Our Youth Club Agreement

We want the youth club to be a welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable place where everyone feels safe and respected. By becoming a member, you agree to the following:

1. Treat everyone with respect

Be kind and respectful to other young people, staff, volunteers and visitors. Bullying, harassment, discrimination, threatening behaviour or deliberately excluding others will not be accepted.

2. Help keep the club safe

Follow reasonable instructions from youth workers, use equipment safely and tell a member of staff if you notice a hazard or are worried about yourself or somebody else.

Physical violence, threatening behaviour, weapons or anything that could cause harm are not permitted.

3. Respect personal boundaries

Respect other people’s personal space, belongings and choices. Do not pressure anyone to take part in something they are uncomfortable with.

4. Keep the club free from alcohol, drugs, smoking and vaping

Alcohol, illegal drugs, smoking and vaping are not permitted during youth club sessions, activities or trips. Members must not attend while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

5. Look after the building and equipment

Use the venue, equipment and materials responsibly. Tell a youth worker straight away if something is damaged, broken or unsafe. Deliberate damage or theft will be taken seriously.

6. Mobile phones 

Mobile phones are not permitted during youth club sessions. On arrival, young people must hand their phone to a youth worker. Phones will be stored securely in the locked office and returned at the end of the session.

If a young person needs to contact their parent or carer during the session, a youth worker will allow them to use their phone.

Young people must not photograph, film or record anyone at the club without permission.

7. Attend and leave safely

Young people are welcome to attend as regularly as they choose. Members must follow the club’s signing-in and signing-out arrangements and tell a youth worker before leaving a session.

Parents and carers remain responsible for agreed travel arrangements to and from the club.

8. Respect people’s privacy

Do not share another person’s private or personal information without their permission. If something makes you worried about someone’s safety, tell a youth worker rather than keeping it secret.

9. Speak to us

We want young people to help shape the club. You can speak to a youth worker if you have an idea, concern or complaint, or if something does not feel right. We will listen and explain what will happen next.

If the agreement is not followed

We will respond fairly and consider what has happened, its seriousness and the needs of everyone involved. Wherever possible, we will talk with the young person, listen to their views and help them put things right.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

• A reminder or conversation with a youth worker.

• Support to repair any harm caused.

• Contacting a parent or carer.

• Taking a break from an activity or session.

• A temporary suspension from the club.

• Ending membership in serious or repeated cases.

If someone’s immediate safety is at risk, staff may take action straight away and follow Dorset Youth’s safeguarding procedures.

Our commitment to members

Dorset Youth will provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. Our staff and volunteers will treat young people fairly, listen to their views, protect their privacy and respond appropriately when they need help.

Agreement

By completing the form I agree with the above and have spoken to my child about these expectations.

Data Protection Statement

Dorset Youth Association will use the information provided on this form to manage membership, deliver safe and appropriate youth provision, contact parents or carers when necessary, and meet our safeguarding and legal responsibilities.

Information will be stored securely and only shared with relevant staff or other organisations where necessary, legally required or needed to protect someone from harm. We will keep personal information only for as long as required. You can ask to access, correct or raise concerns about how your information is used by contacting Dorset Youth Association. Further details are available in our Privacy Notice.