Coronavirus (Covid-19) support page

Please always check this website for the latest guidance on re-starting Scouting safely. There is lots of guidance on programme, protecting ourselves & others and premises.

From 00:01 on 19/07/2021 The current Scout Association Readiness level in Gloucestershire is: YELLOW which means Face to face Scouting can take place outdoors and indoors groups of no limited size, subject to venue. Outdoor activities are still encouraged.

In poorly ventilated locations social distancing and face coverings are expected and recommended (note: any requirements by facilities and external providers must be followed).

Risk Assessments must be carried out and documented to demonstrate how you will assess and manage the risk associated with Covid-19.  These should be kept and shared locally and the onus is on Group Scout Leaders, Group Executive Committees, DESCs and District Executive Committees to be satisfied that risk is managed in sections as relevant.

You do not need to seek approval from your DC as of 18:30 on 20/07/2021.

Face coverings*

• Are recommended.
• Are expected in venues / locations where social distancing is less possible and where ventilation is poor.

*Unless exempt

Read the Guidance for Leaders.

You can read this one page guide.

Nights Away

Residential experiences can now be undertaken and usual Nights away guidance and rules apply, including:

• Form NAN
• Permits
• All adults must have DBS and completed safety & safeguarding training
• You must submit a full Risk Assessment including how you will ensure it is Covid-safe with your form NAN

Please read all of the detailed additional guidance.

The following limits apply:

• Aim to be 25m away from any other groups or sections where possible.
• It is possible to mix sections.
• Maximum of 6 people per well-ventilated sleeping space.
• Maximum of 30 young people plus required volunteers (including Young Leaders).
• For adult only groups – There are no longer restrictions on how many adults may meet socially and therefore local decisions must be made to keep members safe when adults interact.
• Good hygiene must be in place at all times.
• Lateral flow testing required prior to departure, every 48-72hrs during the experience and on return for over 12s.

Also:

• You can continue to deliver programme digitally.
• There is no requirement to return to Face to Face Scouting if you feel your section / unit / group are not ready but please do inform your DC so that  you can get support to enable your young people to still receive programme. 

Please contact your District Commissioner if you have questions

Useful links:

• Returning to Scouting Safely information hub
• Framework for the safe return of Scouting.
• Guidance for Executives and Commissioners (Approvers) 
• Guidance for managers of premises (including where 3rd used by non-Scouting).
• Submit your Risk Assessment for Approval

County virtual section meetings

We are very pleased to be able to announce that as a County we will shortly be running virtual section meetings for all young people, regardless of group or district that do not currently have access to regular remote Scouting.

To find out more, please visit this webpage

The Great Indoors –

over 100 activities that young people can do with their parents / carers.

WOSM Activity

The teams at World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and UK Scout Headquarters are in the process of creating Programme ideas to support Scouts at home. Check here; scouts.org.uk and scout.org regularly.

County activities during lock down

Shirehike – 5th Dec – 14th March 2021

We have joined with Hereford and Worcester to bring Shirehike to our county. This Virtual walking festival gives you the opportunity to get into the great outdoors by taking part in local hikes. Anyone can get involved and you can earn badges for the hikes that you do.

Find out more here

You can see some of our previous activities here:

• We Will Survive Camp
• Water Activities Day

Other ideas 

On the right / below you will see other ideas that have been shared by you!

We want more of your ideas, if you have some please email

Scouting guidance has now been updated in this framework.

This means as of today, adults can meet together in groups in line with Government guidelines.

• Socially distance (2m where possible, otherwise 1m+) If this is not possible a face to face meeting should NOT take place.
• If experiencing Coronavirus symptoms, stay at home and advise all others that they should stay at home.

You can

• Meet outdoors in groups of up to 6.
• Meet indoors with people from upto 2 households

The safety and welfare of all members should be considered when deciding whether Any face to face meeting is necessary.

Tools

Where needing to meet with groups of more than six people, you can still meet using digital tools. 

• Zoom – See our supporting materials
• Facebook groups 
• Google Hangouts – Step by step guides
• Microsoft Teams – Step by step guide
• Skype
• WhatsApp

We as a County Team have been and will continue to use Zoom for video conference calls and WhatsApp to chat and share short messages.

This webinar is great and shows how you can deliver engaging online sessions to young people

If running online meetings with young people, you must read and follow this guidance

Which platform should I use? – Read here for guidance.

This is a great webinar showing you how you can run engaging virtual meetings.

Questions

• Can I have Executive meetings via Conference Call / Video call? – Yes – the Charity commission states that business may be conducted remotely. More information.
• Can I validate learning with my TA via Video call? – Yes, we will be working with TAs to help them with this, in the coming weeks.
• Can we have an face to face appointments panel meeting? Yes – as long as outdoors and the total number of people any adult may come in contact with is no more than six.
• Can we have a face to face validation session? Yes,  – if indoors (from the 4th July) meet only one person in a day. If outdoors, do not meet more than 5 others in one day.

Scouts, first and foremost is about developing young people to become a positive influence on our communities.

Why not get involved in Care for Care homes where we can really make a difference to thousands of people across the UK.

Find out more here

Watch this introductory video from Ed Stafford

If you do take part don’t forget to record your action

All face to face training between now and the end of July has been cancelled or postponed.

New

We are now offering online classroom versions of the following courses:

• Module 5 – Fundamentals of Scouting
• Module 7 – Scouting for all
• Module 11 – Administration
• Module 12A – Delivering the quality programme
• Module 12B – Programme planning
• Module 19 – International

Please visit the training calendar for Wood Badge courses or Safeguarding training.

Mandatory training

• Safeguarding training can still be completed via elearning.
• Safety training can also be completed by elearning.
• GDPR Training can be completed by elearning.

With these please send a copy of your completion certificate to your TA or LTM / LTA to update your training records.

Getting started

Getting started training can still be completed

• Module 1 can be completed on line here.
• Trustee Information for Executives can be completed here.

Please send the certificate to your TA and arrange to validate your learning through conversation.

We are working to develop solutions that will allow us to deliver more of the Core Modules and Young Leader training, remotely – Watch this space.

In these uncertain times it can be really easy to feel distant from those that we form great friendships with throughout Scouting. Being apart from our Scouting family can feel like a bereavement.

With a huge diversity of members across our County, some will stay in touch and connected via Social Media, some reliant on email and there will be some that do not use technology in the same way.

How can you keep in touch with each other to help them feel connected? Please think of those that have less confidence with technology.

At this time, it can be easy to let your own health and wellbeing slip. This is as important as the wellbeing of those we support. 

Guides and to support you and others

• 5 tips for supporting each other’s wellbeing during lockdown
• COVID-19 – A Guide for Young People
• Please do take time to be kind to yourself .
• Check out this additional guidance – Coping with quarantine.

Bereavement

At this time, it is possible that we may experience the loss of friends, family, colleagues or others that we support in Safeguarding. 

There is some really useful support on the Scouts Website, please take some time to read this page on Bereavement support

Conducting meetings

The NCVO has published some useful guidance to help Executive Committees consider how they can best support Scouts locally during this time.

Also published this week is guidance for charities from the Charity Commission.

The Scout Association has approved an amendment to the standard constitutions in POR which allows meetings to be held remotely. It also allows decisions to be made electronically. This is valid immediately and will be updated in the next update to POR, in early April. The wording is as follows:

• Electronic voting (such as email) is allowed for decision making of the County/District/Group Executive Committee and its sub-Committees when deemed appropriate by the Chair. In such instances at least 75% of committee members must approve the decision.
• The County/District/Group Executive Committee & its sub-Committees can meet by telephone conference, video conference as well as face to face in order to discharge its responsibilities when agreed by the appropriate Chair.

AGMs

Managing premises

Every so often we get sent information about how Scouting can apply for funds or grants. We will list them here for you to consider if they are appropriate or applicable to your section / unit / group or district.

Alternatively, check out this page where you can find many funders including:

• Asda foundation
• Biffa UK
• CAF resilience
• Co-op
• Ecclesiastical
• Princes countryside fund
• Sport England
• Tesco bags of help
• The Foyle foundation
• The National Lottery community fund

If you are struggling, please contact your DC as we have funds across Districts and the County that can support you. 

If you are seeking help for funding a refurbishment of a Scout Building, check out the bottom part of this page where there a numerous grants and trusts who can help. 

Check out this guidance on writing a funding application.

Cranham Scout centre is currently open for bookings. As soon as they re-open you can use this amazing resource for great Scouting experiences.

Find out more at the Cranham Scout Centre website

They have been given a “We’re good to go” mark which is the official UK mark to signal that a tourism and hospitality business has worked hard to follow Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines and has a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.

If you have a bookings or questions please contact the management team on

Whilst Face to Face Scouting has been suspended, managers and commissioners could not try to complete new DBS Applications.

As of the 6th July 2020 DBS applications can now be completed. 

Guidance on doing so can be found here. A summary of key points:

• Copies of ID must be scanned / photographed and emailed to the person checking ID. ID verifier must confirm receipt.
• The person checking ID must see the person via video call or face to face (following Government guidance). You must see the person you are verifying.
• Checks are carried out and you must be assured the ID is that of the person you are speaking to. If in doubt DO NOT PROCEED.
• Once verified, you must delete all copies of the ID and relevant data that you held and confirm this to the volunteer. 

Managers should now act on expiry dates and work through their expired DBS as fast as possible.

Members whose DBS has expired may continue to meet digitally during this period. All members must follow this advice when meeting with young people online.

If you have any questions please speak to your line manager.

Below are the related communications that have been received or sent in relation to Scouts and Coronavirus (Covid-19)

• Reduction of restrictions (for 19th July 21) (15/7)
• Email to DCs, GSLs & Group Chairs (22/3)
• Support at this time (from HQ) (1/4)