Looking After Your Child

Child protection
Young people thrive in safe surroundings. We’re committed to ensuring that Scouting is both enjoyable and safe for everyone who takes part, along with providing parents with peace of mind.

Appointing those who work with young people
All volunteers who help to run our activities give their time freely to help young people enjoy Scouting. Leaders are interviewed locally and asked to provide references. Everyone working with young people in Scouting is asked to undertake a Criminal Record Check, sometimes known as a ‘police check’ or DBS.

Code of behaviour
We have a clear code of behaviour which is given to all adults working in Scouting, regardless of their role. This is also included in the training that leaders receive and offers advice about how young people should be treated. We expect everyone to follow it.

Leader training
We expect all leaders to take courses in basic first aid and child protection. Special training is provided for those taking young people away on residential events like camps and sleepovers.

Outings and camps
All leaders taking young people on outings or camps will give you notice in writing, ask for your permission and provide you with a method of contacting the group while they are away. We will never ask to take individual young people away on their own or without another adult being present. All activities are risk assessed and if require lead by a qualified activity instructor.

Privacy Policy (GDPR) and Photos

To operate we are required to store and process Personal and Sensitive Personal Data. We have a thorough and detailed data Privacy Policy and every effort is taken to take care of the data we store for our members. All data regarding you child is only kept for the period that they are in Scouts with us, and are held securely. The data is not shared with anyone outside the Scout Association and is only used for the safe and effective running of our activities. If you have any questions about this please contact our data controller at membership@20th.org.uk.

Photos are only used to show the activities our sections have taken part in and in local promotional purposes. Names are never used publicly. You can update your photo permissions on the OSM.

What to do if you have concerns
If you are unhappy with anything relating to your child’s time in Scouting you should raise it with your child’s leaders. If you would rather speak to someone else, please contact the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818.

The Scout Association also has a complaints procedure, which can be found at scouts.org.uk/contact-us/raising-a-concern/making-a-complaint-about-scouting.