

Director of Mentoring: Catherine Rodgers 

Director of Communications and Regional Leads: Kelley Chen 

Director of Secretaries: Molly Broadway 

Volunteer Leads: Alicia Falconer and Hope Stevens