This page details our policies regarding safeguarding, safety, photography and our waiting list. Our Privacy Policy can be found here.
Safeguarding
It is 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.
We are committed to:
- Taking the interests and well-being of young people into account, in all our considerations and activities.
- Respecting the rights, wishes and feelings of the young people with whom we work.
- Taking all reasonable practicable steps to protect them from neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
- Promoting the welfare of young people and their protection within a position of trust.
All adults in Scouting, including members of the Scout Network who wish to work with young people, are responsible for putting this policy into practice at all times.
An adult in Scouting has a responsibility to ensure that young people are protected from harm. It is the responsibility of each adult in Scouting to ensure that:
- Their behaviour is appropriate at all times.
- They observe the rules established for the safety and security of young people.
- They follow the procedures following suspicion, disclosure or allegation of child abuse.
- They recognise the position of trust in which they have been placed.
- In every respect, the relationships they form with the young people under their care are appropriate.
We want everyone in Scouts to be safe and happy. If you are worried about a young person, or have concerns about an adult involved in Scouts, please tell a Leader or the District Commissioner immediately.
Safety
It is the policy of The Scout Association to provide Scouting in a safe manner without risk to health, so far as is reasonably practicable.
The Association believes that this responsibility ranks equally with the other responsibilities incumbent upon those providing Scouting activities and functions.
In accordance we are committed, so far as reasonably practicable, to ensure that:
- All activities are conducted in a safe manner 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 object 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.
We expect that:
- All persons involved with Scouting accept their responsibility for the operation of the Association’s Safety Policy.
- They do not endanger the health and safety of themselves or others.
- They observe the rules established for the safety of those involved in Scouting activities.
Photography
At 37th Wolverhampton Sea Scout Group events and activities, members of our leadership team, other members of the Scout Association and members of the public may be taking still and moving pictures. Pictures used by 37th Wolverhampton Sea Scout Group will only be used in accordance with Scout Association guidelines. Pictures taken by our leadership team may be used during and after the event/activity in Scouting publications, and in local newspapers, on websites or in other media channels. Local newspapers and TV stations may also attend events/activities to provide external media coverage.
Anyone attending any of our events or activities or giving permission for their child to attend an event or activity should note that attendance at the event or activity signifies their consent for pictures of themselves/their child to be used in line with the above policy. If you have specific concerns in this regard, please contact a Leader.
Waiting List
From time to time, we may be required to hold prospective members on a Waiting List to join one of our Sections, due to a Section being at maximum capacity at that time (due to volunteer numbers, building constraints or other restrictions).
When a Waiting List is in place, available places will be offered on a regular (half-termly or termly) basis to individuals on the Waiting List who are old enough to join, when meeting the following criteria in order of descending priority:
- An existing active member of our Group who is moving up to the next Section.
- An existing active member of The Scout Association who has moved house so that they now live closer to our Group than any other Group.
- An individual who has an immediate family member already volunteering in our Group or the Scout District.
- An individual with one or more siblings who are already active members of our Group. Each child must still be registered on the Waiting List.
- An individual whose parent/carer newly volunteers to help our Group or the Scout District. The level of commitment required will be determined, but will be expected to be reliable and sustainable. This allows us to increase our capacity for more young people.
- The individual who has spent the longest time on this Waiting List.
If none of the above criteria can differentiate two individuals, it will be at the discretion of the Group as to which individual is offered a place first. Factors under consideration may include the age of an individual, if they will not have sufficient time to progress in a Section before moving up, they will then be given priority joining the next Section where possible. Section Leaders will normally consult with the Group Scout Leader, whose decision will be final.
Our Waiting List is managed at Group level, therefore if your child becomes too old for one Section they will automatically be considered for the next. Throughout this process, we recommend you to look at other local Scout Groups who may have capacity, in order to get your child to join Scouts as soon as possible.
Volunteering with us will allow us to open more places for young people, and is good for you too. Click to find out more about how you can support us to welcome more young people.