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DUTY OF CARE
Position Statement
The primary responsibility of adults in the
Scout Movement is the welfare and development of youth
members. The single most important function of the Volunteer
Recruitment and Development (VRAD) process of Scouts Canada is to
ensure that only suitable adults are recruited.
Our section programs and our ethic requires us
to provide an environment in which children and young people feel
valued and secure; and can grow as individuals while developing a
sense of self worth, personal integrity and increasing competence
through the acquisition of skills and achievements. Any adult
behaviour which is not supportive of this developmental process
is inappropriate and requires appropriate
intervention/action.
We have a duty of care to keep youth members
safe and protect them from physical and emotional harm. In
adventurous activities, this duty is exercised through sensible
risk management. In our general program activities, this duty is
exercised through a respectful, caring, empathetic and friendly
relationship with young people. In the recruitment and selection
of adult leaders, their personal standards, character and ability
to develop this relationship is much more important than any
technical skills or experience.
1. Encouraging Positive Behaviour
(Discipline)
Occasionally, there may be a necessity for
appropriate disciplinary action. Scouts Canada encourages
positive reinforcement to correct inappropriate behaviour.
The following examples are
inappropriate discipline methods:
- physical blows or force
- confinement
- emotional/humiliation/name-calling
- any other form of abuse
Alternatives to punishment:
If we allow someone to experience the
consequences of their actions, there is potential for an honest
and real learning situation to occur. Discipline can be
maintained through both natural and logical consequences.
Natural consequences represent the pressure of
reality without interference. Disrespecting others, for example,
will ordinarily invite similar treatment. But it isn't always
appropriate to let natural consequences take their course.
Logical consequences involve an intervention
by someone else. So, disrespecting someone carries a consequence
like removal from a program activity. The disadvantage, of
course, is that this can deteriorate into another form of
punishment imposed externally. Logical consequences should be
negotiated as much as possible beforehand by everyone involved.
Thus, an agreement is reached as to the consequences of foul
language or put-downs (Code of Conduct). Because everyone is part
of the agreement, everyone is also responsible for seeing that it
works. By adults and youth taking responsibility together,
logical consequences become an alternative to punishment.
2. Physical Contact
When dealing with youth, there is acceptable
touching and unacceptable touching. A handshake is generally
acceptable; a hug is sometimes acceptable; and an embrace is
usually unacceptable. Touching which gives offence or causes any
unease is not acceptable.
3. Relationships
Scouts Canada affirms a duty to its youth
members for their welfare and development. Adults accept a
responsibility to Scouts Canada to care for youth members and
deliver the program. Adults enjoy Scouting and benefit from the
training and experience it brings. However, adults are deliverers
of the program. It is the youth members who are entitled to the
benefits and protection of a safe, quality Scouting program. The
correct relationship between an adult and a youth member is that
of the adult being an instructor, guide, dispassionate friend and
protector. It is a position of integrity, trust and maturity.
4. Language
Scouting ethic requires that we do not use
vulgar or inappropriate language when working with youth members.
Language should be acceptable to the reasonable onlooker and
appropriate to the development of good citizenship.
5. Discrimination
Scouting is a world wide, multi cultural
movement. We welcome people to membership regardless of gender,
race, culture, religious belief, sexual orientation or economic
circumstances. Youth members are strongly influenced by the
behaviour of adults. We need to be sensitive to the traditions
and beliefs of all people and to avoid words or actions which
"put down" anybody.
6. Harassment
Harassment breaks down the positive and
protective environment we seek to develop, and, at its worst, is
emotionally harmful. It is contrary to our objective of
individual growth and development. Some examples are ongoing
teasing, disparagement, belittling or excluding individuals.
Sexual harassment is any verbal or physical
behaviour of a sexual nature which is unwelcome and
offensive.
7. Privacy
The individual's right to privacy must be
recognized and taken into consideration in such matters as
sleeping places and sanitary facilities.
Adult members should, where possible, have
sleeping accommodations separate from youth members, unless
discipline, safety or available facilities dictate otherwise. (If
sleeping accommodations are shared with youth for any of the
above reasons, at least two adults must be present at all
times.) B.P.&P.
8. Alcohol Policy
No adult volunteer or other person who has a
duty of care toward any youth member (Beavers to Rovers
inclusive) shall consume alcohol or any other mood altering
substance during any Scouting program which involves youth
members or within a time frame which would affect their ability
to carry out their duty of care toward youth members.
9. Smoking
It is inappropriate for any member to smoke in
front of youth at any Scouting activity.
10. General Conduct
Adult Leaders should:
- Help to establish safe and open communication in each Section
of the Group.
- Have an "open door" policy. Declare all meetings open to
parents or Leaders.
- Treat all children, and others, with respect and dignity
befitting their age.
- Be conscious of other's "personal space".
- Encourage participation by all, while being sensitive to each
child's individual capacity.
- Be a role model for children. Be friendly, courteous and
kind.
Adult Leaders should not:
- Show favoritism for particular youth members.
Invite youth member(s) alone to your home or other private
accommodation.
- Have private talks with individual youth members away from
the presence of other Scouts or adults. [Private talks should be
in sight but out of hearing of observers.]
- Carry one youth member alone in your vehicle.
- Go on a hike or other activity with one youth member
alone.
- Demonstrate first aid on a youth member.
- Assist youth members with personal hygiene or dressing except
where health or disability requires it and then only in the
presence of another adult.
- Take part inappropriately in body contact games.
- Let children involve you in excessive attention-seeking
behaviour that is overtly physical or sexual in nature. Be
particularly careful with the very needy child. Re-direct the
behaviour to "healthy" activities and provide caring attention
before it is asked for.
11. General Duty
Every adult's responsibility goes beyond the
confines of his or her specific appointment to their own youth.
Adults are expected to intervene when they identify breaches of
any part of this Duty of Care document.
There are three primary areas of
responsibility: to the parents, to the young people and to
yourself.
11a. Responsibility to Parents
At the simplest level, parents have a right to
know everything that their daughter or son is going to be
involved in. Of course, they have the right to say no if they
feel any activity is inappropriate. Parents are also your
greatest ally, and you should keep them as well informed as
possible. Parents will sometimes defer to you, but only if you
have convinced them that you merit their confidence, and have
earned their trust and respect.
The best way to start achieving this trust is
to talk with each parent. The initial visit with parents when a
youth first joins your section is critical for future
relationships. This visit takes time, effort and commitment, but
it is well worth it. Discuss with the parents what Scouting is
about, its Mission and Principles, program, weekly meetings and
special events. Allow them to question you. It is better to deal
with issues and concerns that the parents may have in a relaxed
setting, rather than later in a "crisis" situation.
Where unsupervised activities take place,
these are done so with parent/guardian's written approval (e.g.
Scouts or Venturers camping alone).
Take a personal interest in their child and
communicate regularly, simply and clearly with parents. Knowing
parents personally is a great asset.
11b. Responsibility to Children
By knowing each individual young person,
you'll be in a better position to anticipate how the youth may
react in various situations. In physical activities, you may get
fears and concerns being expressed which are easy to understand,
but you may also get displays of bravado covering up real fears.
In intellectual activities, you may get questions if a person
does not understand, but you may also get disruptive behaviour as
a way of saying the same thing.
Child Abuse
As an adult leader caring for other people's
children, you may become concerned about suspected child abuse.
An abused or neglected child is a child who is harmed, or
threatened with physical or mental harm, or from who is withheld
the necessities of life. There are several forms of abuse:
physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. In
most Canadian jurisdictions, there is a legal duty to report if a
child has been or is at risk of being physically or emotionally
harmed (including sexually molested) by a person having charge of
the child. There is also a duty to report if a child less than 12
years of age has seriously injured another person or caused
serious damage to another person's property and is either not
appropriately supervised or is not getting the treatment that the
child requires.
(Taken from Scouts Canada's booklet,
"How to Protect Your Children from Child
Abuse: a Parent's Guide")
If a child you know becomes a victim of abuse,
your first reaction can be very important in helping him/her
through the ordeal. The following guidelines may help you to deal
sensitively and competently with the situation in which a child
discloses that she/he is being abused:
- Stay calm. Don't panic or overreact to the information the
child tells you. Listen compassionately, and take what the child
is saying seriously.
- Don't criticize the child or tell the child they
misunderstood what happened.
- Do respect the child's privacy and take them to a place where
you can talk without interruptions or distractions, staying
within view of another adult or the group.
- Take the time to listen to what the child has to say. Tell
them you appreciate being told about the incident and that you
will help to make sure that it won't happen again.
- Explain that you will need to tell the proper authorities
what you've been told. Refer to Administrative Procedure
3(D).
- No judgement statement should be made about the person whom
the allegation is made.
- The child should not be questioned unless what he or she is
saying is unclear. Avoid leading questions. Open, non-specific
questions should be used such as, "Can you explain to me what you
meant by that?"
- You should show real concern, but NOT alarm or anger, when
receiving information from a child about possible sexual
abuse.
- If a child you know has been sexually abused, do not blame
yourself or the child. People who victimize children are not easy
to identify. They come from all walks of life. Often they have a
position of status - they go to church, hold regular jobs, and
are active in the community. Child molesters are sometimes very
skilled at controlling children through giving excessive
attention, gifts, and money. Child molesters use their skills on
parents and other adults too, disguising their abusive behaviour
behind friendship and care for the children.
- A detailed account of any discussion regarding alleged or
suspected abuse should be written as soon as possible after it
has taken place, concerning who, what, when, where, how, but
not WHY.
11c. Responsibility to Yourself
It is important to know your own limits and
abilities. If you are leading an activity with any potential
risks, always make sure that you are working well within your own
capabilities. If you are working on the edge of your own skills,
you are endangering the young people in your charge. Seek out and
obtain skills and knowledge to enable you to perform your
designated role.
12. Guidelines
- Do not rely on your good name to protect you.
- Do not, for one moment, believe "it can never happen to
me."
- While respecting the need for privacy and confidentiality,
try never to be completely alone with a young person. When it is
appropriate to work one to one, make sure that others are within
earshot and within vision.
- Never touch a young person in a way that could be
misconstrued.
- Never make suggestive or inappropriate remarks.
- If you suspect a young person is developing a "crush" on you,
discuss it with other Leaders and, if appropriate, the
parents.
- If you notice any of your colleagues are at risk from their
behaviour or a young person's crush, discuss it with
them.
- Co-ed leadership in co-ed Scouting situations is highly
desirable.
- The presence of an Adult Leader is a requirement for any
activity which involves Beaver and Cub sections.
Additional Resources
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