Safety & Wellbeing

“young people have the right to protection from all forms of violence.  They must be kept safe from harm and they must be given proper care by those looking after them”  - Article 19 - United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Young Person

Safety & Wellbeing is at the heart of everything that we do in Scouts, so it’s at the heart of everything we do at ScotJam.  We believe that everyone at ScotJam has the right to a positive experience.  This means that there are a number of policies, rules and procedures that, like all of Scouting, we must follow.  

All our volunteers are experienced, and have the training and checks mandated by the Scouts, including a PVG and Safeguarding training.  

Promoting Positive Behaviour

At ScotJam, we believe in fostering a positive and supportive environment for all participants. We understand that young people may sometimes exhibit challenging behaviours. In these instances, our approach focuses on understanding the young person and the reason behind the behaviour. This allows us to develop a fair and appropriate consequence, which we will always discuss with the participant beforehand.

We understand that young people may exhibit challenging behaviours at times. Our volunteer staff will follow a procedure to address these situations fairly and supportively.

1. A familiar adult will discuss with the young person the observed behaviour in a calm and understanding manner.  The focus will be on helping the child understand why their behaviour is inappropriate and how to behave positively.  Depending on the situation, a short break or time-out for reflection might be implemented.
   
   

2. If the behaviour persists, the adult will have another conversation with the child, reiterating positive expectations.  The Event Leadership Team will be notified at this stage.

3. In case of repeated inappropriate behaviour, the Event Leadership Team will intervene alongside a familiar adult.  Further consequences will be determined, and parents/carers will be contacted to discuss the incident.

4. Should a young person's behaviour become severe or pose a safety risk, the Event Leadership Team will assess if their continued presence at ScotJam is appropriate.  Removal from the ScotJam might be necessary.  Parents/carers will be responsible for arranging transportation, and no refunds will be provided for behavioural dismissals.

We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants. By following these procedures, we can address challenging behaviours constructively while prioritising the well-being of all children.

Missing Home / Homesickness

Many young people experience homesickness in some way.  At ScotJam the first people to handle homesickness is the house team who have the main responsibility for all young people in their dorm/lodge.  Families will be contacted if necessary and at the discretion of the house team.  

We want participants to have fun and enjoy the full ScotJam experience.  Here are a few key tips families can use to set participants up for success … 

• We recommend that you don’t tell your young person they can leave early if they don’t like ScotJam as it could set your young person up for failure. 

• Give information to the ScotJam Team beforehand about what works for your young person e.g.  behaviour triggers and coping strategies. 

• Help your young person understand that they will not have routine communication with you during the event, but they will have loads of stories to share with you afterwards.

Digital Devices (including Phones & Smart Watches)

Digital Devices are to be left at home for ScotJam!  

ScotJam is all about adventure, making memories and friendships.  We believe technology can be a distraction.

There are also safety concerns, such as unwanted photos or videos being taken.  Additionally, Scout Adventures Lochgoilhead has limited storage and charging facilities for numerous devices.

At ScotJam, we encourage participants to fully immerse themselves in the experience and build new connections. A week away can be an adjustment, but it's also a fantastic opportunity for personal growth and independence. 

For quick updates on your young person's experience, we'll be providing regular photo updates and event summaries on Social Media 

If there are particular circumstances where you feel communication with your child might be necessary, please discuss these with the ScotJam Team in advance. This will allow us to create a plan that meets your needs while minimising disruptions to the program.

We understand there may be urgent situations, and if that arises, please get in touch and we'll be happy to facilitate communication.

We want the friendships that are made at ScotJam to extend beyond ScotJam, so we will provide each young person with an Address Book, to note down the contact details of any other young person they want to stay in touch with.  Your young person may wish to bring a note of any phone number or social media handle that they would be comfortable sharing with new friends - the House Team can keep this safe until the end of the week. 

ScotJam is also a chance for a digital detox! Our ScotJam volunteers will be actively minimising their tech use, except for essential needs to ensure a safe event.

Medication

If your young person requires to take any medication as ScotJam, please make sure this is recorded on the Participant Information form.  Participants must ensure that they have any required medication with them to ScotJam.  

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our participants, we have a clear policy on medication at ScotJam. 

• All medication, except for emergency medication, must be handed to the volunteer team for safe storage and administration throughout the duration of ScotJam.  

• All medication must be labelled (participant name and accommodation) with clear instructions. If your child is travelling by bus, medication should be handed to the Leader in charge who will be identified at the pick-up points.  For participants travelling via car, medication should be handed to the House Team upon check-in.
  
  

• Young People (or their designated leader/volunteer) must carry any emergency medication, such as epipens & inhalers at all times.  If your young person uses an inhaler, please consider bringing a spare. 

We understand that some young people may be capable of managing their own medication. However, to ensure consistency and avoid any potential issues, we kindly ask that all medication, except for emergency use, be handed to our volunteers for safekeeping and administration.

Participant Information

We’re required to collect information about your young person, to ensure that we’re able to meet their needs and get in touch with family should we need to.  

This information includes … 

• Emergency Contact
  We require the contact details of two different people.  Both of whom should be reachable for the duration of ScotJam and at least one should be able to travel to Scouts Adventures Lochgoilhead (or a medical establishment) if required.
  
  

• Medical Information
  Details of any medical conditions and/or medication the participants will be required to have with them at ScotJam.  All participants with prescribed medication must bring it with them, even if they don’t normally use it at home - for example inhalers.  

• Dietary Information
  To ensure we can meet your young person's needs, please let us know about any dietary requirements they have, such as allergies, intolerances, medical diets or cultural requirements.  We can cater for almost all requirements providing we are notified in advance. 

• Participant Profile
  We want to make sure all young people have a positive experience at ScotJam! Sometimes young people communicate their needs and feelings through their behaviour. We understand that all behaviour is a form of communication, and to provide the best support, we ask for some information about your young person in the Participant Information Form.
  
  This information helps us understand how to best support your child. While our volunteers are experienced, they don't know your child personally. Knowing things like how they typically respond to new situations or challenges helps us create a comfortable and positive environment.
  
  This element of form is optional, but the more you share, the better we can tailor the experience to your young person's needs. Think about what their Scout Group or School might know about them.

We collect Participant Information using the form below, this form should be completed by Friday 14th June.  

🌐 ScotJam Participant Information Form

The data that you provide to us is securely stored and will be kept for two months after the event for any queries that arise before being securely destroyed.