How we keep young people safe
We know how daunting it can be for a parent or carer packing a young person’s overnight bag and waving them off at the gates. And we know it doesn’t necessarily get easier as they grow.
Young people thrive in secure surroundings, at home and away. Wherever we go, we’re serious about keeping them safe.
As a parent or carer, you’re bound to have questions about how we do this. Read on to find out more.
All our volunteers give their time freely to help young people thrive. Some volunteers lead their group week in and week out. Others call in occasionally to share a specific skill, or provide an extra pair of hands – whether they’re abseiling down mountains, helping a group of eight year olds build a robot, or expertly remembering how everyone takes their tea.
All of our leaders are interviewed locally and asked to provide references. They undergo the mandatory training they need to be the best they can be, including basic first aid and safeguarding. Special training is provided for those taking young people away on residential events like camps and sleepovers.
We also have strict rules in place to ensure that everyone who works with young people either regularly, on a night away activity or unsupervised is vetted and holds a satisfactory criminal records check.
As Scouts, we have a Safeguarding Code of Conduct we expect all adults to abide by, known as the ‘Yellow Card’. This code is shared with all adults who interact with young people – regardless of their role – and is included in the training leaders receive.
The code of conduct is below:
Do remember that you are a role model at all times, inside and outside of Scouts. You must set a good example for others to follow.
Do treat everyone with dignity and respect in line with the Scout Values.
Do treat all young people equally – do not show favouritism
Do follow the adult-to-young-people ratios at all times.
Do remember that you have been placed in a position of trust – do not abuse this trust.
Do report all safeguarding concerns directly to the Safeguarding Team as soon as possible, and always within 24 hours
Do contact the Safeguarding Team if you receive details of any statutory agency (for example, the police, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or children’s services) involvement regarding a member.
Do remember that someone may misinterpret your actions.
Do respect children’s and young people’s right to personal privacy.
Do encourage an open and transparent culture, where people challenge or report behaviour that is not in line with this code.
Do make everyone aware of our safeguarding arrangements. Share our Yellow Card with volunteers, parents and guardians, and display it where meetings take place.
Do create an environment where children and young people feel safe and able to voice their concerns.
Do have separate sleeping accommodation for young people and adults, as well as young leaders working with a younger section.
Do plan activities that involve more than one other person being present. If that’s not possible, make sure other people can see and hear what’s going on.
Do not plan to be alone with a child or young person in Scouts, either online or in person.
Do not drink alcohol when you are directly responsible for children and young people in Scouts, and never allow under 18s to drink alcohol on Scout activities
Do not trivialise concerns or abuse.
Do not let concerns or abuse go unreported. Contact the Safeguarding Team, especially if you feel your concern has not been taken seriously.
Do not join in physical contact games with children and young people.
Do not overstep the boundaries with children and young people by being involved in friendships or personal relationships with them.
Do not allow activities that encourage bullying behaviour, including initiation ceremonies, dares or forfeits.
Do not use inappropriate, suggestive or threatening language, whether verbal, written or online.
Do not rely on your reputation or position to protect you.
Do not get involved with a safeguarding concern if you have a personal friendship or family connection with those involved. Step back and tell the Safeguarding Team about the connection.
Safeguarding and Safety are two of our key policies that anyone involved in Scouts must follow. You can see the full policies in our Policy, Organisation and Rules section:
Each Scout Group is composed of different ‘sections’ – which may include a
- Squirrels Drey(4-6 years)
- Beaver Colony (for 6-8 year olds),
- Cub Pack (for 8-10 ½ year olds),
- Scout Troop (for 10 ½-14 year olds),
- Explorer Unit (for 14-18 year olds) and
- Scout Network group (for 18-25 year olds).
The Group Leadership Team is responsible for overseeing and supporting volunteers in each section and managing the Scout Group.
The District Lead Volunteer is responsible for a wider geographical area, such as a town or part of a larger city or county.
If you’d like to contact your Group or District Lead Volunteer, ask your local leader for their contact details or speak to the Scout Support Centre on 0345 300 1818.
If you’re unhappy with anything relating to your child’s time in Scouts, you should raise it immediately with your local leaders, no matter how trivial it may seem.
If you’d rather speak to someone else, contact the Scout Support Centre.
All leaders taking young people away will give you notice, ask for your permission and provide you with a way of contacting the group while they’re away.
All residential activities (such as camps and sleepovers) are required to have at least two adults present, unless the young people involved are participating in an expedition or event where adults are not expected to attend at all. We’ll always tell you if there is to be no adult presence for a particular activity, and we’ll never ask to take individual young people away on their own.
No young people under the age of 18 are allowed to consume alcohol while they’re taking part in Scout activities.
You can read the Green Card which sets out our policy on alcohol for all adults involved in Scouting
The world is constantly changing. Technology is constantly evolving. Society puts pressure on young people to experience new things, but that can also make them feel vulnerable and unsure about the world around them.
Our STAY SAFE leaflets contain information for young people about how to stay safe online and in the real world, and gives them all the age-specific information they need to report anything that makes them feel worried, scared or upset.
- Stay Safe (Beavers, aged 6-8)
- Stay Safe (Cubs, aged 8 to 10 ½)
- Stay Safe (Scouts, aged 10 ½ to 14)
- Stay Safe (Explorers, aged 14 to 18)
We’ve also put together some videos on safeguarding for Beavers and Cubs, and for Scouts and Explorers.
The NSPCC advises parents and carers to be wary of:
- Activities where parents are discouraged from staying to watch or becoming involved.
- Activities or behaviour that encourage rough play, sexual innuendo or humiliating punishments.
- Individuals who take charge and operate independently of organisational guidelines.
- Individuals who show favouritism or personally reward specific children.
- Encouragement of inappropriate physical contact.
- Poor communication and lack of parental involvement, leaving you feeling uneasy.
- Children who drop out or stop going for no apparent reason.
- Invitations for children to spend time alone with staff or volunteers (or even to visit their home).
We agree wholeheartedly with the NSPCC and would not expect any of this behaviour to occur in Scouts.
As always, if you have any concerns, please raise them immediately with your child’s leaders, or – if you’d rather speak to someone else – contact the Scout Support Centre on 0345 300 1818.
The world is constantly changing and there’s always new ways to communicate with friends, explore the world and get connected. Society puts pressure on young people to experience new things, but that can make them feel vulnerable and unsure about the world around them.
Discover the list of organisations and resources which you can share with young people.