It is the policy of The Scouts to safeguard the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk by protecting them from neglect and from physical, sexual and emotional harm. The Scouts understand that individuals thrive in safe surroundings so we are committed to ensuring that Scouting is safe and enjoyable for everyone involved and that safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and The Charity Commission requirements.
This policy:
It is the responsibility of all adults involved in Scouting to have read and understood the Safeguarding Policy & Procedures and the Safeguarding Policy & Procedures must be adhered to at all times. All breaches of the policy and procedures will be dealt with within in line with Policy, Organisation and Rules, and the Safeguarding Processes and Procedures.
All volunteers in Scouts must complete their Safeguarding training within the first five months of their role start date (as recorded on Compass) and then renewed every three years.
Our Safeguarding training ensures that our volunteers understand how to keep young people and adults safe in Scouts and includes how to recognise abuse and report concerns.
Click here to access our online safeguarding training.
The Scouts sets out to deliver everyday adventure and develop skills for life in a growing movement of adult volunteers and young people aged 5-25, in the UK and internationally.
The Scouts recognises that life is not risk-free, and in its turn Scouting is not risk-free. As Scouts, we believe that our members benefit most from our activities when we manage these risks to wellbeing to be as low as is reasonably practicable. Identifying and proportionately managing risk is a skill for life that we wish to kindle, develop and enhance in all of our members.
All those involved in Scouting must, so far as is reasonably practicable and to the extent of their role, ability and understanding;
All volunteers in Scouts must complete their Safety training within the first five months of their role start date (as recorded on Compass) and then renewed every three years.
Our Safety training ensures that our volunteers understand their responsibilities for keeping everyone in Scouts safe and how to assess and manage risk.
Click here to access our online safety training.
Assessing risk in order to reduce or remove it is at the heart of safe Scouting and is present in everything we do. Remember risk assessment is something we all do every day in deciding to cross a road or get out of the car, so no one should be scared of doing a risk assessment within Scouting. Resources are provided to help provide simple and practical guidance on this issue.
Click here to read more about planning and assessing risk.
There are also some useful tips to ensure we offer a safe experience through our programmes, nights away, events and within our premises:
It is important to know what to do in an emergency and for all involved in an activity to be on the same page with what is going to happen. It is also important to have clear processes for reporting of incidents, both locally, nationally and where appropriate to other agencies.
Click here to read more about what to do in an emergency.
You can also click on the image below to download safety cards, which are a helpful reminder of key policies and procedures.
An explorer, adventurer and TV presenter, Dwayne's been seen in BAFTA nominated Channel 5 series Race to the Pole, on BBC Springwatch, Countryfile, National Geographic and Disney+.
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