Safe Scouting — What to do in an emergency

This card is for all Scout volunteers. It contains essential information, so always keep it to hand.

In an emergency, follow these steps and guidance.

Key points

• Do keep a record of any actions and communications, including details of others who may have seen what happened.
• Do keep calm and ask for support where needed. Don’t try to handle things on your own.
• If appropriate, take pictures of the location sensitively to help record what happened. This will help you remember the details and assist with learning.
• Don’t be concerned about establishing fault.
• Do refer all news and social media posts to the UK Duty Officer and seek support by calling UK Headquarters before talking to the media.
• Don’t initiate contact with the news media or post on social media (and discourage others from doing so).
• For any safeguarding concerns, follow the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card).

Local reporting and what to do

• Inform your Lead Volunteer. Get in touch with your Group or District Lead Volunteer as soon as possible.
• Record what happened. Record the key facts clearly and accurately. Write them down or take photos or videos, if appropriate.
• Keep the records safe. They may be used to support safety learning reviews or be requested after the incident.

Incident severity definitions

• Near miss: Unplanned event which has the potential to cause harm but did not on this occasion.
• Reportable incident: An incident requiring medical intervention (e.g. pharmacist, GP, hospital, urgent treatment centre, clinic, or dentist), or involving emergency service rescue, or damage to third-party property.

Safeguarding code of conduct for Young Leaders

In Scouts, the safety and welfare of children and young people is our priority. Everyone has a duty to report safeguarding concerns. Young Leaders must follow this safeguarding code of conduct to help keep children and young people safe from harm.

Remember what you learned in your Young Leader training about keeping yourself and other young people safe.

If a child or young person tells you something concerning

If a child or young person tells you about something that’s concerning them, or you’re worried about their safety or wellbeing, you must do the following:

1. Let them speak without interruption, and accept what they say.
2. Be understanding and reassuring, but don’t give them your opinion.
3. Tell them you’ll try to help, but that you must pass on what they’ve told you to help keep them safe.
4. Write down what was said using the actual words used.
5. Tell an adult leader, or the UK HQ Safeguarding Team, as soon as you can.

Help and support

There’s help and support available and if you’re in any doubt about what to do, you can contact the UK HQ Safeguarding Team — they’re there to listen.

• Call the UK HQ Safeguarding Team on +44 (0)20 8433 7164 (9am–5pm, Monday to Friday) or email safeguarding@scouts.org.uk.
• If it’s urgent and outside of the above times, call +44 (0)345 300 1818.
• If there’s something worrying you and you would just like to talk to someone, call Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk.

Code of conduct — Do

• Remember that you are a role model. Other young people, particularly younger sections, will look up to you as a Young Leader so you must set a good example for them to follow.
• Listen to other young people if they have a worry or a concern. It’s important that you (and other young people and Young Leaders) tell an adult leader or the UK HQ Safeguarding Team about anything that makes you (or them) feel uncomfortable.
• Treat all young people equally and with respect, in line with the Scout values. It’s important not to have favourites.
• Say “stop” if you feel an activity is unsafe. Know your limits and stay safe.

Code of conduct — Do not

• Plan to be alone with a young person or group of young people, either in person or online. Remember, there should be at least two adults present at any Scouts activity.
• Join in physical contact games with children and young people.
• Have romantic or sexual relationships with anyone in the section.
• Use substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, vapes and illegal drugs, and never allow other young people to use them on Scout activities.
• Sleep or get changed in the same area as adults or young people in the section.
• Allow bullying behaviour, including initiation ceremonies, dares or forfeits. It’s important that you (and other young people) tell an adult leader or the UK HQ Safeguarding Team about any bullying behaviour.
• Use inappropriate, suggestive or threatening language, whether verbal, written or online.

Scouting and alcohol

This card sets out our policy on alcohol for all adults involved in Scouting.

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.

Checklist for adults

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.

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 Scouting 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.

If you would like more information, contact your line manager or the Scout Information Centre: phone 0345 300 1818, email info.centre@scouts.org.uk.