BEHAVIOUR POLICY

This behaviour policy applies to leaders, children and parents

All the group’s section leaders are parent volunteers who devote a considerable amount of their personal time to training, planning and preparing activities for your children to give them opportunities to grow and develop through activities and games.

We accept that the children are not in School; however we do expect the same level of respect to be displayed toward both the leaders and other members within the group as they would teachers.

Parents shall act responsibly, showing its volunteers a degree of respect, support and understanding. If a parents actions cause upset or are found to be inappropriate then the matter will be addressed.

Our meetings are for a short period of time each week and it is unfair on everybody if time is wasted trying to maintain control when it is one individual causing the disruption.

The discipline procedures that we implement will ultimately involve the parents as the children will generally behave better when being watched but mum or dad.

In a worst case scenario, and we will do everything in our power to avoid this, a persistently disruptive child will have to leave the group.

The basis of the policy is for the young people to follow the PROMISE that they made when they were enrolled in the section. They must also follow the guidelines of the Scout Method which can be found below of this Policy along with the Scout Association’s Child Protection and Anti-Bullying Policy.

A young person should not be invested unless they show that they understand the promise which usually takes several weeks before they demonstrate this.

To allow this to occur we will only take new people into the group at the start of a school term and they will not be invested until a 4 week period has been completed (satisfactory attendance for 4 meetings) . During this period the young people will learn about Scouting, get to know the leaders and learn about our Behaviour Policy.

There may be a genuine reason for a child to exhibit behavior which under different circumstances could be deemed to be disruptive. We need to know in advance to enable us to have adequate leaders in place to deal with this. You may be asked to assist in these circumstances.

As leaders of the Scout Movement we are required to operate within the framework of the Scout Associations Policy, Organisation and Rules. You may hear us talk about P.O.R.

This document is available for anyone to download and view at the Scout Association web site.

Behaviour Code

I will keep to the following behaviour code and understand that not doing so will result in a warning or yellow card
We will come along to meetings regularly, on time and in proper uniform.
We will come to meetings to enjoy ourselves, have fun, understanding that we all need to respect each other and the promise that we have made.
We will join in and work as a team particularly when in our Lodges / Sixes / Patrols.
Leaders and young people will listen to and respect each other.
No one will make fun of anyone else because of their colour, religion or level of ability.
No one will make a noise or cause disruption during quiet times, ceremonies, when games are being explained or during training sessions.
If a leader requests quiet then everybody will pay attention.
Beavers / Cubs / Scouts will accept instructions from Adult Leaders / Lodge Leaders / Sixers / Patrol Leaders. If there are any questions they must be asked considerately such as by raising your hand.
No one will deliberately break the rules or disrupt games or activities. NO CHEATING.
We all accept that Scouting involves a training program and NO disruption will take place during instruction periods.
In any game where people are out the young people will accept the decision if it is given against them.
If we are warned about our unacceptable behaviour we will stop it immediately.
Nobody will deliberately damage property belonging to the Scout Group or another person.
There will be NO bullying, harassment or picking on ANYONE.

Verbal Warnings

Notifications
If the behaviour of a young person, group of young people or adult is considered to have fallen below that stated in the ‘Behaviour Code’ that person/s involved will be asked by a leader to stop. If the poor behaviour continues then the leader may give up to two official verbal warnings. Upon the second verbal warning they will be informed that if their behaviour does not improve a Yellow Card will be issued.
The leader may choose to talk to the parents after a session in order to establish a possible underlying cause.

Yellow Cards

If the behaviour of a young person or group of people has already been corrected twice with official verbal warnings and another is required in one session then a Yellow Card will be issued. The young person/s involved will have to sit out for a time period suitable for the sections of the child and depending on the incident.

Parents will be notified at the end of the session that their child has received a yellow card and leaders shall not be drawn into lengthy discussions. Leaders shall only state that an email shall be sent to the parent/s containing the reasons behind the card issue.
The Group Scout Leader will be notified that the Yellow Card has been issued.

Parents must respect the leaders’ decision to issue yellow card.
Any appeal must be put in writing to the Group Scout Leader.

Red Cards

A Red Card will be issued after 2 Yellow Cards and a 3rd verbal warning OR if a leader sees a deliberate act to cause harm to another person/s or wilful damage.

Parents will be notified at the end of the session that their child has received a red card and leaders shall not be drawn into lengthy discussions. Leaders shall only state that an email shall be sent to the parent/s containing the reasons behind the card issue. This email will also state that the young person involved will miss the next meeting even if that is a paid event.
The Group Scout Leader will be notified that the Red Card has been issued.
If a second Red Card is issued the parents will be invited to help at the meetings. If the parents decline to assist the matter will be discussed with the executive committee with respect to terminating the membership of the young person involved.
If the parents assist at meetings and a third Red Card is issued the matter will be discussed with the executive committee with respect to terminating the membership of the young person involved.
If it becomes necessary to terminate the membership of a young person through repeated poor behaviour the Group Scout Leader will discuss the reasons with the parents and notify the District Commissioner.
Leaders are responsible for recording when yellow/red card cards are issued and ensuring that parents are kept fully informed of their children’s behaviour.
Parents must respect the leaders’ decision to issue a red card.
Any appeal must be put in writing to the Group Scout Leader.

The Scout Method

Scouting uses a Method, which is young people in Partnership with adults:

enjoy what they are doing;
learning by doing;
participating in varied and progressive activities;
making choices for themselves;
taking responsibility for their own actions;
working in groups;
taking increasing responsibility for others;
taking part in activities outdoors;
sharing in prayer and worship;
making and living out their Promise.

The Child Protection Policy

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. Accordingly The Scout Association is committed to:

Taking into account in all its considerations and activities the interests and well-being of young people;
Respecting the rights, wishes and feelings of the young people with whom it is working;
Taking all reasonable practicable steps to protect them from neglect, physical, sexual and emotional harm;
Promoting the welfare of young people and their protection within a relationship of trust.

The Anti-Bullying Policy

"Children have the right to protection from all forms of violence (physical and 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 seeks to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the prevention of all forms of bullying among Members. To this end all Scouting activities should have in place rigorous anti-bullying strategies.

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