Good Behaviour and Discipline Policy

‘Good Behaviour and Discipline Policy’

In order to provide a safe and engaging programme in line with Scout Association recommendations we promote good behaviour at Brunton Park Scout Group. In support of this we have a ‘Good Behaviour and Discipline Policy’ to outline acceptable expected conduct based on the Promise and Law of Scouting, and the controls in place.

Our Principles
Members: Beavers Cubs and Scouts

Objectives

Allow all Members – Beavers Cubs and Scouts + Leaders – to fully participate in a programme which is both safe, challenging and fun.
Ensure that the culture and atmosphere in the Group is conducive to learning, supportive and inclusive of all Members and Leaders without prejudice.
To protect Members and prevent any individuals from taking part in an activity where their behaviour and conduct could be a danger to themselves and/or to others, and are disruptive and a risk to the success of the activity or the programme itself.
Ensure acceptable ‘Behaviour’ is understood and rewarded referring to the Promise and Law ideals whilst including a process of dealing with repeated disruption: cheating in games, disrespect to others, arguing back, ignoring instructions, inappropriate actions, non-participation or effort, direct or indirect bullying or teasing, insolence.
To actively engage Members and Leaders to sign and endorse this Code of Conduct to be easily applied consistently at all Meetings, Camps and throughout activities/games.

In order to help us promote good behaviour we ask all parents to help and support the Leaders in implementing the Code of Conduct.

All Invested Members have made the following promise(s):-

Beavers Promise
Cubs Promise
Scouts Promise

See link to Beaver Cub and Scout Promises

The Beaver Promise

I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love God/our world.

The Cub/Scout Promise

I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God and the Queen
To help other people and to keep the Cub/Scout Law

The Cub Scout Law

Cub Scouts always do their best,
Think of others before themselves and do a good turn every day.

The Scout Law

A Scout is to be trusted.
A Scout is loyal.
A Scout is friendly and considerate.
A Scout belongs to the world-wide family of Scouts.
A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

With this in mind, please discuss the following with your child:

Leaders will :

be good role models as per Scout Association guidance rules
work together to offer a varied programme of challenging and stimulating meetings
provide opportunities equally for Members to attain badges, and attend events/residential camps where possible
Apply rules consistently across all Sections and children
Reward and acknowledge good behaviour e.g. award Merit points / provide recognition

Members will :

follow the behaviour rules discussed and agreed with themselves – ‘The Code of Conduct’
work and play in a manner which is safe, sensible and in line with the Promise and Law
avoid saying or doing anything which is likely to upset, hurt or embarrass others
tell an adult if they are upset by any other Member’s actions

Parents will :

offer to help at one or more meetings each term. (This is just 3 each year!)
support the work of the Section, including any rules or sanctions which it may impose.
Note list below showing bad behaviour we are trying to control and prevent

Outcome – things to stop doing :

Talking to friends when they should be listening, including talking over Leaders and other Members
Purposefully ignoring the instructions of a Leader
Distracting and disrupting when they should be paying attention and joining in with activities
Using inappropriate language/suggestions, including swearing and name calling and upsetting and bullying others.
Talking, giggling, making gestures or otherwise misbehaving during quiet times – ceremonies and instruction

‘Misbehaviour makes it very difficult for Leaders to offer interesting activities – and spoils the fun for others’

Code of Conduct

Responsibilities to each other:

All Members to arrive on time in correct uniform aware of the ‘Code of Conduct’ and ‘Promise and Law’ taken
All Members join in and work as a team – especially in activities and in keeping the premises safe tidy and clean
Leaders and Members all respect each other and listen to hear and understand each others opinions and genuine concerns.
No one ridicules or targets anyone else – or disrupts/cheats repeatedly during games and activities.
No bullying or inappropriate behaviour causing a negative impact upon any individual.
No one makes any noise or is disruptive during ‘quiet times’ such as opening /closing ceremony and flag break, or when a game or activity rules are being explained – including risk assessments and safety briefings.
We all tell the truth and are honest to each other.

‘All Members and Parents may speak to Leaders in confidence if they feel someone is not behaving appropriately’

Our Anti-Bullying Code:

We DO have respect for everyone as reasonable individuals, whatever their differences.
We DO take bullying seriously – it’s not dismissed as ‘just a bit of fun’ or banter when another person is hurt.
We DON’T accept any bullying behaviour – undermining, name-calling, physical violence, threats, being left out, spreading nasty rumours either in person or by text and email, or any other way of making people feel bad about themselves.
We DO report any bullying we see, whoever it’s aimed at. It should be reported to a Leader or someone else we trust like our Patrol Leader.
We DO take someone seriously if they tell us they’re being bullied, and we also don’t watch others being bullied without doing something.
We DON’T just put up with bullying. We ACT and DO make sure something is done about it – there are consequences to be addressed.

‘Respect everyone, our property, equipment and our time as Volunteers’

Respect Code:

Listen to each other and avoid inappropriate shouting
Avoid bad language, physical contact and bullying at all times
Be quiet and sensible during ceremonies and in talks/explanations
Set a good example to those around us – help others – don’t spoil
Be smart, punctual and wear our uniform with pride
Get involved and give our best effort to all activities
Hand in electronic devices at the beginning of meetings if asked
Avoid bringing unnecessary items to meetings (food, toys, games, gadgets etc)
Keep the Promise and the Law
Have fun!

We ask that all Members of Brunton Park Scout Group sign up to our Code of Conduct.

The ‘Code of Conduct’ should be discussed, understood and refined by each section as appropriate to age before being applied within Beavers Cubs Scouts + Leaders once ‘signed up to’ by all Section Members each term.

Disciplinary Controls

ONE – Warning
On first time of confirmed breach of repeated misbehaviour and bad conduct a Leader will firmly warn the Member(s) that their misbehaviour (physical or verbal) is inappropriate and explain why and the consequences IF this is repeated. All other Adults/Helpers and GSL will be informed and the Section Leader will record a first time breach.
Hopefully there is no further reoccurrence and one warning is sufficient. However if a breach of conduct reoccurs …
TWO Warnings – Yellow
On second confirmed breach they will be told they are now not eligible to take part in the activity at all and why, and must then sit out quietly within the main hall until Leaders feel they are ready to rejoin. They must watch the activity, and behave and remain quiet, for at least 10 minutes. This then allows a child time to cool off and consider their actions.
On this second time warning The Section Leader will record a ‘yellow card ’and the Member will then be told, before rejoining activities, of the further consequences should there be a further third warning. i.e “if this misbehaviour continues or warrants further intervention then a ‘red card’ final third warning will apply and in those circumstances the Section Leader will place them in the Den/another room to await collection by Parents. They will leave the meeting and may be suspended from attending for a period e.g. week(s)”.
They will not be allowed to re-join the activity until they apologise and provide confidence that they understand consequences and also why they were excluded and its negative impact – accepting personal responsibility for the second breach. All other Leader/Helpers present and GSL will be informed to support this process and the Section Leader will record details of a second time breach.
Parents will be informed by The Section Leader at the end of the meeting on second time breach and of consequences should a third breach occur.
Hopefully there are no further reoccurrences and two warning are sufficient.However IF a further third breach of conduct reoccurs …
THREE Warnings – Red. Consequences – For very serious or repeated breaches of the ‘Code of Conduct’ the Section Leader will explain the breach to other Leaders and GSL too re-informing the Child of the penalties imposed and as previously outlined above. Parents will be informed also and to collect their Child and informed to miss a week(s) to reflect. Details will be investigated and discussed with Parents to determine effective next steps and any potential return arrangement.
FOUR – Excessive Red Warnings For extremely serious or for continued subsequent breaches of the Code of Conduct the Group Leadership team will ask for Parental assurances and cooperation in putting in place a corrective action plan. e.g does not participate in any future activity or camp etc. We will involve the Group Scout Leader and District Commissioner and in exceptional circumstances an excessive breach may result in exclusion from Scouting.

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