Squirrel Scouts

County Safety Officer Paul Howard has agreed to put on another basic course for Wyre Forest based at Rhydd Covert.

Tuesday 23rd Sept and this is the link to book. Bookings will be via eventbrite at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/risk-assessment-101-tickets-1476262864969?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please book if you are interested as weve had 3 courses now and this maybe the last.

If you are booking please ensure you turn up also as you will see from the email below weve had multiple late cancellations and no shows previously.

Paul is a volunteer like us all.

If anyone is interested in the advanced course aimed at Nights Away please let me know directly as we need numbers interested before putting a course on in the autumn.

YIS

Mark Searl

GLV WF21

First Aid Courses

Faith has added the following dates for everyone to book on.

NEW! !NEW!! NEW!!

There are two First Response courses in the Autumn.

13th September 9.30 to 4pm at WF15

23rd November 9.30 to 4pm at WF17

On both dates there is a Practical session at 4pm.

There are two dates now being offered for the Blended First Aid Zoom sessions. Wednesday  30th July or Wednesday 27th August; both running 6.30 to 9.30pm. They will be available to book on H&W's website from Wednesday 9th July.

There are still places on  the course running over two Tuesday evenings 19th and 26th August 6.30 to 9.30pm. Please let me know if you wish to book.

I will attend the Leaders meeting in September so if anyone wishes to complete their Practical session there I will bring along the resusi-annies.

Faith

Those dates not suitable, then please go here First Aid Training | Scouts Hereford & Worcester (scoutshw.org.uk)  and you will see courses elsewhere in the County or the "Hampshire Model" an online session to cover module 10a. The next module 10b can be completed locally. Demand for these FREE courses is bound to be high as we move into Transformation so please take the opportunity to book early. Check your compass record to see when your renewal is due.

Contact Faith directly faith@westoaks.org.uk for further information or look in the Training Diary page on Hereford and Worcestershire Scouts website for alternative FA courses outside of the district.  Remember to check when your FA expires and book in good time to avoid travelling.

Reminder that under Transformation, First Response will be mandatory for:

• Group Lead Volunteers
• Section Team Leaders
• Section Team Members
• District 14-24 Team Leaders

• In other words, ALL face-to-face leaders and team members.

• There are a small number of volunteers in the District who are not compliant, please check Your Membership on the Scout system if you are unsure about your status.

Little litter warriors and Wyre Forest scouts (organiser Mark Searl WF21) have joined the Kidderminster Bid project to help improve Kidderminster town centre. I have attached the area in question. We are looking for sections to get out and about in these areas to help us clean up but also somewhere different and educational to pick. The Kidderminster Bid has offered us donations however I’m leaving that part to Mark. I am running these sessions in Kidderminster and happy to join your group litter picks if can. This activity can then fall under fundraiser, community and part of environmental badge works. It would be great to know where you intend to pick too so that we can cover other areas that won’t have been picked.

Wyre Forest District council are working with me in making sure we have enough equipment to supply the demand. There are also wanting to be more efficient in helping our activity run smoothly. Here is a link to how you can report where you have left your litter filled bags. Reporting this after your pick will ensure a quick collection response. Community volunteer litter picker | Wyre Forest District Council (wyreforestdc.gov.uk). There is also a section where you can let them know how your pick went, filling in this is easy and they may do a social post on their platforms about your achievements, this always is great for promoting scouting in a community.

Karen Blanchfield

Assistant Scout leader

Updated Safeguarding policy. Our Safeguarding policy and procedures have been updated to reflect the updated Orange Card and changes to how you volunteer. Key changes include:  

• Role title updates. 
• Reference to Welcome Conversations.
• Changes to language around non-recent abuse, to align with best practice.  
• Reference to the 30-day period where new volunteers must complete our safeguarding learning, as part of Growing Roots. 

It also includes reference to the new online safeguarding reporting form, which is the easiest way to report concerns. You can read the updated policy on our website. 

Induction is our settling-in period, a time where we want to give volunteers an extra special welcome to make sure they have a great start with us. 

Here’s what you can expect when you first join: Welcome Conversation Within six weeks of joining Scouts, you’ll have a Welcome Conversation with your Team Leader and a Welcome Conversation Volunteer.

Safety and Safeguarding learning The safeguarding of young people at Scouts is our number one priority. You’ll need to complete your Safety and Safeguarding learning in your f irst 30 days.

You’ll also receive a copy of our Safe Scouting Cards. Criminal record check The safeguarding of young people at Scouts is our number one priority. We have a few steps to follow to make sure only appropriately checked adults can volunteer with us, including a criminal record check.

If you’re in England or Wales, submit your criminal record check within 30 days of joining, or within 60 days if you’re in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Declaration You’ll need to complete a declaration. It involves accepting Scout values, and agreeing to follow Scout policies and complete the learning required.

You’ll have to agree to the declaration when you first sign into scouts.org.uk. References We’ll ask you for contact information of people who can vouch for your character and suitability to work with children when you first join. This is one of our measures we take to keep young people safe.

When you’re asked to provide their details, you’ll then have six weeks to do so. Growing Roots This is the learning you’ll need to do within your first six months as a new volunteer or when you start a new role. It covers the basics of Scouts, data protection and creating an inclusive environment.

Welcome conversations will be held in 2025 on these dates:

Venues to be confirmed for the following:-

Tues 23rd Sept    7.00 pm  - Rhydd Activity Centre

Sat 25th Oct    10.00 am- WF15

Sun 30th Nov    11.00 am - WF15

Tues 20th Jan 26    7.00 pm - Rhydd Activity Centre

Julie will write to you with an invite. Please do try to attend as this is a key part of the appointment process and a chance to meet & chat others new to Scouting.