Reporting a concern to safeguarding

The welfare of children and young people is our priority and everyone has a duty to report safeguarding concerns directly to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team, in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card)

This makes sure that the team is aware of concerns as soon as possible and can put measures in place to minimise risks to children, young people and adults at risk.

A safeguarding concern could be about:

• A breach of the Yellow Card or Green Card.
• Police or statutory agency involvement regarding a member.
• A welfare concern.
• Suspicions that a child could be at risk of harm.

You must report concerns as soon as possible (always within 24 hours), whether you are told about them directly or indirectly. If you're not sure what to do, or you're not sure if a concern has been reported, contact the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

The UK HQ Safeguarding team will give advice, support and guidance from the moment you report a concern. If you inform another member about the concern, then both individuals must then report direct to the UK HQ Safeguarding team.

This applies to all concerns, no matter how insignificant they might seem or when they happened or whether they happened inside or outside of Scouts.

The easiest way to report a concern is by using our Online Safeguarding Reporting Form.  You can also:

• Phone 020 8433 7164 (9am – 5pm weekdays)
• Email [email protected]
• Use the downloadable safeguarding reporting form

In an emergency outside the above times, you can contact the Safeguarding Team by calling the Scouts Support Centre on 0345 300 1818.

If a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm call 999 or 112 and ask for the police. Tell the UK HQ Safeguarding Team you have done this.

You can also call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or email them at [email protected].

If you have a query regarding an existing safeguarding concern, please contact the Safeguarding Officer or Manager via their direct dial and/or email.