FAQs

Young people thrive in safe surroundings. We’re committed to ensuring that Scouting is both enjoyable and safe for everyone who takes part, along with providing parents with peace of mind.

Appointing those who work with young people

All volunteers who help to run our activities give their time freely to help young people enjoy Scouting.

Leaders are interviewed locally and asked to provide references. Everyone working with young people in Scouting is asked to undertake a Criminal Record Check, sometimes known as a ‘police check’.

Code of behavior

We have a clear code of behavior which is given to all adults working in Scouting, regardless of their role. This is also included in the training that leaders receive and offers advice about how young people should be treated. We expect everyone to follow it.

If you volunteer to help out with an activity, you’ll be given one too, and if you would like to see a copy of the code of behavior for adults, just ask any of your child’s leaders.

Training

We expect all leaders to take courses in basic first aid and child protection. Special training is provided for those taking young people away on residential events like camps and sleepovers.

Outings and camps

All leaders taking young people on outings or camps will give you notice in writing, ask for your permission and provide you with a method of contacting the group while they are away.

We will never ask to take individual young people away on their own or without another adult being present.

What to do if you have concerns

If you are unhappy with anything relating to your child’s time in Scouting you should raise it with your child’s leaders, or our District Commissioner. If you would rather speak to someone else, please contact the Scout Information Center on 0845 300 1818.

The Scout Association also has a complaints procedure

For more information view our Safe and Sound Leaflet for parents.

Our Values

As Scouts we are guided by these values:
 

• Integrity: We say what we mean and when we make a promise, we keep it.
• Respect : We listen to others, explore our differences and work to find common ground.
• Care : Scouts are friends to all and think of others before themselves.
• Belief: We believe passionately in improving the lives and life chances of young people and helping them explore and develop their beliefs and attitudes.
• Cooperation : Scouting is about teamwork. We believe that when we work together we achieve more than we can on our own.

Our Approach

As a County, our priority is to build on the accessibility and quality of Scouting already available by carrying out actions to achieve the goals we have set against the four objectives of Growth, Inclusivity, Youth Shaped and Community Impact.

Our goals and actions follow a simple plan outline for the coming years -

• High quality, inspiring programmes will be delivered through sections, coordinated by group structures in which adult volunteers are supported by district roles and activity. Assistance with wider geographical coordination and further support to adults, programme resource or additional opportunity will be enhanced by county organised activity.

• Support functions will be provided centrally across the county wherever possible, backed up by district provision if needed, responding to group needs for growth and the ability for sections to focus on the most effective delivery of programme, equipping more young people with skills for life.

• We strive to improve every area of our delivery, management, support and governance each year, each month, each day through setting achievable goals then sharing and learning from our Scouting experiences across the county.