Safe Scouting - 2 Scouter Rule
Over the past month, Safe Scouting has been addressing numerous incidents & reports which are either direct violations of the Two-Scouter Rule or caused by violations of the Two-Scouter Rule.
We would like to take this opportunity to reinforce the purpose of the Two-Scouter Rule, and it’s application through our most commonly experienced FAQ’s.
The Two-Scouter Rule and the Code of Conduct express how Scouts Canada ensures safe interactions with children and other members for the purposes of Scouting and Scouting contexts. It is one of the best tools we use to keep youth safe and is in place to prevent the grooming of youth, adults and the community by individuals who may wish to harm children through the normalization of one-to-one contact. Violations must be reported to Safe Scouting for review.
What is the Two Scouter Rule?
The Two Scouter Rule is the requirement for two registered Scouters to be always with youth. Notwithstanding Section ratios, two Scouters must always be within the field of view and within earshot of one another when with youth. The Two Scouter rule is an integral part of the Code of Conduct that applies to all Scouts Canada Volunteers and staff.
What should Scouters do if they arrive early to a meeting and other Scouters are not present? Do they remain alone with the youth?
Here are some options to consider if this happens to you:
- Stay outside in plain view.
- Ask parents to accompany you into the hall with the youth and wait with you until another Scouter arrives.
- Keep the meeting room door locked until you have another Scouter with you.
- At the beginning of the Scouting Year, inform parents about our procedures and processes to make sure everyone has a safe Scouting experience; this will help them understand how they can help in a situation like this.
- Please note: Your meeting place should always be ready to receive the youth. If you need to prepare an activity or clear gym equipment to make the space safe and ready, do so before the youth arrive. For your hall to be ready, this means you also have to have a second Scouter with you. If you cannot have a second Scouter, cancel the meeting.
Do Scouters under the age of 18 count towards ratio?
Yes, youth aged Scouters that have completed their Wood Badge Part I are Scouter Ready and count towards ratio. These youth are to be encouraged to work with, and be part of the Beaver, Cub and Scout Scouter teams.
*NOTE - A youth Scouter is a Scouter only when participating in the section activity they are volunteering in. The Two-Scouter Rule must be respected with these youth outside of those volunteering activities. I.e. you cannot drive a youth scouter to a meeting one on one as they are not participating in a Scouting activity while in transportation
If Scouters are not permitted to transport youth, then why do the Transportation Standards indicate that “The two-Scouter rule applies in all situations…including while transporting youth?
Parents are responsible for providing or arranging transport for their children. While Scouts Canada strongly recommends that Scouters do not transport youth, there may be situations where this is unavoidable. It is important that Scouters recognize that should they transport youth, they do so at their own risk, and as in all engagement with Scouting youth, the two-Scouter rule must be followed at all times.