Safety and Safeguarding

How we keep your child safe

Our adults are responsible for making sure that our Programme is fun and exciting. They also make sure that it is safe. Our policies, rules, code of behaviour and advice on child protection and safety are there to ensure our young people stay safe while they enjoy themselves and learn.

Safeguarding

All our adult volunteers are required to hold an enhanced disclosure certificate (DBS). In addition, they are trained in safeguarding and our code of behavior. They are provided with a card “Young People First”, providing the code of behavior

The Scout Association Safeguarding Policy can be found here.

In January Scouting released its latest review of how we keep our young people and adults safe. As of 1/1/24 the Scout Association Safeguarding policy requires that all safeguarding concerns must be reported directly to the UK HQ Safeguarding team in line with the new Yellow Card (the version is identified by the words 1 January 2024 v8 on it). There is further information on how to report a safeguarding concern on the National Scout Website here

Safety

In addition, Scouting Leaders undergo regular first aid training, safety training as well as additional training to ensure that, as far as reasonably practicable, Scouting activities are undertaken with the welfare of young people are protected (including anti-bullying policies).

The Scout Association Safety Policy can be found here

Raising a concern about Safety

We want everyone who comes into contact with Scouting to have a positive experience. However, on occasions, concerns may arise which require investigation.

If your concern is about a matter within one of our local Scout Groups please contact the Group Lead Volunteer for that group. The Group Lead Volunteer is the manager of scouting activities within the Scout Group. They will listen to the concerns and will do their best to answer your concerns.

If you feel for whatever reason that you do not want to discuss the matter with the Group Lead Volunteer, or if they cannot deal with your concerns to your mutual satisfaction,  then please contact us using this form,  selecting Safety Concern :  Contact us!   This will route directly to our District Lead Volunteer for follow up.

Making a complaint about Scouting

Scouting has a National Complaints Policy which we follow as a District. Details of the policy can be found here

If you are considering making a complaint about Scouting, please refer to the Making a complaint about Scouting page on the National Scout Website which can be found here