Child Protection Policy

It is the policy of The Scout Association to safeguard the welfare of all Members by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm.

The Scout Association is committed to:

• taking into account in all its considerations and activities the interests and well-being of young people;

• respecting the rights, wishes and feelings of the young people with whom it is working;

• taking all, practicable steps to protect them from physical, sexual and emotional abuse; and

• promoting the welfare of young people and their protection within a relationship of trust.

Child Protection Training

It is very encouraging to know that more than 850 adults involved in Scouting, in Berkshire, have registered on the NSPCC Keeping Children Safe Programme. The programme consists of three short modules, which are easy to understand and can be completed in a minimal amount of time, at home. On completion, participants gain a certificate from the NSPCC and keep the three glossy handouts for future reference.

Workshops around the County Since the beginning of this year, Child Protection Workshops have been held in South Berks, Maidenhead, Loddon, East Reading, Reading Central and Pang Valley, at the invitation of District Commissioners.

The Workshops concentrate on our responsibilities within Scouting and aim to reinforce the Association’s Child Protection Policy, increasing our awareness to protect children whilst protecting our selves. Practical situations are discussed and the value of our ‘Yellow Card’ demonstrated.

If workshops have not been arranged for your District, please contact your District Commissioner in the first instance, or ask if you might join one in a neighbouring District.

Future Workshops in 2006

Tues 19th September Windsor and Eton 7.30 – 9pm

Thurs 12th October Maidenhead & District 8 – 9.30pm

Thurs 19th October Windsor and Eton 7.30 – 9pm

Tues 7th November SE Berks 8.15 – 9.45pm

Sat. 11th November Windsor and Eton 3 – 4.30pm

Tues 14th November Reading Districts 8 – 9.30pm

Thurs 16th November Reading Districts 8 – 9.30pm

Wed 22nd November Reading Districts 8 – 9.30pm

Tues 12th December Maidenhead & District 8 – 9.30pm

Please contact me regarding any Child Protection matters. I hope that I can help. email me

Chris Croton Berkshire County Child Protection Co-ordinator

Child Protection Workshops

Scouting provides adventure and fun and one of the key policies of the Scout Association is to ensure the fun by safeguarding the welfare of all members by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm.

There are four components you can undertake as part of an Child Protection Issues awareness raising programme across Berkshire.

Ensure that all adults (occasional helpers, skills instructors and all warranted leaders) have a copy of the Scout Association's Yellow Card Young People First more

All adults concerned with Scouting should undertake the NSPCC Keeping Children Safe, Child Protection Awareness Programme more

All new Adult Leaders should commence training as soon as possible to include the Child Protection Module

All adults concerned with Scouting in Berkshire should attend one of the Child Protection Workshops entitled Young People First - Working Safely with Children more

Contact Chris Croton, the Child Protection Coordinator for more information. email me

Keeping Children Safe

Keeping Children Safe is designed for any adult in Scouting whose involvement brings them into contact with our youth membership - Leaders, Commissioners, Helpers, Skills Instructors, service crews, parent helpers, etc. This short programme works by helping individuals increase their understanding of the unique role they play in keeping children safe from harm.

The Keeping Children Safe programme uses a distance learning technique that ensures that, wherever an individual is located, everybody receives a consistent message, at a time and place that suit. The programme comprises three short modules; each with an accompanying questionnaire, in a multichoice answer format, designed to reinforce the key learning points. When all modules have been completed, participants receive feedback that enables them to check their answers and confirm their understanding of the programme. The programme material builds into a high quality reference handbook which participants retain and individuals who successfully complete the programme receive a certificate of completion from the NSPCC.

Click here for details on how to register for the NSPCC Keeping Children Safe Programme

Young People First

The Scout Association requires Adult leaders to follow the following code of behaviour which is provided to each Adult on a yellow pocket-sized card. Copies of the card are available at no cost from the Information Centre.

Do put the 'Young People First' guidance into practice

Do treat everyone with respect

Do provide an example you wish others to follow

Do plan activities, which involve more than one other person being present, or at least are within sight or hearing of others

Do respect a young person's right to personal privacy

Do have separate sleeping accommodation for leaders and young people

Do provide access for young people to talk about any concerns they may have

Do encourage young people and adults to feel comfortable and caring enough to point out attitudes or behaviour they do not like

Do avoid situations that compromise your relationship with young people and are unacceptable within a relationship of trust (e.g. a sexual relationship between a leader and a youth member over the age of consent)

Do remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well-intentioned

Do recognise that caution is required even in sensitive moments of counselling, such as when dealing with bullying, bereavement or abuse

Do NOT permit abusive peer activities (e.g. initiation ceremonies, ridiculing, bullying)

Do NOT play physical contact games with young people

Do NOT have any inappropriate physical or verbal contact with others

Do NOT jump to conclusions about others without checking facts

Do NOT allow yourself to be drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviour such as tantrums or crushes

Do NOT show favouritism to any individual

Do NOT make suggestive remarks or gestures, even in fun

Do NOT let suspicion, disclosure or allegation of abuse, go unrecorded or unreported

Do NOT rely on just your good name to protect you

Do NOT believe "it could never happen to me"