All of our adult Leaders follow clear safety and child protection procedures. The B-PSA offer a range of internal training courses including Child Protection, First Aid, hillwalking etc. Additionally, they learn the necessary skills required to organise a Group or Section within Traditional Scouting.
Many of our Leaders go on to do further external training in key specialist areas like Canoeing or Mountain Leadership.
Are criminal-record checks carried out on adults helping within groups?
All Leaders and those who have unsupervised access to children have to complete a check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) - formally this was the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).
In addition to criminal-record checks, all volunteers are asked to complete our Warrant Application form. This involves:
- Providing four referees who can confirm the volunteer's suitability to work with specific age groups.
- Disclosing any criminal convictions involving children and/or young people or involving dishonesty/deception.
- Signing a declaration that they agree to abide by the Association’s Child Protection Policy.
- When a volunteer has been with us for three years, he/she has to complete a renewal form, which, once again, requests details regarding any criminal convictions.
Are Leaders being rechecked by the DBS on a regular basis?
As a parent, can I ask to see references/disclosures relating to adults working in my Child's section?
All information held regarding adults in Scouting is held in confidence. We are governed by criteria laid down in the Data Protection Act and the DBS Code of Practice regarding retention and disposal of personal data.
When a new volunteer joins B-PSA UK he/she does not have unsupervised access to children until all the necessary checks have taken place. Once the checks are complete, a volunteer is issued with a Warrant and Membership card which any volunteer would be more than happy to show you.