Safeguarding and Safety

Scouting's code of practice, setting out the safety of young people as our priority, is also known as the Yellow Card.

It's a commitment we make as leaders for respect, well-being and protection of all our people within a position of trust.

It's important we all remember the procedures to follow if you have a safeguarding concern, refer to the Yellow Card.

To download an electronic copy of the Yellow Card click here. For a paper copy please contact gsl@1stharpendenscouts.org.uk

Safe Scouting and what to do in an emergency...

The Purple Card provides support for safe Scouting and guidance in the procedures for dealing with an emergency.

• If someone suffers a personal injury or illness requiring a doctor, nurse, paramedic, dentist or hospital, you must inform the Group Scout Leader, the District Commissioner and Scout Headquarters at the earliest opportunity. This means that if you take a young person to A&E whilst on camp for example, this reporting procedure must be followed.

• Remember, always nominate a Leader in charge and consider what you need for this vital strategic role for all Scouting activity.

• Put Safety on the Agenda – thinking about safety should happen all the time.

• Use Accident Books to record incidents and accidents.

To download an electronic copy of the Purple Card click here. For a paper copy contact the Group Scout Leader.

Our world is becoming more on-line and digital, and new perils appear with increasing frequency. So, to keep up to date with the latest advice and guidance on this, please could every leader read the sections on this Digital Safeguarding page for advice on photography, video, emails and text messaging and Staying Safe Online.

Bullying of any description whether directed at Young People or Adults is unacceptable so please report it to your Section Leader and/or the GSL and refer to information on the Scout Website.

Needs to be valid to be allowed to unsupervised access to young persons. Practically speaking this means that any new leaders who have not yet received a valid DBS certificate must be accompanied by another leader who does have a valid DBS certificate.

We have a DBS Administrator who will organise ID checks and update the Atlantic Data system. The DBS Administrator's contact details are on DropBox.