Code of Behaviour

There is a little yellow sheet called "Young people first: Safeguarding - a code of practise" which leaders are expected to have with them at all times. Inside outlines what is expected from leaders. When it was given to me, I was told that most of the items were common sense yet they still give it to all new leaders: read into that what you will.

I see why they do this (so the SA can say that they are covered if something does go belly up when it comes to child safeguarding) but it's almost an insult that as a Cub leader in the south, I need to carry around a piece of paper telling me to "treat everyone with respect" and "avoid a sexual relationship with a young person" like if it weren't for this sheet I'd be calling everyone a nob and chatting up every person in sight.

Anyway: here a few of my favourites which you will inevitably find me ranting about in the Travs sometime over the next couple of years (some are paraphrased). Most of them are just a sad reflection of the world we live in today:

- Activities must be carried out in sight and hearing distance of other leaders.

For us, this would mean that Scout leaders can't work with a group in the small hall by themselves, I think?

- Do encourage others to challenge attitudes or behaviours they do not like.

What does this even mean?

- Do not allow initiation ceremonies.

This would mean no teabagging in the 8th....

- Do not take part in physical contact games with young people.

Dare I say, frisbee?

- Do not make threats - even in fun.

On a serious note, I hope what the 8th can take from this is just to be aware of how precaution the SA is when it comes to child safeguarding. Maybe the 8th isn't this strict because we are a singular organisation, compared to the SA who has hundreds of thousands of members in hundreds of groups, so we have a better verbal communication between leaders regarding what is acceptable and what is not? Idk... make your own conclusions,