Within Scouting, we have an obligation to understand, address and resolve bullying, discrimination and harassment.
This policy sets out how the 17th Newcastle Scout Group does that. It is our published anti-bullying code under POR 2.7.2.2(f), was written with reference to UK Scouting's anti-bullying guidance, and applies to all members, Young Leaders, adult volunteers and trustees of the Group.
1What bullying is
1.1Bullying is found in all walks of life, and can happen anywhere. Some say "it's just part of growing up", but many young people feel powerless to stop it and may carry its effects long into adult life.
1.2Bullying takes many forms, some less obvious than others.
1.3We define bullying as deliberately hurtful behaviour that is usually repeated over a period of time.
1.4Bullying is not the same as disputes and squabbles between friends, though these can turn into bullying and should be addressed by section volunteers. Bullying deliberately causes hurt, is repeated, and involves an imbalance of power.
1.5Bullying can be:
1.5.1Physical — threatening or causing injury to a person or their property.
1.5.2Verbal — teasing, insults, ridicule, name-calling, humiliation, or sexist, racist or homophobic comments.
1.5.3Social — excluding someone from a group, spreading gossip or rumours about them, rejecting or isolating them, or deliberately making them feel inferior or uncomfortable.
1.5.4Cyber — using digital media to deliberately harm someone, including by email, text, social media and websites.
1.5.5Discrimination — treating someone unfairly because of a protected characteristic.
1.6UK Scouting gives these signs that a member may be being bullied, when they:
- hesitate to come to meetings or join in activities
- ask to change groups or patrols
- are picked last for a team for no obvious reason, or are picked on when a leader's back is turned
- are often the target of jokes
- are reluctant to go to certain places or work with certain people
- have bruising or another injury (see Young People First — the Yellow Card)
- become quiet and nervous and withdraw from everyone else, especially if they are usually loud
- refuse to talk about the problem
- are usually quiet, but suddenly lash out at people, verbally or physically.
This list is not exhaustive. Volunteers should be alert to any sign of bullying.
2Adult responsibilities
2.1Every volunteer is responsible for making sure young people live, learn, play and take part in Scouting in an environment free from bullying.
2.2Every volunteer in the Group is expected to be familiar with this policy.
2.3Every volunteer must report any suspected bullying to their Section Leader or the Group Lead Volunteer as soon as reasonably possible.
2.3.1If the suspected bullying involves the Section Leader or the Group Lead Volunteer, the concern should be raised with the Group Lead Volunteer or the District Lead Volunteer, as appropriate.
2.3.2The Section Leader or Group Lead Volunteer must make a written record of the suspected bullying, and update it with any further information and any action taken.
2.4Volunteers are role models, and young people often learn by example. Volunteers must not behave in any way that could encourage or support bullying, even indirectly.
2.5Volunteers involved in day-to-day Scouting should watch for subtle signs of bullying.
3Responding to bullying
3.1A volunteer the young person trusts should find out the full details and agree a way to address the problem. A volunteer who is unsure what to do should consult another volunteer, ideally with the young person's involvement and consent.
3.2A written record must be made of any disclosure of bullying, and reviewed within three months of being made.
3.3The identity of anyone reporting bullying must not be shared with other members without their prior consent. They must not be pressured into consenting.
3.4The person who reported the bullying must be followed up with within three months of the incident being recorded.
3.5We always aim to work in partnership with parents, who should be told about the situation at the earliest opportunity.
4Working with young people who bully
4.1Where the bullying happens within Scouting, we should work with the person accused of bullying to help them understand their behaviour and its effect on others.
4.2The aim is to encourage positive behaviour and make sure the bullying stops. It is the behaviour that is unacceptable, not the person.
4.3Where appropriate, the parents of a member accused of bullying should be told. This conversation should first take place without the member present, so that a volunteer and the parent or guardian can speak directly.
4.4This conversation should be noted in the written record made under 3.2.
5Serious or persistent bullying
5.1Bullying that involves a serious incident, such as a serious physical or sexual assault, is serious bullying.
5.2Bullying that continues over a long period, and has not stopped after earlier attempts to intervene, is persistent bullying.
5.3In either case, consideration should be given to involving The Scout Association's Safeguarding Team, the police or social services as appropriate. Whenever the police or social services are involved, The Scout Association's Safeguarding Team must be told at the earliest opportunity.