November 2015
Welcome to
A Safe Space
Training
Aims
This module introduces Girlguiding’s
Safety and Safeguarding Policy to
Leaders, to help them create a safe
space for girls and to support them in
dealing with safeguarding concerns.
Objectives
By the end of the session you should have a greater awareness of
safeguarding issues affecting children and young people and have had
the opportunity to:
1. discuss Girlguiding’s Safety and Safeguarding Policy and
procedures
2. identify where risk assessment fits within planning a unit
programme
3. identify the signs of different types of abuse, including physical,
sexual, emotional and neglect
4. explore different types of bullying, including cyberbullying, and
how these can be addressed
5. discuss how to create a safe cyberspace for young members.
A Safe Space and the Leadership
Qualification
By attending and contributing to this session, you will have completed
the following parts of the Leadership Qualification.
Module 3
• Part 2a: Read ‘How to make guiding a safe space’ in The Guiding
Handbook and discuss it with your Mentor.
• Part 2e: Know who to report to locally in the event of an accident or
serious incident involving members of the unit.
• Part 2f: Complete Girlguiding’s A Safe Space training.
Positives of guiding
• Increases self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Opportunity for adventure and challenge in a
safe space.
• Encourages young members to think for themselves
and make their own decisions.
• Boosts confidence with adults through relationships
with non-authoritarian adults and adults who listen.
• Shows Leaders and Young Leaders as role models.
• Example of a mutually respectful environment.
Safety and Safeguarding Policy
It is the policy of Girlguiding to make every effort
to safeguard its members from physical, sexual and
emotional harm while participating in guiding
activities. The Guide Association takes all
reasonable steps to ensure that, through relevant
procedures and training, children, young people and
adults taking part in guiding activities do so in a
safe environment.
Myths and facts – A Safe Space
True or false statements
Code of Conduct for Volunteers
As a member of Girlguiding you
are expected to:
• respect everyone as an
individual
• show understanding when
dealing with sensitive issues
• set a good example in your
own behaviour
• adhere to the organisation's
policies, as found in The
Guiding Manual
• respect everyone's right to
privacy
• abide by UK laws and
legislation.
Code of Conduct for Volunteers
As a member of Girlguiding you
must not:
• permit abusive behaviour
• have inappropriate physical or
verbal contact with others
• jump to conclusions or make
assumptions about others
without checking facts
• show favouritism to anyone
• encourage inappropriate
attention-seeking behaviour
• make suggestive or
inappropriate remarks or
actions
• deliberately place yourself or
others in a compromising
situation.
Safety and managing risk
Risk assessment guidelines
• Risk assessments allow activities to run safely – not
prevent activities from happening.
• Risk assess all activities in guiding.
• Incorporate everything you are responsible for.
• Continue to assess the risks throughout the activity.
Safety checklist
• How safe is your meeting
venue?
• What else might you
need to check?
Safety in the meeting place
Do you:
• have a register and contact numbers?
• know where exits, fire extinguishers etc are and
have fire drills?
• have a qualified first aider, first aid kit, accident
recording file, and Notification of Accident forms?
• have a current programme record?
• know if there are others using the building?
• check furniture and other hazards and ensure
adequate space for games?
Safety outside the meeting place
Do you
• update your risk assessment and discuss with all Leaders?
• visit the venue beforehand if unfamiliar?
• check for a mobile phone signal/telephone access?
• maintain adult to child ratios and include children of
volunteers?
• check The Guiding Manual for specific requirements?
• complete Information and Consent for Event/Activity form
and ensure all signed by parents?
• give information to your Commissioner and Home Contact?
• consider the transport arrangements?
Planning activities
Using your activity scenario, list:
a. the risks
b. actions you would take.
Risk – other points to consider
• You can update existing risk
assessments.
• Some risks can not be
foreseen.
• Many risks can be avoided
by having adequate adult
supervision.
• The majority of accidents
are from preventable slips,
trips and falls.
• Be careful not to over-riskassess.
Types of abuse and bullying -
recognising the signs
Types of abuse
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Neglect
• Peer-on-peer abuse
• Child sexual exploitation (CSE)
• Domestic abuse (DVA)
• Female genital mutilation
(FGM)
• Forced marriage
Important points
•
•
•
All forms of abuse involve
emotional abuse.
Abuse often involves neglect.
Children who are vulnerable
often suffer from multiple forms
of abuse.
Bullying
Deliberate hurtful behaviour
repeated over a period of time
against an individual or a group.
Types of bullying
• Physical
• Racist
• Verbal
• Homophobic
• Emotional
• Transphobic
• Sexual
Types of bullying - definitions
• Physical - hitting, kicking, biting etc, or the threat of such abuse.
• Verbal - name calling, spreading rumours and constant teasing.
• Emotional - persistent deliberate exclusion and or isolation within a
peer group.
• Sexual - unwanted physical contact and/or abusive comments.
• Racist - targeting someone because of their race, ethnic background
or skin colour.
• Homophobic - targeting a person because of their sexual orientation.
• Transphobic - targeting a person because of their gender identity.
Signs of bullying include:
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•
•
•
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•
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changes in behaviour
possessions ‘go missing’
improbable excuses
being left out, called names or teased
unexplained cuts or bruises
missing unit meetings
becoming irritable, defensive or paranoid
seeking acceptance from different people.
Handling bullying situations
•
•
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•
•
•
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Offer support
Never dismiss
Listen without interruption
Tell someone
Create an open safe space
Provide reassurance
Educate your unit
Cyberbullying
Bullying that makes use of
electronic technologies. It can
take place via email, social
networking and gaming sites,
online chat or text.
Cyberbullying and digital communication
• Save the messages
• Private inbox messaging
• Age restrictions
• Adverts and spam
• Photos/videos
• Unwanted images
• Passwords
• Viewing adult content
• Privacy settings
• Block and report it
• Accepting ‘friend’ requests
• Tell an adult
Web safe codes
When using the internet, I promise…
• to tell an adult what sites I want to visit and
the games I want to play
• to not say hurtful things to others
• to tell an adult if something upsets me
• to tell an adult if a stranger speaks to me.
Girlguiding’s Digital Communications Policy
• Do not contact under 14s directly.
• When contacting parents/carers or young
members over the age of 14:
–
–
–
–
use appropriate language
ensure any images are appropriate
check any external links you share
copy in another member of the unit team.
• Individual texting between girls and Leaders is
discouraged.
A Safe Cyberspace
• How can you make girls aware of online
safety?
• A young member has informed you that she
has been talking online to someone she
does not know and they won’t stop sending
her messages. What should you do?
Issues affecting young people
Issues affecting young people
• Eating disorders
• Self-harm
• Alcohol, illegal drugs
and smoking
• Over-the-counter and
prescription drugs
•
•
•
•
Legal highs
Bereavement/loss
Mental health
Sex and relationships
What signs might you notice?
What action could you take?
Disclosures and reporting a
concern
What would you do?
Reporting a concern – dealing with a
disclosure
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Listen carefully
Trust what is being said
Offer support, reassurance and understanding
Explain you cannot keep it a secret
Stay calm
Do not investigate
Use open questions
Keep a record
Contact your Commissioner
Making a referral
• Is there reason to be concerned about the child’s
immediate safety?
• Have you taken account of the child’s right to
know what action, if any, will be taken?
• Have you provided for the child’s immediate
support needs?
Dealing with a disclosure
• Listen
• Believe
• Affirm
• Refer
• Support
Reporting a concern
1. If a young member is at immediate risk, you must contact the police.
Write a report and inform your Commissioner and Volunteer Support.
2. If you have concerns about a young member, call the NSPCC to refer
the information. Write a report and inform your Commissioner and
Volunteer Support.
3. It may be appropriate to monitor a young member and keep a record
of your concerns. Inform your Commissioner and if necessary,
escalate to point 1 or 2.
And finally!
• Guiding has always been about offering young
members fun, adventure and activity.
• All activities, even those in the meeting place,
carry an element of risk.
• The Girlguiding’s ‘A Safe Space’ guidelines form a
framework for activities to be carried out safely.