Cheshire Scouts+ May 2018

May 2018 Edition

The General Data Protection Regulation comes into force on 25 May – it will continue to apply even after the UK has withdrawn from the EU.

Compass and Online Scout Manager are compliant with the GDPR but every Group needs to be aware that they (technically, the Group Executive Committee) are the data controller for other records (digital or hard copy) held by the Group and must comply with the law. Headquarters have provided extensive guidance to all Groups, so have a look at it to make sure there are no problems at your end.

Cheshire Scouts will launch its revised privacy statement over the coming weeks.

Geoff Taylor Receives OBE

Former County Commissioner and Cheshire Scout’s Vice President Geoff Taylor pictured here with the Lord Mayor of Chester and Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire Mr David Briggs MBE presented the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for services to the Scouts and Community of Chester. The Investiture Ceremony took place at Tatton Park on the 25th April.

Online Safety Survey (Reminder)

We all know that being “online” and connected is a critical part of a young persons life. At the same time there appears to be daily concerns raised about the safety of children using online services, many of which are a complete mystery to parents and Scout Leaders.

As part of a project by the local children’s safeguarding board (who are tasked with overseeing all statutory support services for children and young people) Cheshire Scouts have been asked to take part in a survey, designed by young people for young people. It is suitable for Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts.

The survey was created by Sandbach High School & Sixth Form and was used as a pupil survey. They have kindly agreed to allow Cheshire Scouts to use it. Our aim is simply to see how safe young people in Scouting feel online. This survey is completely anonymous, there will be no follow up to any answers given by young people, their identity is completely hidden.
Online Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/scoutssafeonline

Having completed the survey if a young person has any concerns or needs to talk to someone about the answers you have given or memories it has triggered, they are directed (at the end of the survey) to contact Childline anonymously for free on 0800 1111 or they can always talk to someone at school, a friend or a family member.

Leaders are encouraged to build this as an activity in their programme during April and to encourage as many youth members as possible to take part. The survey can only be completed online, however if this is impossible a paper version can be used with completed forms sent to Joanne Evans Stone, Cheshire Young Carers, Northern Lights Business Park, Rossfield Road, Ellesmere Port CH65 3AW. Please make sure no names are on any completed forms. Click here to download the paper version.

The survey will close on Friday May 11.

REC Level 2 – First Aid Course (Reminder)

19 – 20 May 2018 at the Heath Conference Centre, Runcorn

This course is designed to support Cheshire Leaders (aged 18+) who are interested in gaining first aid knowledge beyond the “First Response” course and is focused on providing first aid connected to outdoor Scouting. It is now the minimum requirement for those wishing to be part of the County First Aid Team. The course will be run by Ron Gemmell from Outdoor Approach who is a Scouter in Warrington.

There are 7 places so first come, first served. For more information and to book click here.