Info Book 2021

Scouts Victoria Info Book 2021 February Update 1 Scouts Victoria Info Book 2021 Contents Digital Info Book A digital version of our Info Book is available to download from the Forms and Tools page of our website. It is also available on the Scouts Victoria App. The digital version will be updated regularly, please send any updates through to [email protected]. Cover: 1st North Balwyn Scouts hiking the Overland Track, Tasmania. Photo: Nigel Woodman 2 Scouts Victoria Info Book 2021 Child Safe Scouting Scouts Victoria is a child safe organisation with zero-tolerance It is important that the young people in our care are safe, and for any harm, abuse or neglect. We value the diversity of our that they feel safe. It is also important that adults are safe. The members, including gender, sexuality, race, religion and ability. following behaviours are unacceptable by Adults in Scouting. Scouting has been proactive on child protection since the 1930s, • Any form of physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, when local areas were warned to be vigilant and show no mercy cultural, racial or religious abuse. in denying membership to unsuitable people. In the 1940s local • Entering an area where children are changing or areas were advised that any inappropriate behaviour must be showering, or entering youth members’ tents or sleeping reported to the police. Police checks for aspiring Scout Leaders areas on camp when young people are in bed (without a began in the 1960s – nearly 50 years before the Working With valid reason, such as an emergency). Children Check. • Transporting an individual youth member alone (unless Today, Scouts Victoria has an extensive Child Safety Framework, their own child, or in an emergency). which includes: • Communicating one-on-one with youth members outside • Our Child Protection Policy, which outlines our of Scouts through text messaging or via social media. expectations for supervision and Leader ratios – including • Developing special relationships, including one-on-one ‘Two Deep’ leadership requirements to protect youth. catch up sessions for missed Scouting activities. • Mandatory training and renewal of training. • Distributing inappropriate materials via any channel. • Training materials and support for youth members. • Engaging in discussions with young people that are not • Reporting practices. age-appropriate. • Capability and process to respond to Child Safety • Encouraging the use or consumption of alcohol, smoking, Incidents. or use of illicit substances by youth members. • Information and fact sheets. • Being under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances • Participation in the National Redress Scheme. while undertaking duties as an Adult in Scouting. • Participant in the Victorian Reportable Conduct Scheme as • Behaving towards a youth member in a manner that makes administered by the Commission for Children and Young them uncomfortable. People. • Breaching the Scouts Australia Code of Conduct. Adults in In the future, a number of eLearning modules will be available for Scouting also commit to our Code of Ethics. youth members explaining our Child Safety practices, strategies Anyone can report any incident of unacceptable behaviour to our for youth members to keep themselves safe and how to access Child Safety Team as per the “Child Safety Reporting” section support services. Training Conduct All Adult Members and Supporters of Scouts Victoria must Conduct of any adult in Scouts Victoria is subject to the Scouts complete the Child Safety and Workplace Health and Safety Australia Code of Conduct. It applies to all members over the age Training within three months of commencing their membership of 18, regardless of location and role, when engaging with young as of 2020. This is a condition of membership or holding a people and adults in any form. This includes face-to-face contact support role with Scouts Victoria and you can access our and using technology such as online platforms. Parents and eLearning System at www.training.scouts.com.au. guardians who wish to actively participate in Scouting activities must also follow this code. Two Deep Leadership Scouts Victoria requires all of our Adult Members to operate Scouts Australia Code of Conduct under the Two Deep Leadership requirements at all times, I will set an example that I would wish others to follow. unless expressly permitted under the Child Protection Policy. Therefore, I will: This requirement is not negotiable unless there is a genuine life • Respect the dignity of myself and others. threatening emergency and must be recorded. • Demonstrate a high degree of individual responsibility. As outlined in the Child Protection Policy, Two Deep leadership • Recognise at all times that my words and actions are an is defined as: example to other members of the movement. Two Adults present: This is our standard when adults are • Act at all times in accordance with the Promise and Law, supervising and conducting Scouting activities involving children. Code of Ethics and this Code of Conduct, thereby setting a At least two adults must be present, except in unforeseen suitable example for all. circumstances (such as an emergency). While the minimum ratio • Not use the movement to promote my own beliefs, of adults to children will vary from activity to activity, a minimum behaviours and practices where these are not compatible of two adults is always the preferred minimum required – this with Scouting principles. is known as a Two Deep procedural requirement. The failure to • Adhere to the Scouts Australia Child Protection Policy achieve this standard should not preclude the Scout activity from and provide a safe environment for youth members occurring but the situation and details of all attendees are to be participating in the Scout program, their parents or recorded by the Leader in Charge. guardians and visitors. • Report any conduct seen or heard that does not comply with this Code of Conduct to the appropriate Scouting person. 3 Scouts Victoria Info Book 2021 Child Safe Scouting Travel: On certain occasions (for example transporting a child What about abuse by non-Scouting members? from venue to venue) it is likely that only one adult will be Adult Members are often the only trusted person for some supervising. In these circumstances, prior informed consent (this of our youth members. Observations by you may make all may be verbal) is to be obtained from the parents or guardians the difference to a child who is being abused. If you receive of the children concerned. In this situation, care should be taken a disclosure of abuse (or observe injuries or behaviour that the adult is not alone with only one child (that is, the child is symptomatic of abuse) of a youth member we require you to in the company of another child). make a report. We can then provide the appropriate assistance for you to support the youth member and reporting it to the Child Safety Reporting appropriate authorities. Reporting Abuse But, I’m not sure if this is reportable? In brief, should a member of our organisation become aware of As outlined in our Child Safety training, if you are uncertain then an incident of child abuse, whether by witnessing it or hearing you are required to make a report. Our team can then assist to of it from someone else, they are required to report it to the ascertain if further action is necessary. It also enables Scouts Executive Manager of Scouts Victoria. Victoria to identify patterns of behaviour that may be of a You can do this immediately after becoming aware of the concern. Scouts Victoria is required to respond to and investigate incident by calling 1800 870 772 claims of abuse or other child-related misconduct. You should also complete a Child Protection Report form, you This includes reporting behaviour that doesn’t meet our Child can download the form from the Child Safe Scouting page of our Protection Policy – for example, failing to meet the ‘two deep website and then email it to [email protected]. leadership’ requirements should trigger you to submit a report. Remember, you are bound by the Adults in Scouting Code of This reporting enables us to appropriately monitor and take Conduct to report any conduct seen or heard that does not necessary corrective action. comply with the code. If you are still unsure, please call 1800 870 772 and speak to From May 2020, Scouts Victoria is a party to the Reportable one of our team who can assist. Conduct Scheme in Victoria that is administered by the Commission for Children and Young People. This requires Scouts I am not confident in filling in the form Victoria to respond to allegations of child abuse (and other child- We understand that completing a form may not necessarily related misconduct) made against our members, supporters and be easy to do. In this situation contact us on 1800 870 772 to volunteers. In addition, these allegations must be reported to the speak to our team who can assist or take the report over the Commission for Children and Young people for oversight in line phone. with the operation of the scheme. More Information For more information relating to Child Safe Scouting, please visit the Child Safe Scouting page of our website. 4 Scouts Victoria Info Book 2021 Choose Your Own Adventure Start your plan, check out the 2021 Program Planner on the Forms and Tools page of our website for up to date details. Joey Scout Events Hop Around the City Join Joey Scouts from all around the State in a fun day in the City of Melbourne. Alternatively Regions can do their own “Wegional Walkabout” Zoo Day Joey Scouts from around the State will converge on the Melbourne Zoo for the day. Catch the train/tram/bus or even all three and join us for a huge day of adventure and excitement.

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