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YAFA - Information for Parents

In accordance with best practice, and guidelines from the Scottish executive, we have created this list of information, that should pre-empt some questions that you might have about YAFA. If you have a question that is not dealt with here, please contact us at yafa-prog@interaction.worldcon.org.uk or seek us out in the YAFA area in Hall 3 at the convention.

1. Young Adult Fun Activities (YAFA) is part of Interaction (UK 2005 Ltd.), the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention. "World Science Fiction Convention" is a service mark of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society. James Bacon and Stefan Lancaster are in charge of YAFA, answering directly to Alice Lawson who is a Director of UK2005 Ltd. and Services Division Head for Interaction.

2. YAFA (Interaction) has signed an agreement with Farleigh Consultancies Ltd. (Croydon) to act as a signatory in dealings with the Criminal Records Bureau, in order to receive disclosures on all English YAFA Staff. Information on Irish YAFA staff has been sourced directly from the Garda Siocahanna, (Irish Police) vetting Dept, Technical Bureau. Information on our South African YAFA Staff member has been sourced directly from the South African Police Service.

3. YAFA is subject to inspection by Disclosure Scotland in accordance with the Code of Practice, Section 122 (1) of the Police Act 1997.

4. Detailed information on the YAFA team, including photographs, will be available at the convention. We would urge parents to ‘get to know’ the YAFA team, and we welcome contact with parents.
   • YAFA will begin at 12 on Thursday 4 August and finishes at 6 pm sharp.
   • On Friday 5, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August, activities begin at 9.30 am and finish at 6 pm.
   • On Saturday 6 August, members of YAFA may enter the masquerade, which will see YAFA involvement from 7 pm until completion of the junior division section of the event at around 9 pm.
   • On Monday the 8th activities will begin at 10 am and finish at 3 pm.

   There is no extra Charge for Interaction members to be part of YAFA.

5. Parental Consent will be required for the outside visit to the Glasgow Science Centre for all children under 15, this can be noted at registration.

6. All YAFA staff have undergone a rigorous recruitment process, including security and criminal record checks. These checks only form part of the overall recruitment process. In line with best practice guidelines we have a documented policy in regard to the recruitment of Ex Offenders. We also have a documented policy in regard to the secure handling, use, Storage and retention of disclosure information.

7. It is YAFA Policy that there will be 2 YAFA adults on hand at all times, with at least one female and Male, providing a gender balance. For the visit to the Science Centre, 3 YAFA adults will be in attendance.

8. We have a written Code of Conduct for staff and volunteers so that parents know what standards of behaviour to expect.

9. Interaction has a formal constitution setting out its aims. Interaction has a significant number of financial procedures, in accordance with WSFS rules. Interaction is a non-profit organisation run wholly by volunteers.

10. Parents are welcome to visit YAFA at any time, they are also welcome to assist and we would encourage involvement and participation of parents in YAFA activities. Parents need to identify themselves as such to the YAFA team upon their entry to the YAFA area.

11. Interaction is fully insured. We have two first aider’s (FAWs certified) in the YAFA team, and have access via ‘OPS’ to other first aiders should these YAFA members be unavailable We will have a limited first aid kit In The YAFA area in Hall 3, and which we will take to the cordoned-off car Park area that the SECC is allowing us to use.

12. Children aged 10 and under must always be accompanied by a parent. There is a fantastic crèche facility available for the under-10s, if it is not practical for parents to accompany their younger children in YAFA.
    • Children who must be accompanied by a parent will receive a special ‘Satellite’ ribbon, and if a YAFA staff member sees them alone, will query and use the contact details on the Badge Back Sticker to contact the parent.

    • Children aged 14 and under will be asked to sign in and out if a parent so wishes. They will be identified as such upon arrival at the registration. Upon entry to the YAFA area, a parent must make it known to a YAFA staff member when they will return, and that they are leaving their child at that stage with YAFA.

    • Children aged 15 to 19 may come and go as the wish, unless a parent specifically asks for the Child to be ‘logged’ in.

    • All children need to fill in a registration form at registration.

    • All children must register, and receive a Badge Back Sticker with all details filled in. YAFA staff will have a special Gold lettered YAFA STAFF on a dark Green Ribbon. This indicates that the ribbon wearer is a legitimate YAFA member of staff.

    • All YAFA attendees who do not need a parent present will receive a Yafa Ribbon, as will parents who wish to partake and also adults who wish to participate. YAFA staff will at all times monitor all adults, within the YAFA area.

    • That’s 3 Ribbons...
      • YAFA Satellite – Under 10 who should be with Parent or Under 14’s who need to be logged in with YAFA Staff. This Ribbon will be black writing on a Neon Yellow Ribbon.

      • YAFA Comet – 11 - 14 year olds, who have parental permission to come and go as they please, will be Yellow and Purple (vertical) Ribbon with Black writing.

      • YAFA - 15 – 19 year olds, will be offered a YAFA Purple and White Ribbon.

13. Should an issue or complaint arise, it is vital it is brought to the attention of the YAFA staff member present. Should satisfaction not be gained, a request to Speak to Stefan Lancaster or James Bacon would be in order, and we would ask you to do so, before leaving the YAFA area. If any member is unhappy with this response, James and Stef can contact Alice Lawson, head of all members services.

14. The reporting structure for YAFA is as follows:
    • YAFA Staff
    • Area Heads for YAFA – James Bacon and Stefan Lancaster
    • Services Division Head – Alice Lawson.
    • Chairs – Vincent Docherty and Colin Harris.

15. Parents should encourage their children to tell YAFA staff members if there are any occurrences about which they are unhappy or uncomfortable. Parents who are informed of an uncomfortable situation by their child need to inform the correct level of authority within the YAFA and Interaction structure immediately.

16. YAFA is new, it’s a different idea, we are tired of patronising and people being ignored who, upon reflection have a lot to offer and are in some cases better read than their adult peers, just because of their age. We also want a fair forum for discussion, where bluster will not be allowed to overwhelm an opinion. Our moderators have been chosen not only as they are professionals, experienced or scholars in the area, but also as they will have the chutzpah to intervene should a discussion become patronising or contemptuous.

17. Please look through the programme, discuss it with your children, and prepare. By chucking a few simple things into the luggage bag, involvement can be heightened. Contact us at yafa-prog@interaction.worldcon.org.uk, even just to say hello.

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Page last updated 24^th July 2005