Group Policies

Keeping everyone safe and ensuring a positive scouting experience

🛡️ Safeguarding 📋 Code of Conduct 📅 Attendance ⚕️ Health & Safety 💬 Communications 🤝 Inclusion
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Safeguarding & Child Protection

The safety and welfare of our youth members is our top priority. 17th Dalkey Scouts maintains comprehensive safeguarding measures:

Garda Vetting

All volunteer leaders undergo Garda vetting through Scouting Ireland before working with youth members.

Reference Checks

Leaders provide references which are verified before appointment to ensure suitability.

Training

All leaders complete safeguarding training as part of their foundation training.

Code of Good Conduct

All leaders and youth members adhere to Scouting Ireland's Code of Good Conduct.

Ratio Requirements

We maintain proper leader-to-youth ratios at all activities in line with the Scouting Ireland Ratio Policy.

Reporting Procedures

We have clear procedures for reporting any concerns safely and confidentially.

Important: Our safeguarding policy follows Scouting Ireland's comprehensive Child Protection Policy and Procedures. If you have any concerns about child protection, please contact our Group Leader or Scouting Ireland's Safeguarding team.
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Code of Conduct

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For Youth Members

  • Treat everyone with respect and kindness
  • Follow the Scout Promise and Law
  • Listen to and follow instructions from leaders
  • Take care of equipment and facilities
  • Participate enthusiastically in activities
  • Look out for fellow scouts
  • Represent the group positively at all times
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For Leaders

  • Act in the best interests of youth members at all times
  • Treat all members fairly and with respect
  • Provide safe, enjoyable, and age-appropriate activities
  • Lead by example and uphold the Scout Promise and Law
  • Maintain appropriate boundaries with youth members
  • Keep their training and vetting up to date
  • Create a positive, inclusive environment for all
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For Parents

  • Ensure children attend meetings regularly and on time
  • Provide accurate emergency and medical information
  • Support leaders and encourage children's participation
  • Communicate any concerns or issues promptly to leaders
  • Ensure children have appropriate equipment for activities
  • Respect leaders' time and voluntary contribution
  • Consider how they can support the group through volunteering
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Attendance & Participation

Regular Attendance

We encourage regular attendance as it helps youth members get the most from scouting, build strong friendships, and progress through badge work. We understand that other commitments sometimes conflict with scouting — just let leaders know when your child cannot attend.

Pickup & Drop-off

  • Drop children off no earlier than 5 minutes before meeting time
  • Collect children promptly when meetings end
  • Collect younger children (Beavers, Cubs) at the door
  • Inform leaders if someone else will be collecting your child
  • Contact leaders if running late for pickup

Leaving the Group

If a youth member wishes to leave the group, we ask that parents inform the section leader. We welcome members back if they wish to rejoin later, space permitting.

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Health & Safety

Medical Information

We maintain current medical information for all youth members. Parents must:

  • Complete the consent form with accurate medical information
  • Update leaders of any changes to medical conditions
  • Provide medication instructions where necessary
  • Inform leaders of any injuries or illnesses that affect participation

Activities & Risk Assessments

All activities are planned with safety in mind:

  • Risk assessments are completed for all activities
  • Activities are age-appropriate and skill-level appropriate
  • Proper supervision is maintained at all times
  • Safety equipment is used where required
  • Leaders have appropriate training for activities

Accidents & Incidents

All accidents and incidents are recorded and parents are informed. Leaders have first aid training and first aid kits are available at all activities and camps.

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Communications

Contacting Leaders

Available channels:

  • Email (provided on registration)
  • Via the spond app
  • In person before/after meetings

Please respect leaders' personal time and avoid contacting outside reasonable hours.

Group Communications

We communicate with parents through:

  • Spond app for general communication
  • Information sheets for camps and special events
  • Occasional parent meetings

Photos & Media

We occasionally take photos and videos of scouting activities for:

  • Group archives and memory-keeping
  • Facebook page and local promotion of scouting

Parents can opt out of photo sharing on registration by notifying leaders.

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Equal Opportunities & Inclusion

17th Dalkey Scouts is committed to equal opportunities and inclusion. We welcome young people and volunteers from all backgrounds and abilities.

Scouting is for everyone, regardless of:

Gender or sexual orientation Religion or belief Race or ethnicity Disability or additional needs Socioeconomic background
Support for Additional Needs: If your child has additional needs, please discuss them with us so we can ensure they have the best possible scouting experience. We will work with families to make reasonable adjustments to facilitate full participation.
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Concerns & Complaints

We hope every family has a positive experience with 17th Dalkey Scouts. If you have concerns or wish to make a complaint, please follow this process:

1

Talk to the Section Leader

Most issues can be resolved by discussing them directly with the relevant section leader.

2

Contact the Group Leader

If the issue isn't resolved, contact the Group Leader who oversees the entire group.

3

Scouting Ireland

For serious concerns or if you don't feel the issue has been addressed, you can contact Scouting Ireland directly.

Safeguarding Concerns: For safeguarding concerns, you can contact Scouting Ireland's Safeguarding team directly or Tusla (the Child and Family Agency).

Questions?

If you have any questions about our policies or how we operate, please get in touch.

Contact Us Scouting Ireland Policies