Coronavirus/Covid-19 – Getting back together safely
As lockdown measures start to ease, the Association has worked with youth sector partners to understand what a safe return to face-to-face activities will look like as the readiness level reduces. From 6 July, the rules in England have changed and we are moving to the amber readiness level, alongside the rest of the youth sector. Leaders need to be included in this maximum group size number
This means that you will be able to organise Covid-19-safe, face-to-face activities outdoors only with a maximum group size of 15. However, there are strict conditions:
- Leaders must be included in the maximum number in the group
- No young person or adult volunteer can move between different groups of 15 on the same day
- This is for all Sections except for Scout Network, as the rules cover under 18s only. Scout Network must follow the same rules as other adults in social settings
Remember:
- No face to face activity can take place until you have done all the preparations to ensure a safe return, and these written risk assessments and plans have been approved by the District (this will take at least a week). We have produced a Word version of the assessment for you to use. Download it here
- Residential activities are not currently permitted
- Read all the guidance and steps that need to be taken before any face to face activity can resume
Scouting at Home
We shall be sharing ideas on activities for young people to do at home with their parents. Look out for this here.
Thank you
A big thank you from Tim Kidd, our UK Chief Commissioner and from Alan Wilding and the Chester team for everything you do for Scouts. By checking and following the latest Government advice and by taking a calm and measured approach, we can continue to ensure that young people and adults stay safe.
This is a complex time for our entire Scouting family and we all need to hear each other’s voices and to stay engaged as much as possible with our youth members and volunteer colleagues during this unique situation. Click on the Scouting at Home link below for ideas.
We are all in this together and the District Team are here to support you. The Team willl be checking in with all Groups and Sections frequently throughout the suspension period and will take all possible steps to help support you and your teams.
Click below for:
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HM Government’s announcements
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Scout Association briefings
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NHS web site
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Scouting at Home
ideas for activities for young people to do at home with their parents -
Coronavirus – How to Stay Safe (A4 poster)
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Advice from Mind on mental health and wellbeing
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Advice from the World Scout Bureau
Safeguarding and Safety
Young people or their parents/carers can make a report to the police in the UK about inappropriate sexual contact online such as ‘grooming’. See the CLICK CEOP button below.
Safeguarding in the Scouts
Adult volunteers who participate in regulated activity require a disclosure check. The Scout Association has reviewed all volunteer roles against the criteria for regulated activity which is defined as:
Teaching, training or instruction of children, carried out by the same person frequently (once a week or more often), or on four or more days in a thirty day period, or overnight
Or
Day to day management or supervision on a regular basis of a person providing this activity which would be regulated if unsupervised
Some roles fall outside regulated activity and do not require a disclosure check. The remainder meet the requirements of the legislation and will require an appropriate level of disclosure check. Compass helps to automate this process: when an adult volunteer is assigned a role it will know what checks need to be processed. Renewal reminders will also be automated for those roles that require it.
Adult volunteers who work with vulnerable 18-25 year olds in Scouting need a disclosure that is checked against both the adult and child register. This can be arranged on that volunteer’s behalf by contacting vetting@scouts.org.uk.
When a new adult is entered onto the system there will be two options for disclosure checks. If the applicant does not have any identification documentation with them and they have an email address then they can be sent an email with a temporary username and password which allows them to log into the disclosures system and choose the identification documentation they have available which meets the minimum requirements. Once they have selected sufficient identification the system will inform them of this; they can then arrange a meeting with the person initiating the disclosure who will then check and verify the identification documents. The other option is to enter the details straight away if the applicant does have their identification documentation with them.
Safeguarding downloads
Carry the yellow card with you and make sure you follow its guidance on our safeguarding policy. You can download a copy of the card using the link below – and copies are available at the District Centre. Click on the links below for more resources.
- Yellow Card
- Safeguarding Training Arrangements
- On line Safeguarding Training
- Data protection (including use of social media and photography)
- Guidance for parents on responding to cyber bullying
Beat bullying
BeatBullying has partnered with The Scout Association on an exciting new anti-bullying initiative. As part of this, through an easy two-stage process, BeatBullying will train Section Leaders to become BeatBullying Champions, providing them with the tools and resources they need to keep their young people safe, and empower them to take positive action to help make bullying unacceptable. Read more »
Safe Scouting
Carry the purple card with you and make sure you follow its guidance in an emergency. Contact the District on 07736 430660 if you are dealing with an emergency. Copies are available at the District Centre or you can download one from here.
You can also download copies of the Staying Safe checklists for Leaders, Managers and Executive Committees:
Risk Assessment
Scouting and Alcohol
The green card provides a checklist on our policy on alcohol for all adults in Scouting. Pick up a copy at the District Centre or you can download one from here.
