Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
As Scouts, we are guided by these values:
– Integrity – We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
– Respect – We have self-respect and respect for others.
– Care – We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
– Belief – We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
– Co-operation – We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends.
The 1st Barnham Behaviour Policy has been developed taking into account West Sussex Behaviour Policy and is intended for use only in exceptional circumstances to address persistent challenging behaviour or continued breaking of the Code of Conduct,
This policy should be reviewed annually.
First Stage – Section codes of conduct
1. All sections will operate a code of conduct (a code) that they feel is appropriate for their particular section. This code should be put together with the involvement of the young people in the section.
It is up to each individual team leader to decide whether or not young people and parents should be asked to formally sign up to their code (some section leaders may feel that it is sufficient for the young people/parents/carers to be provided with a hard copy and told that it is available on the Group website).
These should be displayed on the section noticeboard specifically drawn to the attention of new members who should also be provided with a hard copy.
Team leaders will carry out a annual review of their code and include discussions about its importance in their programmes.
2. Significant individual breaches and repeated (2 or more) minor breaches of a section’s code by a young person will be raised with the parents/carers by the team leader. The parents/carers will be advised at this stage that if the young person’s behaviour does not improve, the issue may be passed to the Group Lead Volunteer to be dealt with under the Group’s formal disciplinary procedure (see second stage below).
A team leader can, where they think it appropriate, involve another leader in any conversations with parents/carers and follow up in writing in order to maintain a record of events.
3. All breaches of a section’s code (except any deemed trivial by the team leader) will be reported to the Group Lead Volunteer as and when they occur, together with the details of any conversations with parents/carers. This will be the case even if, at that point in time, there is no intention to invoke the disciplinary procedure.
4. Any incidents involving violent, threatening or abusive behaviour towards other members of the section (including leaders/ other team members) and deliberate acts that put adults or young people at serious risk of harm will automatically be reported to the Group Lead Volunteer to be dealt with under the Group’s disciplinary procedure.
Section code of conduct / behaviour
– Barnham Beavers Code of Behaviour (November 2024)
– Walberton Beavers Code of Behaviour (2024)
– Barnham Cubs Code of Behaviour (Jan 2023)
– Walberton Cubs Code of Behaviour (Jan 2023)
– Ghost and Phantom Scout Troops Code of Conduct (April 2023)
Second stage – Group disciplinary procedure
1. The second stage is the Group’s formal disciplinary procedure and is common across all sections.
2. Once a case has been referred to him/her, the Group Lead Volunteer will carry out a review including conversations with the team leader and any other assistant leaders/helpers involved. The Group Lead Volunteer will then, if he/she thinks it appropriate, issue a written warning letter (WWL) to the parents/carers (1) setting out the details of the behaviour concerned and the action taken to date by the team leader, and (2) making it clear that, if the young person’s behaviour does not improve, they may either be excluded from section meetings for a specified period, or, in extreme cases, asked to leave the Group. The WWL will also invite the parents/carers to meet with the Group Lead Volunteer in order to discuss the matter.
3. If, following a WWL, the young person continues to misbehave, the Group Lead Volunteer will issue a second letter (a disciplinary action letter or DAL) giving details of all the incidents of unacceptable behaviour that have occurred since the issue of the WWL, together with any action taken by the section leader.
The DAL will also advise the parents/carers that the young person is to be excluded from a specified number of section meetings. In serious cases, the young person may be required to leave the Group.
4. In extremely serious cases (see point 4 of the first stage), the Group Lead Volunteer can move straight to the issue of a DAL. In these circumstances, the DAL should invite the parents/carers to meet with the Group Lead Volunteer in order to discuss the matter.
5. Once issued, a WWL remains in force for a calendar year and will follow the young person concerned if they transfers between sections. Consequently, any breaches of a section’s code in that twelve month period will result in the issue of a DAL.
Safeguarding
1. The Group follows the Scout Association Child Protection Policy. It is the Policy of the Scout Association to safeguard the welfare of all members by protecting them from physical, sexual or physical harm. We call it “Young People First”. Child Protection is of paramount importance to us. The “Young People First” code of practice is on display at the Group HQ and a smaller ‘Yellow Card’ should be carried by all adult Leaders. Young Leaders carry a similar ’Orange Card’ issued by the Scout Association.
2. All Adults in Scouting at the group, including Members of the Scout Network who wish to work with young people, must accept and understand this policy. They must also agree to put the Association’s policy on child protection into practice. Leaders and Young Leaders must attend regular safeguarding training.
3. As part of that protection, all adults who could have unsupervised access to young people must undergo an enhanced DBS check (or any requirement which replaces DBS checks).
4. Child Protection also includes protection from bullying. It is the Group’s policy that bullying in any form is unacceptable and at this group we strive to have in place rigorous anti-bullying strategies in accordance with the Scout Association Anti-Bullying Policy.
5. Remember that any behaviour that represents a serious threat to the welfare of others should be reported through the Child Protection procedures (Yellow Card).
Version 2.1 – Approved by the Group Trustee Board on 7th October 2024.