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Child Safety Briefing - Adults.mp3 

Click above to listen to our Child Safe Briefing for Adults and Rover Scouts or click the PDF to read the briefing note

FEELING SAFE - A MESSAGE FOR ALL ADULT MEMBERS

Everyone in Scouting has the right to feel safe and be protected from abuse. No one is allowed to threaten, hurt or touch another person in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable, unsafe or afraid.

A Scout is respectful and this applies to all interactions between all Jamboree attendees - youth and adults alike.

Youth Members have been advised that they can raise issues with Adults at the Jamboree and that any concerns will be taken seriously and treated appropriately. That message also advises Youth Members to escalate their concerns if not addressed (adults must not discourage this).

If a young person chooses to raise a child protection issue with you, or if you observe something that causes you to be concerned that a young person is being abused, or is likely to be abused, it is your role to:

  • Stay calm, listen carefully to their concerns and be very supportive.
  • Reassure the young person that you understand their concerns and that it is not their fault.
  • Make sure you allow the young person to use their own words.  Only ask open-ended questions.
  • Reassure the young person that they have done the right thing by telling you, and that they are now safe.
  • Immediately contact the Emergency Communications Centre (ECC) (via the Emergency phone number on your ID Card), even if you're not sure if this is a 'child protection' matter or not.
  • The ECC will advise the on-site Queensland Police Service if you conclude that child abuse has, is or is likely to occur.
  • Let the young person know exactly what will be happening next (even if you are not sure yourself).
  • In conjunction with Safety & Security or the Queensland Police Service, provide the young person with a safe and private location (away from the person they have raised concerns about) until the young person feels comfortable to resume their Jamboree experience or otherwise.
  • Make a record of the disclosure or interview as soon as you have the opportunity.
  • Manage the confidentiality of the person who has trusted you with this information by only sharing the information with the people necessary to support the young person.
  • Be aware that a child protection issue can also arise between Youth Members (and not just between an adult and a young person). These are to be treated in the same manner as above.

DO NOT

  • DO NOT Express shock, anger, disgust or distress in front of the young person.
  • DO NOT Discuss specific details of the matter over the radio network or other ‘open’ devices - if required, ask for the the Safety & Security Team to send an appropriate member to your location.
  • DO NOT Try to investigate or solve the issue - Safety & Security or the Queensland Police Service will take the appropriate measures when they arrive and consult with the young person.
  • DO NOT Discuss the matter with others.
  • DO NOT Tell the young person that you can keep it confidential between you and them.
  • DO NOT Dissuade any young person from making a disclosure or reporting to the next level.
  • DO NOT Push the young person into giving details.
  • DO NOT Speak with the alleged perpetrator regarding the disclosure or the concern – except in your efforts to make the young person safe.
  • DO NOT Contact the parents yourself – especially if the parent is the alleged perpetrator - this communication will be managed by the AJ2025 Contingent Leaders or Queensland Police Service.

REMEMBER

  • Adults in Scouting in Queensland are Mandatory Reporters by legislation.  In short, this means that you must report concerns per this process.
  • Where you believe a Youth Member is in imminent danger it is your responsibility to remove them from that danger and make them feel safe.
  • You should then immediately:
    • Report to the Emergency Communications Centre (ECC) via Emergency Number printed on all ID Cards
    • The ECC will advise the on-site Queensland Police Service
    • The Jamboree retains responsibility for subsequently providing an incident report to the appropriate person at the relevant Branch Office.

CHILD SAFETY REPORT

  • Child Safety - form used to report a child safety incident.  This report is forwarded to SafeTrans and is managed in collaboration with the relevant contingent.