Safeguarding issues in the Girl Guiding movement

[EishetChayil]

Parents of daughters in the Girl Guides - what do you think about the new lead commissioner for the Southwell division?

"Monica Sulley" also goes by the name of "Monica Tetley", and used this name to sign Aimee Challenor's open letters (a quick Google will shed some light on why this might be a safeguarding issue). This is just the latest in a series of WTF moves from GG.

My DD isn't old enough for Guides yet, but if she was, I would be thinking twice about sending her if this is deemed suitable as leadership. Perhaps this makes me a huge transphobic TERF witch bigot, but there we go.

I don't think what an adult dies in their personal life has anything to do with their suitability for being a GG leader tbh.

Really? That's kind of worrying.

@WhatAHexIGotInto

I don't think what an adult dies in their personal life has anything to do with their suitability for being a GG leader tbh.

Really? That's kind of worrying.

If what they do in their personal life doesn’t make anyone unsuitable for the job, then presumably the opposite is true also.

What they do doesn’t make them suitable either.

So all the things people would normally list to become a volunteer- safeguarding experience, childcare experience, GG experience, camping experience, sporting experience, crafting experience, charitable experience or whatever else, just not necessary anymore.

So not only are non women welcome to lead girls but they need have zero relevant experience whatsoever. According to Pp’s line of thought.

Interestingly the main daily mail picture of this person shows them in scout leader uniform with a couple of long service awards.

So not only are non women welcome to lead girls but they need have zero relevant experience whatsoever. According to Pp’s line of thought.

When it comes to this particular group of men, lack of experience is no barrier.

@RedCarpetRebellion

Not to disrespect posters still here though.

Glad you came back to clarify this.

Organisations that prioritise sexual politics over child safeguarding have no business working with children.

What MrsOverton said. Exactly.

Have there been any updates on this? More press coverage? Action from Guides?

I have pulled my DD from the organisation immediately and emailed the reasons why.
I will not send her somewhere that has such appalling safeguarding policies.

@iguanadonna

Have there been any updates on this? More press coverage? Action from Guides?

They appear to be trying to brush concern's under the carpet and blame 'transphobia'.

They appear to be trying to brush concern's under the carpet and blame 'transphobia'.

That is such a massive surprise. I am shocked, shocked I tell you.

They aren't brushing anything under any carpet. This is not an admin error, this is a specific appointment. If you still think GG are being naive, you are mistaken.

When people came back and read about this, the appointment will all make sense as to where GG will end up. They will not be able to say 'we didn't know'. Because they do know.

I complained via the gg website and this morning had this reply:

Thank you for your email.

The safety and wellbeing of our members is our absolute priority. We follow rigorous recruitment and vetting procedures, have clear policies, and a volunteer code of conduct which volunteers are expected to follow to keep our members safe. We are aware of the concerns you have raised.

We are looking into this as a matter of urgency and will provide the necessary support and action in line with our compliance procedures.

Kind Regards
Complaints and Compliance

It's worth noting this is a cut and paste of their reply on Twitter.

They are so bothered by Monica's behaviour on social media that, after hiding the page on Nottinghamshire gg "meet the team ", the page is back up with Monica Sulley there as commissioner for Southwell.

Girlguiding does have safeguarding policies- all leaders have to have an uptodate DBS, we have to do regular safeguarding training (without which we can't continue as leaders) and there is also a detailed social media policy.
Remember it was a breach of the social media policies which led (ostensibly) to leaders being sacked when they questioned safeguarding issues.
Our area is pretty strict about the rules, it seems from the thread on FWR, other areas less so.

This particular leader seems to have been given a special dispensation-
I have no idea why

They aren't brushing anything under any carpet. This is not an admin error, this is a specific appointment. If you still think GG are being naive, you are mistaken.

I didn't mean the appointment - I think that was purposeful. I meant the appointees behaviour.