Introduction
Thank you for getting involved with Ri Masterclasses as an adult contributor. This page contains key information and tools to enable you to best support the Masterclasses you are involved with.
Masterclasses are normally run face-face but can also be run online. Make sure you access the right set of tools for the type of Masterclass you are contributing to.
Please review the documents on this page in advance of your Masterclasses to refresh your knowledge, especially if you are a supervisor. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and these documents will help you take on that responsibility.
Contact us here in the Masterclass team if you need support, have any questions or would like a short induction.
Contributor roles
Adult contributors attend Masterclasses to fulfil one of the following roles:
- Masterclass speakers lead the workshop, either alone or in a small group, and are usually responsible for developing the content of the session
- Masterclass helpers support the students, speakers and supervisors, assisting with running activities and supporting the students' learning
- Masterclass supervisors have greater levels of responsibility, being in charge of the pastoral/safeguarding care of the students. They are always present in the Masterclasses to oversee the on-the-day running of the workshops and manage the speakers and helpers. A series of Masterclasses may have more than one supervisor who share responsibilities
Additional contributors who plan Masterclasses:
- Masterclass organisers are those who plan and run the series, ensuring everything is in place for the workshops to run safely and effectively. They recruit and liaise with the students, teachers and adult contributors.
Safeguarding policies and code of conduct
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and we all have a duty to act. Any volunteer can ask the Masterclass team for safeguarding training.
The Ri Safeguarding Policies webpage contains:
- Ri safeguarding policies
- Ri safeguarding procedures
- Contact details of the Ri's Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSOs)
- Report form for reporting any safeguarding incident arising in Ri Masterclasses
Adult contributors who either have safeguarding concerns or have received a disclosure should:
- Report this Masterclass series supervisor without delay
- Complete the safeguarding report form and send this to us without delay
- Get in touch with one of the Ri DSOs for advice and support, if needed.
Concerns about possible immediate harm? Call 999 and report it to the police immediately. If you are not sure how to proceed and cannot reach one of the Ri's DSOs, contact the NSPCC for advice and support (see details on the Ri's Safeguarding Policy webpage).
There are more details on what to do in the Ri Child Safeguarding Procedures.
Info for speakers and helpers
Attending adult contributors should read the relevant information document, containing safeguarding information and an introduction to help you get the most out of your volunteering experience. You are welcome to ask the organiser or supervisor for a short safeguarding induction prior to attending a Masterclass.
Supervisor information: introduction
Masterclass supervisors have an important role and are responsible for the pastoral care of the students and the overall running of the session.
They must have a DBS, PVG or Access NI check (verified by the Ri) and remain in the workshop room with the students throughout the Masterclass. Other areas of responsibility include:
- Overseeing behaviour: briefing students about the code of conduct and responding appropriately if it is breached
- General health and safety: ensure all adults and students follow venue health and safety guidance, and relevant risk assessments
- Data handling: storing and handling students' personal data securely
- Hosting attendees: welcoming and supporting the speaker, students and helpers
Supervisor information: face-face handbook
The Masterclass Supervisor Handbook (face-face) and supporting photography guide provide essential information and procedures for supervisors in face-face Masterclasses.
All supervisors, even experienced ones, should review the Supervisor Handbook periodically to refresh their knowledge.
Supervisor information: online handbook
Supervisors of online Masterclasses are still responsible for the pastoral/safeguarding care of students.
Students attending an Online Masterclass are supervised at all times, including in breakout 'rooms' on the digital platform. A team of supervisors might be required to ensure all breakout rooms are supervised at all times.
Additional helpers can attend the online event to support students' learning, but should not supervise a breakout room on their own or have the ability to send private massages to students. If they meet either of these criteria, they should be considered to be a supervisor and will need to be DBS checked.
The Online Masterclasses Handbook for Supervisors is essential reading, providing information on procedures and responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with it prior to supervising Online Masterclass events.
Supervisor pack 1 of 2: paperwork for student pastoral care
Supervisors hold a pack of documents throughout each Masterclass session that supports safeguarding/pastoral care of the students and general health & safety. This is provided by the Masterclass organiser in advance and should include:
- Adult register sheet
- Student register – supplied by the Masterclass organiser
- Student emergency contact details & medical/allergy/accessibility info – supplied by the Masterclass organiser. Review this before the Masterclass in case there is anything you need to be aware of in advance. Ensure you can access emergency contact details at all times.
- Photo permissions – Details of which students have had photo permission waiver signed
Data Protection Notice: These documents contain personal and sensitive data and should be kept securely out of sight.
Supervisor pack 2 of 2: paperwork for health and safety
Your organiser can supply a general risk assessment (RA) for the venue in the pack, and may go through elements of it in advance with you. For example, you will need to know emergency procedures such as fire alarm evacuation procedures and what health and safety 'house keeping' needs to be announced to attendees at the start.
Online Masterclasses have very few health & safety risks, but an RA should still exist for other identified risks.
It is rare that a speaker requires a written risk assessment specific to their Masterclass since most only undertake classroom-style activities. But do check with them before the start if they want to highlight specific risks in your 'house-keeping' announcement.
Always be vigilant for risks such as trip hazards and improper use of sharp equipment.
Further notes
All documents and templates are updated and published at least annually in advance of the new academic year. Please ensure you are using the latest copy. Please feel free to contact us if there is something missing from this list that you think could be useful.
The tools and information shown here and linked above are the property of the Royal Institution of Great Britain and are protected as set out in the terms and conditions below. They are intended to support the work of Ri Masterclass volunteer groups and must not be used, shared or reproduced for any purpose other than this.