Behaviour Policy
Introduction
The Behaviour Policy provides a framework for the responsibilities of Leaders, parents, and young people in the group.
Our Leaders devote considerable time to planning and preparing activities to help young people grow and develop through various activities and games. All Leaders are volunteers.
We understand that children are not in school; however, we expect the same level of respect towards Leaders and other group members as they would show to their teachers and classmates.
Our meetings are held for a short period each week, and it is unfair to everyone if time is disrupted by a small number of disruptive individuals.
The discipline procedures outlined in this policy will ultimately involve parents, as young people generally behave better when their parents are informed. In the worst-case scenario, a persistently disruptive young person may be asked to leave the group.
Our policy requires members to follow the PROMISE made when they were enrolled in the group and reaffirmed as they progress through the sections. Young people must also adhere to the guidelines of the Scout Method, detailed later, along with the Scout Association’s Safeguarding and Anti-Bullying policies.
As Scouts, we are guided by the following values:
Integrity: We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy, and loyal.
Respect: We have self-respect and respect for others.
Care: We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
Belief: We explore our faiths, beliefs, and attitudes.
Co-operation: We make a positive difference; we cooperate with others and make friends.
Behaviour Code
We undertake to adhere to the following behaviour code, understanding that failing to do so will result in a Verbal Warning, a Yellow Card, and then a Red Card. ‘We’ refers to all our young people.
We will attend meetings regularly, on time, and in proper uniform.
We will come to meetings to enjoy ourselves and have fun, respecting each other and the promises we have made.
We will join in and work as a team, particularly in our Patrols, which may not be grouped with existing friends.
We will listen to and respect each other.
We will be inclusive to everyone, however they may appear to differ from us.
We will be respectful and attentive during quiet times, ceremonies, or when a leader is talking.
We will follow instructions from our Leaders, Patrol Leaders, and Parent Helpers. If we do not understand, we will ask politely.
We will not deliberately break the rules, cheat, or disrupt games/activities.
We will change our behaviour when warned if we have not noticed it ourselves.
We will look after and respect equipment and property belonging to the Scout Group or others.
We will never bully, harass, or pick on anyone.
Parents will communicate with the Leaders if they know about any concerns or problems that might affect their child’s involvement or behaviour.
Electronic devices (excluding smartwatches) must not be taken to camps, activities, or weekly meetings unless specifically authorised in advance.
Parents must take note of specific requirements for activities or camps, including kit requirements or items not to be brought.
Note: We are aware that some Scouts arrive for meetings alone, and parents may wish them to carry a mobile phone for safety reasons. In this case, please ensure that the Scout is told to switch off their phone upon arrival and not use it until the session concludes.
Parents or young individuals who believe they have been treated unfairly are encouraged to first discuss the matter with their Section Leader. If concerns persist, they may escalate the issue to the Group Scout Leader as a secondary step.
Examples of Poor Behaviour (not limited to):
Unwanted physical contact with another member
Disobedience
Being overly boisterous
Bullying
Selfish or deliberate acts against the interest of other members or Leaders
Aggressiveness
Consistent disinterest in the Scouting Laws, Promise, and activities
Using electronic devices during meetings (unless authorised)
Lying
Cheating
Being ungrateful or greedy
Disrupting games by cheating or not accepting decisions (e.g., being ‘out’)
Being disrespectful
Using offensive, abusive, sexist, or racially derogatory language
Stealing
Walking away from the group or activity location
Risk-taking behaviour (activity-specific)
Examples of Good Behaviour (not limited to):
Following instructions well
Good manners
Patience, sharing, and generosity
Adhering to the Scouting Law and Promise
Good self-control and awareness
Eagerness to learn and interest in Scouting
Showing enthusiasm even when the activity may not be of primary interest
Cleaning up after activities
Helping others
Respecting others
Arriving on time and in the correct uniform
Notifications
Verbal Warning If the behaviour of a young person, or a group of young people, falls below the standard stated in the ‘Behaviour Code’, the individual(s) involved will be taken aside by a Leader and warned about their behaviour. The Leader may choose to give them a time-out to reflect on their behaviour and for the safety/enjoyment of others.
The young person(s) will be told that if their behaviour does not improve, a Yellow Card will be issued.
The Leader will talk to the parents at the end of the meeting to establish a possible underlying cause. If this is not possible during the evening, contact will be made via email at the Leader’s earliest convenience, and this will be recorded.
Yellow Card If the young person’s poor behaviour persists following a verbal warning, or if their poor behaviour is significant enough on its own, a Yellow Card will be issued. The individual(s) involved will have a time-out decided by the Leader to reflect on their behaviour and for the safety/enjoyment of others.
A Yellow Card will be given for (not limited to):
Consistent talking when expected to listen
Consistent disruptive behaviour, including wandering off during activities
Use of inappropriate language or name-calling
Failure to adhere to reasonable instructions from Leaders, leading to high risk or disruption
Damaging or destroying property
Violating the electronic device policy
The Leader will talk to the parents at the end of the meeting to discuss the situation. This will be followed up with an email in the standard format as detailed below.
The young person will be absent from the upcoming meeting, regardless of the planned activity, including camp. Any funds paid for the missed event will not be refunded. The Yellow Card will be retained on the young person’s record for six months from the date of issuance.
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Yellow Card Letter Dear Parents,
[Young person’s name] has breached the following section(s) of the 1st Beetley Scout Group behaviour policy and has been issued with a Yellow Card.
Reason for card: [Reason]
They will miss next week’s meeting and will be welcome to return the following week on [date of meeting]. If [Young person’s name] is a Scout Patrol Leader / Seconder, they are at risk of losing their stripes.
The Yellow Card will remain on their record for six months.
If their behaviour does not improve, they may be issued a Red Card, resulting in missing two meetings and requiring a meeting with the Section Leader and the Group Scout Leader before they can return.
If they receive a further Red Card, they will be asked to leave the Group.
Going forward, we may ask for parental presence during Scout meetings to support the leaders.
We welcome your support to best help your child within Scouting and hope they can enjoy their Scouting journey with us.
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Red Card If the young person’s poor behaviour persists following a Yellow Card, or if their poor behaviour is significant enough on its own, a Red Card will be issued. The individual(s) involved will immediately be asked to sit out the remainder of the meeting, and their parents will be called at the earliest opportunity to collect them.
A Red Card will be issued straight away for:
Fighting
Bullying
Using offensive, abusive, sexist, or racially derogatory language
The Leader will talk to the parents, if safe to do so depending on the activity and available adults, when the young person is collected. This will be followed up with an email in the standard format as detailed below.
The young person will miss the following two meetings, regardless of the planned activity (including camp), and any money paid will not be reimbursed. The Red Card will be retained on the young person’s record for six months from the date of issue.
A meeting must be held with the parents, Section Leader, and Group Scout Leader to discuss the young person’s behaviour. The young person will not be able to attend meetings until this meeting has been held.
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Red Card Letter Dear Parents,
[Young person’s name] has breached the following section(s) of the 1st Beetley Scout Group behaviour policy and has been issued with a Red Card.
Reason for card: [Reason]
They will miss the next two meetings and will be unable to return until we have held a meeting with you, the Section Leader, and the Group Scout Leader to discuss the matter and try to resolve the reasons why this behaviour is recurring.
The Red Card will remain on their record for six months.
If [Young person’s name] is a Scout Patrol Leader / Seconder, they will lose their stripes at this time.
If conditions set at this meeting are not adhered to within a reasonable time frame and/or a subsequent Red Card is issued within six months, your child will be asked to leave the Group.
We welcome your support to best help your child within Scouting and hope they can enjoy their Scouting journey with us.