Hi All,

Need a bit of advice. I had a Parent approach me last night and has made a comment that his son feels I am picking on him, he also claims to have spoken to other Parents who agree. The Parent has never stayed for one of our meetings and a 3 or 4 ever have so I find it difficult to see how these parents can all agree!

This all came out after a phone call to his parents complaining about his behaviour!!

Do I need to approach my GSL and make him aware, so that a meeting can be arranged involving the GSL, myself and the Parents or do I put this down to a parent listening to a child who is trying to differ blame.

Thanks

Stuart

This is probably one of the most difficult things to del with in a Scout Troop. I have had similar experiences where a boy accused one of my leaders of punching him. The situation escalated to Group, then to District. The leader had been suspended from attending meetings. At the final meeting where the leader was going to be asked to leave the movement, the boy finally owned up and said that nothing had happened. In his own words "the leader said something to me that I did not like, so I decided to tell my father that he punched me". As they say from small acorns...

In terms of discipline within the Troop, we have a code of conduct which both the Scout and the parent has to sign before the Scout is invested. This then forms the basis of any complaints to the parents about the behavior of their son or daughter. In some cases, and this is often after a final warning, the GSL will be involved. I cannot expel a boy from the Troop. This has to be agreed by the GSL and the ADC (Scouts).

I would suggest that for the future you draw up such a code. If you need any more help with this, I will send you a copy of our code. Just let me have an e-mail address and I wiill send it to you.

I would suggest talking with your GSL. We have had an similar instance recently, but it was involving a helper being accused - we have agreed that myself or ABSL will deal with this member and not the helper - which seems to be working for now. Our GSL is always down for section meetings, so if there are any problems regarding any members, he can see for himself what is happening. He isn't in the hall watching all the time, but is able to hear if certain people are 'playing up'. We also have a group code of conduct, again the parents sign it. After I think 3 consecutive warnings regarding bad behaviour, the parents are called in, then if it happens again after talking with their parents, then the member may be asked to leave. Up to now, it hasn't come to this, but it has come really close. We don't have as much trouble with parents at Beaver level, but at scout level, I know their behaviour can worsen, as they are getting to that 'lovely' age! It tends to be the older ones who cause more of a headache for our GSL than the younger ones.

I would certainly put your GSL in the picture, that's what they are there for, to advise and help out!