It is the Policy of The Scouts to safeguard the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk by protecting them from neglect and from physical, sexual and emotional harm. The Scouts understand that individuals thrive in safe surroundings so we are committed to ensuring that Scouting is safe and enjoyable for everyone involved and that safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and The Charity Commission requirements.

This policy:

1. applies to all adults including the Board of Trustees, volunteers, paid staff, agency staff and anyone working on behalf of The Scouts

2. recognises that the welfare and interests of children, young people & adults at risk are paramount in all circumstances, and

3. aims to ensure that all children, young people & adults at risk have a positive and enjoyable experience of Scouting in a safe and person-centred environment and are protected from abuse whilst participating in Scouting and otherwise.

It is the responsibility of all adults involved in Scouting to have read and understood the Safeguarding Policy & Procedures.

The Safeguarding Policy & Procedures must be adhered to at all times.

All breaches of the policy and procedures will be dealt with within in line with POR and the Safeguarding Processes and Procedures. 

See the Scouts Safeguarding Policy & Procedures for Young People and Adults at Risk 

Young People First - THE ORANGE CARD 

The Orange card is a code of practice for young people. It's the policy of The Scout Association to safeguard the welfare of all members by protecting them from neglect and from physical, sexual and emotional harm.

Quick links

• Young People First - Yellow card 

• Safe Scouting Cards 

Guidance for Young Leaders

As a Young Leader you will get the chance to start experiencing what it is like to  be a Leader in Scouting, but you need to remember to keep yourself and others safe. Your Section Leaders are responsible for your safety and welfare during meetings and events, and should make sure that you are always appropriately supervised.  You should never be left alone with young people.

Remember the three principals of staying safe:

1. Set an example for others to follow.

2. Pass on any concerns you have about young people or adults.

3. Keep yourself safe and have fun.

What do I do if…?

If a young person tells you they are being abused, or they raise a concern about their safety or well-being, you should do the following:

1. Allow the young person to speak without interruption and accept what they say.

2. Tell them that you will offer support but that you must pass the information on to an adult leader who will be able to help them.

3. Immediately tell an adult leader.

4. Make a note of what was said and give the information to the same leader.

If you have a concern about a young person’s safety and well-being, or there is a concern or complaint about an adult or yourself, you should do the following:

1. Immediately tell an adult leader

2. Make a note of the facts as you know them and give information to the  same leader

Code of behaviour

• Do keep to this code at all times.

• Do treat everyone with respect.

• Do set an example for others to follow. Do treat all young people equally – do not show favouritism.

• Do run activities with more than one adult leader present and tell them where you are and what you are doing at all times.

• Do make sure you have separate sleeping accommodation - do not share with young people or adults.

• Do allow young people to talk about any concerns they may have and encourage everybody to talk about any attitudes or behaviours they do not like or feel comfortable with.

• Do know your limits and stay safe – do not put yourself in unnecessary danger.

• Do remember this code at sensitive moments, for example when helping someone who has a concern or may have been bullied or bereaved.

• Do remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, even if you  mean well.

• Do take concerns about the safety and well-being of young people seriously and pass them on to an adult leader immediately.

• Do not allow abusive activities, for example initiation ceremonies or bullying

• Do not take part in inappropriate behaviour or contact, whether physical, verbal or sexual; for example play fights, insults, or obscene gestures.

• Do not form a romantic relationship with a younger youth member or adult leader.

• Do not take part in physical contact games with young people, even if you are running them.

• Do not engage with any inappropriate attention seeking behaviour, for example flirting and tantrums.

• Do not make suggestive remarks or threats to a young person, even in fun.

• Do not drink alcohol or smoke on Scouting activities.

• Do not use inappropriate language when writing, phoning, emailing or using the internet (including social media).

• Do not let allegations, suspicions, or concerns about abuse go unreported.

Emergency: What do I do?

In the event of an incident:

1.  Deal with the immediate situation and alert the appropriate emergency services, if required.

2.  Alert your Commissioner or their designate:

3.  Alert the emergency contact of those individuals involved.

4.  If you are abroad, alert any agencies required by the insurers.

5.  For incidents involving air activities or water activities in coastal or deep  sea waters notify the appropriate government agency.

6.  Inform UK Headquarters at the earliest opportunity if:

• Someone suffers a personal injury or illness requiring a doctor, nurse,  paramedic, dentist or hospital.

• Someone requires an emergency service rescue. 

• Third party property is damaged. You will need to provide basic information about the incident including information about the injured party, what happened, where it happened and who is reporting the incident.

In the event of a critical incident (one involving loss of life, near loss of life or collapse of a structure):

1.  Deal with the immediate situation and alert the appropriate emergency services, if required.

2.  Alert UK Headquarters (you will need to provide a basic overview of  the incident, who is involved, where the incident occurred and Group information). A Critical Incident Manager will assist you and guide you through the management of the incident.

Key points:

Do keep a record of actions and communications, including details of others who may have seen what happened.

Do keep calm and ask for support where needed.

Do refer all news media to the Duty Media Officer and seek support before  talking to the media by calling UK Headquarters.

Don’t make any admission of liability.

Don’t initiate contact with the news media.

Don’t try to handle things on your own.

Download the purple card 

Safe Scouting: a code of practice

Do ensure all activities are approved, run and supervised in accordance with POR (Rule 9.1).

Do identify hazards and discuss how they will be managed to reduce risk (see the Activities - Risk Assessment factsheet; Staying Safe checklists for managers, Executive Committees and section leaders).

Do find the most effective and appropriate way to communicate the risks and controls identified.

Do ensure all meetings, events or activities have an identified leader in charge that oversees the activity and all adults and young people. This includes responsibility for registers, headcounts, allocation of roles to specific adults and checking they are aware of their specific responsibilities (see leader in charge info at scouts.org.uk/safety). The best way of doing this is for all adults who will be involved in the activity to agree which one of them will undertake this role. Do – give young people and adults appropriate training, guidance and rules.

Do be prepared to deal with accidents (have a first aid kit, a robust InTouch system and relevant emergency contact details).

Do consider any additional needs of those taking part.

Do review an activity if conditions or equipment change significantly.

Don’t be afraid to stop or alter an activity being run by you or another leader.

Don’t put your needs above those of young people. Ensure activities are appropriate for the young people involved.

Don’t ignore concerns expressed by adults or young people.

Don’t assume that someone else is managing safety – always check.

Support and planning

• Carry out a risk assessment, relevant to the size and nature of the event.

• Consider drawing up a code of conduct before events where alcohol will be present.

• At longer events, consider how drinking alcohol might affect someone’s ability to carry out their Scouts duties or participation in activities over time. For example, if someone drinks excessively off duty, they may not be fit to carry out their duties or participate in activities the following morning.

• Brief all young people and adults on the standards of behaviour expected from them. 

• Take care to be clear which adults are responsible for the young people when there is a mix of adults present who may or may not be drinking alcohol.

• Consider running alcohol-free events.

• Consider the cultural and religious observances or needs of those taking part in the event.

• Members of the Scout Network or a Scout Active Support Unit are expected to follow the same rules as adult leaders.

• Help young people and adults understand the issues associated with alcohol and how to find information and advice.

Drinking alcohol can put adults in a compromising position regarding their responsibilities for safeguarding and their duty of care. Also, as an adult in Scouting you are a role model for young people. When adults are responsible for young people, they must not drink alcohol.

During Scouting events attended by young people under the age of 18, the following rules apply.

• Under 18s must not drink alcohol under any circumstances.

• There must be the correct ratio of adults responsible for young people at all times.

• If you are responsible for young people you must not drink alcohol.

• If you are not directly responsible for young people, and you do drink alcohol, you should still follow the Yellow Card (our safeguarding code of practice).

• If you are drinking when ‘off duty’, you should consider  how alcohol may affect your ability to carry out your Scouting duties when back on duty. 

• Young people must know who is responsible for them at all times.