Setting up a Site

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When a group of people are interested in setting up a new RAINBOWS site it is important that everyone involved understands how to go about this and become familiar with the policies and guidelines which apply to setting up and running a Site. Therefore it is essential that a potential Site works directly with a qualified RAINBOWS Registered Director to become an Accredited Site.

 

A RAINBOWS group can only be set up and take place with the invitation from a Site Manager / Management Body. In this way RAINBOWS is carried out with the full knowledge and authority and under the control of the Management of the Site location.

 

In order to become an Accredited RAINBOWS Site, the following steps should be followed.

 

  • Contact should be made by the potential Site with the RAINBOWS National Office or the local Registered Director to inquire about setting up RAINBOWS. It may be useful also to contact an existing local Site to get some idea of what is involved.
  • Initial information is received and discussed – including the Site Policy and Guideline Handbook from RAINBOWS. This book sets out the responsibilities of a Site.
  • At this stage an information meeting / in-service session may be held if necessary for the various interested parties. Such sessions may also be held later in the process if deemed more appropriate.
  • When the new group feel they have enough information to proceed a formal decision to establish a Site should be taken at local level.
  • The Commitment and Responsibility Form is signed whereby the Site Administrator on behalf of the Management Body of the Site undertakes to abide by the regulations contained in the Guideline Handbook.
  • Adult Volunteers are recruited to be trained as Facilitators. Each Volunteer must be approved by the Site Administrator. (Go to "TRAINING" on the menu bar for more information about Volunteers)
  • One or more of the above Volunteers are identified as willing to be Site Coordinator(s).
  • Volunteer Team are sent for Training as Facilitators (and subsequently as Coordinators) by a RAINBOWS Registered Director.
  • The Site Registration Form is completed and signed. This and the other official form (Commitment and Responsibility Form) are forwarded to the RAINBOWS National Office for processing.
  • The Site is now officially registered as an Accredited RAINBOWS Site and is entitled to offer the RAINBOWS Programmes and order materials for use with the groups of participants.
  • The new Site then sets about making potential participants aware of the availability of the programme at the site. (An information meeting for parents and/or those interested is often held at this stage if not already done earlier.)
  • The schedule for the programme is agreed and a letter of invitation is sent out to Parents / General Public.
  • Once applications have been received the new Site then sets about organising its first groups under RAINBOWS Guidelines and delivering its first RAINBOWS Programme.