Safeguarding overview

Whilst all face-to-face Scout meetings, activities and events are suspended, the Safeguarding Team are aiming to keep their service 'business as usual' as far as possible in the current climate. They recognise that there may be subjects who await outcomes to remove them from suspension and in these uncertain times, the safeguarding process may add to their anxiety. Therefore, the team propose that Commissioners utilise technology available to them to continue with necessary parts of the safeguarding process.
 
The team are all operational from home, and with communication continuing through the 020 8433 7164 telephone number and safeguarding@scouts.org.uk and vetting@scouts.org.uk email addresses, communication is all being monitoring as usual.  Safeguarding Officers and National Managers can also be contacted via direct dial and/or email.
 
The safeguarding team therefore recommend:

Where possible these should be carried out via a video conferencing tool or if/where appropriate phone. This will need the subjects/individual permission and agreement, confirmed by email and shared with the Safeguarding Team. This should also include supporter/liaison who also should be present, as usual. The subject/individual should be informed that a record of the meeting will be made and later shared by email and agreed by participants, and then shared with the Safeguarding Team. It’s important to take account of any special requirements and make sure that all reasonable adjustments are identified, agreed and put in place. It’s recognised that conducting local enquiries without face-to-face contact will not be possible for all. If any young people need to be involved, advice must be taken from the Safeguarding Team prior to this as parents must give permission, be present and involved in all communication.

Where possible these should be carried out via a video conferencing tool or if/where appropriate phone. This will need the subjects/individual permission and agreement, confirmed by email and shared with the Safeguarding Team. This should also include supporter/liaison who also should be present, as usual. The subjects/individual should be informed that a record of the meeting will be made and later shared by email and agreed by participants, and then shared with the Safeguarding Team. It’s important to take account of any special requirements and make sure that all reasonable adjustments are identified, agreed and put in place. It’s recognised that conducting local enquiries without face-to-face contact will not be possible for all. As per the usual process, the AAC/AAP form should be completed and forwarded to appropriate Commissioner and then forwarded to the Safeguarding Officer.

Commissioners are encouraged to have correspondence via email, and avoid posting letters and documents where possible. Letters to subjects and copied to Commissioners which would usually be sent by the post, will be password protected (different from the usual password) and emailed from the Safeguarding Officer, cc the Commissioner, with the password sent separately.

The Safeguarding Team feel that in the current climate, these adjustments to our usual practice are reasonable adjustments to ensure that the team can continue to progress their caseloads and expedite outcomes appropriately. If anyone has any questions please speak to the allocated Safeguarding Officer, or via 020 8433 7164 / safeguarding@scouts.org.uk and the team will be happy to assist.