1st Bloxham Scout Group Code of Conduct & Expected Behaviours for all Sections

In Scouting, we’re guided by our values and we’re committed to creating a positive experience for everyone. 

Most children and young people will behave in challenging ways at some point. 

Feeling upset, angry, stressed or disappointed is a normal part of life. 

Because we develop our ability to manage our emotions as we grow up, children and young people do sometimes act out when they’re going through big feelings. 

In response to their emotions, they may display a range of behaviours. 

However, there are some actions that are not acceptable and may lead a child to be asked to either accept the groups code of conduct or stop being part of the group.

Examples of Behaviors that are not accepted include the following:

Hitting or kicking others (children or the adult volunteers).

Not following instructions from leaders (as this could create a health and safety risk).

Acting in a way that could cause injury or damage to themselves, others or property.

Swearing at another young person or Adult Volunteer.

Sending abusive messages to other members of the group.

There may be incidences where a young person does not want to take part in a certain activity.  

This is normal and acceptable, however, in such circumstances the young person must still follow the instructions of the Adult volunteers e.g. sitting at the table, sitting on a seat within eyeline, etc.  

They are NOT allowed to disrupt the activity taking place, leave the supervised area, act in a disruptive manor so that the adult volunteers need to supervise the child individually (as this stops them supervising all the other children under their care),  or act in an abusive way to other young people or the Adult volunteers. 

Our Group Code of Conduct and Expected Behaviours for all young people joining the group is as follows:

In order to be a member of the 1st Bloxham Scout Group to the best of my ability, I will agree to: 

• Listen to instructions, as they are given for my safety.

• Use positive body language. This means no hitting or hurting other children. 

• Use positive and appropriate language. This means I cannot say rude words or swear words

• Speak with a Leader when I am not feeling ok.

• Try my best to cooperate in tasks and activities

• Show Scouting Values of Kindness, Integrity, Care, Respect, Belief and Co-operation.

• Not touch others in a way that makes them feel worried, uncomfortable or upset. 

• If someone says ‘No’ or ‘stop’ that means I must listen and do this straight away. 

I understand that if I break these rules this may mean I cannot attend Scouting activities (including group meetings, overnight camps and activities) and may mean I will not be allowed to be part of the group. 

It is the Parents'/Parent's/Carer's responsibility to ensure that the young person has a good understanding of these rules and that they agree to abide by them.

Breaking the group Code of Conduct

Nobody wants a young person to be excluded from Scouting activities, however, if a young person does not follow the group code of conduct then the matter will be escalated, which could result in the young person not being allowed to attend either section meetings, additional activities such as camps or both (resulting in not being allowed to be part of the Scout Group).

Firstly, the Adult volunteer section team will raise the matter with the Group Lead Volunteer.

The Group Lead Volunteer is individually responsible for a young person attending the Scout group or not.

The Group Lead volunteer will listen to the concerns of the Adult volunteer section and reveiw this against the Group Code of conduct and expected behaviours and if there seems to be an matter of concern then the Group Leade Volunteer will advise the Section Leaders on the appropriate action.

These actions could include: 

Emailing the parents/carers of the young person to arrange a meeting (phone, video call or in-person) where the behavior issues can be discussed.  

In this meeting (attended by the Group Lead Volunteer, a Section Volunteer and the parents/carers of the young person, NOT the Young Person themselves), the section leader will inform the parents/parent/carer of the young person about the issue and the expected behavior.  

It is expected that the parents/parent/carers of the child will then discuss the expected behaviors with the young person before the next section meeting.

The young person will then be considered under observation during meetings and  the Section  leaders will report each week to the Parents/Parent/Carers and the Group Lead Volunteers about the behavior of the young person (by email) for at least 3 meetings/activities.

If the young person continues to behave in a way that goes against the spirit of the Group Code Of Conduct and expected behaviors then the Group Lead Volunteer may make the decision to exclude the young person from some or all further activities or meetings.  If this is the case then the Group Lead Volunteer will email the parents/parent/carers of the young person to discuss this exclusion, which will be followed up by an official email from the Group Lead Volunteer to the parents/parent/carer explaining the exclusion of the young person from the given activities/meetings and if required, exclusion from the Scout Group.