To think my child should be guaranteed a place in beavers?

[TheQueenInTheNorth]

I'm a cub leader at our local scout group and have children already spread out amongst the sections. My youngest is finally old enough to join her sibling in beavers which has been talked about by other leaders and assumed she would be starting as soon as she was of age, she has even taken part with beavers with me as I've had childcare issues. Other times I've had her with me in cubs and as she has special needs, she's been a handful with being bored in an older age group, which has made it more difficult for me in my role as a leader. I have now been told that there in no space for her in the beaver group and I can't help thinking that she should have already been on a waiting list and should have a slight advantage with her siblings being part of the group and her mother being a leader

They don't have to be mind readers if she already talked to them about the arrangements for your DD starting Beavers.

I think it's absolutely disgraceful OP after all the time you've given to the Scout movement.

@NorthernLightss they are due back this thursday, there was a planning meeting tonight which I told them I would not be attending. I have also let another leader know about what has happened which they agreed it was awful and out of order and hoped that I would come back in time. Still not heard from the gsl apart from a group chat message to inform everyone of the meeting

@ittakes2 I wasn't even aware there was a waiting list till just before christmas even though we had spoke several times previously about dd starting in january. They even had my daughter take part in a few sessions with me present as a sort of transition as she was struggling in Cubs with me, the gsl arranged this himself as she was due to start soon anyway

I would walk, explaining that if DD doesn't have a place you have no one to watch her so cannot carry out your volunteer duties.

Walk. But walk on the most inconvenient time you possibly can. Fuck them.
Don’t make it easy for them

Presumably your young daughter is expecting to start beavers this week then? I hope you can present it to her in a way that won't make her upset. I imagine she won't deal with the uncertainty well, and would do better if you have a plan, even if that is too start at a future date with another group. Ideally the leaders who caused this should be the ones to tell her and deal with the upset.
I may have said it before, but I really think they've behaved terribly. They must have known how keen she was to officially start beavers.

As there was a meeting tonight you can guarantee that it will have been discussed. Give them until tomorrow to get back to you. Although I would have expected a call tonight.

This is unbelievably bad form from the leaders.

They must be the only unit falling over themselves with volunteers to be able to behave like that to one of their own.

Sadly I think they are discriminating against your daughter due to her additional needs. One option might be for you to say you will volunteer with beavers from now on once she is accepted instead of volunteering with cubs?

If they think your volunteerism is conditional, they will surely either join her up or indeed transfer you so you enter as a package?

Still no contact from them?

I can't believe how short sighted they are being. In the long-term they will lose out more than you. Foolish behaviour from them.

Well more fool them. If that's the way they want it, I'd fire in your letter of resignation.

Dear GSL
Please accept my resignation from the group from immediate effect.
I will not I arrange activities for other peoples children while my own child is upset and forced to sit at home with a babysitter.

Wish you well finding a replacement leader.

I know it's a bit blunt and too the point but really what did they expect? Were they seriously trying to call your bluff?

You and DD are worth more than that. I'm fuming on your behalf. I wanted to give benefit of the doubt but surely it's been discussed by now.

What did you do about cubs tonight--did your other children attend?

Furious for you, OP!

Oh what a bunch of rotters. My dd did beavers, cubs and now scouts and she’s got so much out of it. The leaders volunteer so much more time than just the weekly meetings. Dd’s group went camping for six days during a week of torrential downpours this summer. Apparently it was like the somme but everyone had an amazing time. All the adults who made that happen deserve canonising.

I support with Beavers and as a result DS2 was able to start at 5 3/4 as he was there anyway with DS1 and I in the unit. He's an energetic child and had been quite silly, but the day he put his uniform on and became a Beaver, he changed his mindset as it was now his thing and not tagging along as little brother. I joined not long after DS1 as there was a leader shortage that arose, although since then, some young leaders have come of age.

I hope it is just sloppy communication, and not a SEN predjudice. We had a bit of confusion over DS1 moving up. I was asked when he joined, but circumstances had changed (including being a leader!) which affected my choice of unit, but with being there, no one actually thought to double-check until the last moment. Fortunately there was space. Being a leader when different sections overlap the same timeslot in different locations is interesting... (Our group is scattered across 3 locations).

Both my Beaver and Brownie units have had children with SENs that needed reasonable adjustments. One child had a trained 1:1 through a local charity. A couple have had special permission to stay longer in our unit (Guiding) until they were socially and emotionally ready to move up a stage, to a more advanced and independent programme. Scouting and Guiding have a lot to offer children with SENs when you have the right attitude from the leaders.

Still no news op?
I'm furious on your behalf and I really hope your dd gets to join whichever group she decides she wants to.

Did the GSL get back in touch?

Did they definitely get your messages?

No reply at all seems so odd