My child is asking to join the scouts and I’m in two minds.

Well said @RedToothBrush

The OP is being really obtuse if she thinks there is a greater issue in Scouting than there is in any other organisation when young people spend a lot of time.

This is clearly a one sided smear campaign.

Of course there have been occasions where people with awful motives have managed to infiltrate organisation where there are young people. ALL organisations. It is a terribly sad fact of life. Plenty of posters on here have pointed out how Scouts have been at the forefront of reviewing and modifying their Safeguarding policy and training on a regular basis. Others have suggested conversations that might help her dd (in the World generally, not just at Scouts). Many have pointed out how belonging to a good Scout Group have benefited their children and teens.

However, as it is entirely voluntary to join, she does not have to send her dd there and everyone, except her dd, will be happy.

Thanks - I knew they had stopped male children joining but didn’t think it applied to adult helpers

I don't think they are.

The big one at the moment is actually abuse by tutors.

Let's pretend that schools don't have issues that are current too.

It's all about Scouts though and how awful they are even though the OP hasn't the foggiest idea what has changed and couldn't be bothered to read the article they quoted.

🙄

Then you must be aware that Sports teams etc have similar historical issues?,

Both of my sons did beavers. I helped out a few times. Never had any safeguarding concerns.

Some of the leaders were great, others weren’t very switched on IMO. Luck of the draw. Round here they all seemed to know each other so getting into scouts was a “who you know” kind of thing and not necessarily because they were any good at it. No point making a complaint to the GSL because they were best buddies with half of the leaders.

The other thing I noticed was that the behaviour of the kids wasn’t great. Seemed to be a fashionable thing for parents to send their badly behaved kids to scouts to get them out of their hair for an hour. Very cheap babysitting. The leaders spent half of the session just doing behaviour management. It was a shame because it did mean ds2 quit beavers before he “graduated”.

Parents can volunteer their time and stay at sessions in the Scout Association. They won’t be allowed to be in a 1-1 situation with children or young people and will remain under the supervision of leaders who have been DBS checked.
It might be worthwhile to read the Scout Association policies online to clarify the safeguarding policy of the UK Scout Association rather than make assumptions.

How about guides instead

Are they not still allowing trans women to be leaders then?

My son was in scouts from the same age, he’s now nearly 20 and a leader. I suppose it helped that the area leader for my area was a very close and trusted friend. My son has had some incredible experiences and made lifelong friends. But as others have said you don’t have to send them on camps etc if you don’t want to

Yours in Scouting?
This is their current petition:

The Scout Association has responded to our campaign to address its safeguarding practices and take action to protect children under their care. They will be:

1. Setting up a Lived Experience Board, comprised of people who have experienced abuse whilst members of The Scout Association
2. Setting up an independently reviewed inspection programme responsible for monitoring the conduct of volunteers
3. Changing the safeguarding escalation pathway so that concerns are reported directly to their national paid safeguarding team, not via volunteers in the local area

To further protect all children involved in youth organisations, particularly those run by volunteers, we are calling on the The Government to:

1. Add volunteers and leaders from uniformed youth organisations to the ‘Positions of Trust’ legislation, making it illegal for them to have sexual relationships with 16 and 17 year olds under their care
2. Require charities running residential trip for children to be subject to an independent inspection regime

Just as an aside but at 11 you absolutely should be trying to explain grooming to your child. They're old enough to have had sex Ed at school so you definitely should have broached it by now. Apologies if you have x

I think you either let your DD go but give her the talk about being aware of grooming, sexual abuse and so on or you don’t let her go and she misses out.

I agree with pp just because there’s safeguarding and DBS checks doesn’t mean abuse still doesn’t happen.

Oh look.
According to the association, 96% of claims related to offences that happened prior to 2013 - with many from the 1960s to 1990s. But some have happened more recently, including in the last few years.

But yeah do crack on with your thread.

Let's be honest. This thread is because you have a grudge against the scouts and are trying get publicity.

This isn't because you are remotely considering letting your daughter go to Scouts.

This is dishonest shit stirring to smear the good character of all the hard working volunteers who aren't remotely involved in this.

You just want to destroy Scouts.

I thought as much from your initial posts.

What are the current systemic failures you are concerned about?

Youll probably have to anyway tbh - just to give your kid a chance to get a place.

But has the specific scout group? And the scouting association have acknowledged previous failures in safeguarding and done something about them. Your schools trust may well have very serious failings in its safeguarding policy but been lucky enough for no child to have been affected.

Why, best thing my dd did was join the rainbows then the brownies....it be scouts if she wanted. The confidence and life skills and friends she has made ....