Week 2 - Induction and engagement

Pledge: We will ensure that everyone understands the role and tasks of the AWERB and is positively engaged with it.

How much do you know about AWERB inductions and engagement? Take our short quiz.

Topics for your AWERB to reflect on:

  • Is there a structured induction and training programme in place for all AWERB members? If so, do members feel it prepared them adequately for their roles?
  • Who does, or should, organise training and induction?
  • How does the AWERB promote itself, and understanding of its work, internally to all staff? Are communications clear, engaging and accessible?
  • Does the AWERB engage and communicate with the scientists whose work it oversees, to see how they feel about their interactions with the committee?
  • How does the AWERB ensure that animal technologists and named persons are aware of the AWERB and its tasks, and are motivated to support these?
  • Are there any obstacles to better communications and engagement with staff fulfilling different roles, and if so how could these be overcome?

These RSPCA/LASA Guiding Principles on Developing Induction Materials for AWERB Members include examples of induction activities and a self-assessment checklist on AWERB functions in general, knowledge of the establishment's AWERB and personal factors including 'soft skills'.

See also this supplement, which addresses inductions into AWERBs run fully or partly online. There are other helpful ideas for relevant training activities in the RSPCA/LASA Guiding Principles to Help Deliver the Ethics Learning Outcomes of Module 2 for Personal Licensees.

This Scientist-AWERB Engagement Pack includes good practice tips for scientists, AWERB members and chairs; ideas for activities to understand different people's perspectives; and ideas for survey questions to evaluate scientists' perceptions of their AWERBs. The good practice tips are also helpful for AWERB member inductions - why not add them to your induction pack?

Inductions should always include a visit to the animal unit (if this can be done safely and without stressing animals) - this resource will help members get the most out of their visits.

New lay members (and other types of members) will find this infographic helpful.

All the AWERB's tasks are set out in the RSPCA/LASA Guiding Principles on Good Practice for AWERBs - do all the members have a copy?

Here is a helpful guide to the tasks for your lay member(s).

How did it go, or do you have any tips for other AWERBs? Please let us know using this anonymous Padlet, which will not collect your personal data.

For more information on the ethical review and the RSPCA's work in the area, see our ethical review web pages.