The safety of all participants is our priority at any Scout event. Keeping children and young people Safe from Harm is at the heart of our Scouting mission. It is a core policy of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) that young people and adults are protected.
We always aim to keep people physically safe and healthy during activities and around the campsite. It is equally important to keep them safe from harm by others or themselves. Events should not go ahead until they have a practical Safe from Harm plan in place and the means to deliver it.
All adults taking part are accountable for the safety of children and young people participating in World and Regional events. These guidelines are designed to support the hosts of World or Regional Scout Events to create a safe environment for all participants and the planning team, before, and during the event. Follow the full process step by step to ensure a strong Safe from Harm structure for your event.
The annexes contain templates and support materials that you can use for your event. At the end of each section, a special page is dedicated to National Scout Events and any specific requirements that should be brought to the attention of the planning team.
This document supports the preparation and delivery of a successful and safe event. Do not hesitate to reach out to WOSM for support through the Safe from Harm Service. Happy Scouting!
Introduction
Children, young people, and adults have the right to feel safe at any Scout event. It is the planning team’s responsibility, in partnership with all the adults present during the planning and delivery phase of the event, to ensure Safe from Harm is a reality for all.
These Safe from Harm guidelines for World and Regional Scout Events contain recommendations, templates, examples, tips, and ideas on how to carry Safe from Harm at your Scout event, from the day you become host to the closure of your event. The guidelines are divided into three parts:
• Planning – Highlights the initial phase of the Safe from Harm framework with the recruitment and training of the Safe from Harm operational team, and the design of the different documents and materials that form the basis of the Safe from Harm framework for an event.
• Preparing – Outlines the various types of risk present at events and how to prepare adults and young people to face them thanks to e-learning and
communication materials ahead of the event. It also covers the logistical aspect of Safe from Harm.
• Responding – Covers the development and implementation of the Safe from Harm procedures and case management during the delivery phase of an event.
These guidelines will facilitate the development of your Safe from Harm framework. If you have any further questions on this topic, reach out to WOSM’s World Events team or Safe from Harm team.
