Girlguiding UK enjoys an excellent reputation for providing a safe environment for its members to enjoy activities, whether indoors or outside.

Our Leaders

All our adult Leaders follow clear safety guidelines and undertake a Leadership Qualification. And many do additional training in play-work and youth-work.

Are criminal-record checks carried out on adults helping at units?

All new Leaders and those who have unsupervised access to girls and young women are asked to agree to a check through the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

Until 1 April 2002 we were unable to carry out checks on our volunteers. However, we are retrospectively checking all volunteers who joined us before this date and are currently approximately halfway through this process.

In addition to criminal-record checks, all volunteers are asked to complete our Warrant Reference (W/R) form. This involves:

• Providing two referees who can confirm the volunteer’s suitability to work with specific age groups.
• Disclosing any criminal convictions involving children and/or young people or involving dishonesty/deception.
• Signing a declaration that they agree to abide by Our Safe from Harm Policy.

When a volunteer has been with us for three years, he/she is asked to complete a renewal form (W/ren), which, once again, requests details regarding any criminal convictions.

Are Leaders being rechecked by the CRB on a regular basis?

The Government is currently working on legislation to introduce a Vetting and Barring list, which will contain a list of all individuals who are considered unsuitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.  Once this legislation has been passed, Girlguiding UK will make a decision on whether a programme of rechecking should be introduced.

As a parent, can I ask to see references/disclosures relating to adults working in my daughter’s unit?

All information held regarding adults in guiding is held in confidence. We are governed by criteria laid down in the Data Protection Act and the CRB Code of Practice regarding retention and disposal of personal data.
When a new volunteer joins Girlguiding UK he/she does not have unsupervised access to girls and young women until all the necessary checks have taken place.  Once the checks are complete, a volunteer is issued with a Membership or Recognised Volunteer card which any volunteer would be more than happy to show you.

Further information

If you have any questions, please email Ann Matthews on ann.matthews@girlguiding.org.uk .

Online safety

For information on online safety, please click on one of the following links:

Tips for Brownies on safe surfing
Tips for Leaders and parents on using social networking sites
Advice for Leaders in setting up a guiding website