Scope of Policy
This policy covers members of all sections of the 8th Norwich (Norwich School) Sea Scout Group.
Guiding Principles
The Scout Promise and Law provide the essential elements of what every Beaver, Cub, Scout, Explorer and Leader should strive to achieve.
Respect for people and property is at the centre of how we should behave. Leaders, helpers, Young Leaders, Patrol Leaders, Sixers and their assistants hold positions of responsibility and should therefore set a good example.
This policy strives to create a culture in which behaviour that falls short of our expectations is picked up and individuals are given an opportunity to make the necessary changes for themselves. Persistent poor behaviour, or very serious offences, will be dealt with in a proportionate and consistent manner with the person’s interests and development as a central priority.
It is essential that we recognise good behaviour and praise those who perform well or change their behaviour for the better. Norwich School is keen to hear of good work and behaviour to contribute to its co-curricular merits.
Unacceptable Behaviour
Unacceptable behaviour can manifest in many forms.
The Cardinal Sins are:
- Mental and physical abuse, including all forms of bullying, aggressive and anti-social behaviour;
- Any breach of the Knife, Axe and Edged Tools Policy;
- Misuse of fire or flammable substances;
- Failure to observe safety rules;
- Theft;
- Malicious damage to property;
- Drugs, alcohol abuse, smoking and vaping (or any use of nicotine products).
Examples of minor, but still not tolerated, behaviour include:
- Rudeness and nastiness;
- Disrespect;
- Bad language;
- Disrupting the enjoyment or learning of others.
Leaders will be vigilant for and deal swiftly with incidents of bullying. Bullying should not become part of the culture and passed on from one year group to another, much like a “rite of passage”. This will not be tolerated.
Reporting
It is important that all incidents of concern involving the above are recorded so that trends can be monitored and appropriate support given to individuals. If in doubt, report it!
All our leaders will have access to our electronic reporting system to log behavioural issues in a consistent manner. Those submissions will be visible to the Group Lead Volunteer (GLV) and a limited subset of the Group’s management team.
The GLV will report a summary of any behavioural issues reported to the Trustee Board meetings.
Scouting, Norwich School and Sharing of Incidents
Our Scouting is an extension of schooling, but not an extension of Norwich School. It is to be expected that the cultures of the two organisations will be different, but the high expectations set by school life are not an excuse for bad behaviour in the Group.
Overwhelmingly, Norwich School and the Group share the same cohort of children and there is a common interest in their welfare, whether as victim or perpetrator.
Consistency in our collective expectations of the children is important. Sharing behavioural issues, if done discreetly and professionally, can help achieve this and get the right response.
The GLV provides the link for sharing details of incidents with Norwich School (e.g. Tutors, Housemasters or Principal Deputy Head):
- Bullying Incidents – will always be shared;
- Trends of poor behaviour – shared as appropriate;
Equally, the School may inquire of the GLV as to whether we are experiencing problems with individuals in the Group who may be struggling to conform at School.
Sanctions
Sanctions should be proportionate, timely, and reflect the context of a situation along with the history of an individual (first offence etc).
Most minor incidents should be dealt with at the time with a swift reprimand and verbal warning. Most often a quiet word will be effective at changing behaviours. However, leaders need to be aware that if the need arises sanctions can be escalated, and the following is a guide:
Minor Sanctions (Imposed by Section Team Leader)
- On the spot reprimand and warning, without an e-report;
- On the spot reprimand, with an e-report;
- Temporary removal from activity (sin bin approach to cool down and reflect for a few minutes);
- Extra Ops Duties (normally camps only, and this should be carefully done as giving service should be seen as an honourable thing and not necessarily a punishment);
- Reporting to a Section Team Leader or GLV;
- Sending home (collection by parent early by arrangement);
- Demotion (for PL/APL/Sixer/Seconder).
Major Sanctions (Imposed in consultation with the GLV)
When reprimands, warnings and minor sanctions have been applied but poor behaviour persists, or where a “Cardinal Sin” has been committed, then the following may be needed:
- Reporting to parents (verbal or in writing);
- Suspension – Normally for two weeks or more;
- Expulsion or transfer to another Group (in consultation with the District Commissioner).
If we decide to suspend someone for longer then we must honour our side of the contract and let them rejoin at the pre-arranged date with a clean sheet.
Scouts respond much more effectively to reprimands and warnings made as part of a quiet, considered one-to-one conversation. Sanctions and warnings carried out by a leader should, if possible, be witnessed by another leader/responsible adult and the appropriate report form used.
Where malicious damage is caused, the Group reserves the right to pursue replacement or repair from the parents of the person(s) concerned.
Questions or Concerns
If anyone has any questions or concerns about behaviour within the Group then they should discuss this with the GLV.
Updated April 2026
