Rules, who needs em?
Unfortunately, we all do. Without them we would have no way of knowing what will happen next.
For instance, if the rule about driving on the left side of the road was ignored, mayhem and death would no doubt occur. Similarly, if we took away an activity rule, (such as wearing a climbing helmet when climbing) the result would be similar, although probably not on the same scale. Rules are for our own safety. Young people join scouting for activities, challenge and adventure. We need to make sure we fulfil those needs and wants, but in the safest possible way. All leaders must follow best practice to ensure the safety of young people.
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Scouting has a set of rules which are designed to ensure the safety of all members. Some may appear to be obvious, others less so. However, most rules are made because accidents or injuries have happened from missing the obvious or doing stupid things.
All the rules of The Scout Association are in a publication called Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR for short). Most of the rules are about how Scouting works and how it is made up. In POR there are a number of rules about all types of activities: water, air, land and creative. Some activities have a large number of rules, such as air rifle shooting. This is because there are a lot of laws controlling the sport. Our rules aim to simplify these laws and help you stick to them.
Some rules in POR are supported by factsheets. These are available as free downloads from Scout Stores. Whilst many of the factsheets give useful advice or ideas, a considerable number of them give quite specific safety guidelines, such as the Aerial Runway Code, for example. These kinds of factsheets should be considered as extensions to the rules in POR.
Anyone taking Members of The Scout Association on an activity must be aware of the rules as they affect that activity.
Some activities are forbidden to take part in as a member of The Scout Association. This may be for several reasons. For instance, hang gliding was forbidden when it first started as it had no set guidelines and safety standards - accidents and even deaths were fairly common. As experience in the sport grew the equipment became better produced and pilots became more experienced and therefore the sport as a whole became safer. As this happened over a period of years, hang gliding became an acceptable activity and was permitted for our Members. A similar thing is happening to bungee jumping (jumping into mid-air with support from a giant elastic band tied to the ankles). This sport is considered highly dangerous, equipment is extremely varied, and there is no central body controlling it. Owing to the accidents and the technical inability of some companies undertaking this sport, the activity is banned to Members of the Movement. Who knows, one day this might change as the sport becomes more popular and better controlled?
Activity rules
Before leaders in your group offer a particular activity you must first check if there are any special rules. These may include age restrictions, parental or carer permission or leader ratios. In some cases, the Association has decided that a particular activity is not appropriate for its Members. Having checked the rules there are two ways to offer adventurous activities to Members of the Movement, either:
- within Scouting, using our own Members
- using professional instructors/or other organisations.
- The adventurous activity authorisation scheme
This is the Association's formal scheme to approve people who lead the following activities:
- air activities
- caving
- climbing & abseiling
- hill walking in Terrain One and Two
- off-road cycling in Terrain One and Two
- snow sports in Terrain One and Two
- water activities (except 'C' class waters)
Policy, Organisation & Rules
With approximately 9,000 Scout Groups in the United Kingdom and its dependent territories, a support structure is clearly necessary.
Policy, Organisation and Rules (referred to as POR), defines the structure of Scouting in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man and provides information about its management and training.
POR also provides support and guidance to help us all run Scouting. It is revised at least once a year to ensure it includes updates and important changes.
The latest version of POR is available to view and download HERE.
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Introduction
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Fundamentals of Scouting
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Key Policies
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The Scout Group
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The Scout District
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The Scout County
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The structure of The UK Headquarters of
The Scout Association
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Emergency Procedures
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Insurance
- Activities
- Uniform, Badges and Emblems Awards and Recognition of Service Flags and Ceremonial
- Trusteeship, Property and Equipment Other matters
- Complaints, Suspensions and Dismissal
- The Appointment Process and Safeguarding and Vetting Guidance Decision Table
Safeguarding young people
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.
We are committed to:
- Taking the interests and well-being of young people into account, in all our considerations and activities.
- Respecting the rights, wishes and feelings of the young people with whom we work.
- Taking all reasonable practicable steps to protect them from neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
- Promoting the welfare of young people and their protection within a position of trust.
All adults in scouting, including members of the scout network who wish to work with young people, are responsible for putting this policy into practice at all times.
An adult in Scouting has a responsibility to ensure that young people are protected from harm. It is the responsibility of each adult in Scouting to ensure that:
- Their behaviour is appropriate at all times.
- They observe the rules established for the safety and security of young people.
- They follow the procedures following suspicion, disclosure or allegation of child abuse.
- They recognise the position of trust in which they have been placed.
- In every respect, the relationships they form with the young people under their care are appropriate.
'Young People First' code of practice (yellow card)
To give positive guidance, the 'Young People First' code of practice (also known as the yellow card) sets out a code of behaviour for all adults in Scouting.
Every adult should have a copy of the 'Young People First' code of practice. It is designed so you can keep it with you at all times during Scouting activities.
Check that:
- You have your own copy.
- All other adults involved in working with young people have a copy.
- You have a copy displayed in your HQ or meeting place (large copies are available from Scout Shops).
Parents and carers are made aware of the yellow card and our child protection policy by giving out the ‘safe & sound’ leaflet with your welcome packs (available free of charge from Scout Shops).
Safety matters!
It is the responsibility of all those involved in scouting must, so far as is reasonably practicable and to the extent of their role, ability and understanding; that all activities are conducted in a safe manner without risk to the health of the participants.
We, of course, recognise that life is not risk-free, and in turn scouting is not risk-free. As scouts, we believe that our members benefit most from our activities when we manage these risks to wellbeing to be as low as is reasonably practicable. Identifying and proportionately managing risk is a skill for life that we wish to kindle, develop and enhance in all of our members.
More information can be found in the association's safety policy.
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Ultimately, your District Commissioner is responsible for all activities that take place in your District. They are responsible either formally through our authorisation scheme or informally your Group Scout Leader.