The safety of all our members is extremely important to us.
We have strict policies and procedures in place to make sure young people and adult volunteers can enjoy Scouting safe from harm.
Child protection
The Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003 places legal obligations on The Scout Association to check adults volunteering /offering to work in a child care role against the Disqualified from Working with Children List.
In order to comply all adults who want to help in Scouting on a regular basis as Warranted Leaders or Certificated Section Assistants will be subject to an enhanced level criminal record check by way of Disclosure Scotland.
Parents/guardians who help out on an occasional basis may be required to undergo an enhanced level criminal check depending on the role or responsibility they take on.
Anyone who wants to help must sign a declaration stating that they are not disqualified from working with children.
Safety
It is the policy of The Scout Association to provide Scouting in a safe way without risk to health, so far as is reasonably practicable.
This includes making sure that:
* activities are conducted in a safe way without risk to the health of participants
* the provision and maintenance of equipment and buildings for members and others is safe and without risk to health and adequate for their welfare
* information, instruction, training and supervision is provided with the purpose of ensuring the health and safety of all those involved in Scouting activities or who may be affected by them
* appropriate arrangements are made to ensure safety and the absence of risks to health in connection with the use, transport, storage and handling of equipment, and substances which are inherently or potentially dangerous.
Anti bullying
Children have the right to protection from all forms of violence (physical or mental). They must be kept safe from harm and they must be given proper care by those looking after them.
[The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 19]
The Scout Association is committed to this ethos and we have measures in place to help prevent any member being bullied.
These include making sure that adults in Scouting:
* are aware of the potential problems bullying may cause
* are alert to signs of bullying, harassment or discrimination
* take action to deal with such behaviour when it occurs, following Association policy guidelines
* provide access for young people to talk about any concerns they may have
* encourage young people and adults to feel comfortable and caring enough to point out attitudes or behaviour they do not like
* help ensure that their Group/Section has a published policy or charter on bullying.