July Newsletter

General Information:
eCRB checks, the Vetting and Barring Scheme & the new forms

On the 26 July, the implementation of the Vetting & Barring Scheme was due to begin, meaning that adults working or volunteering with young people or vulnerable adults would have to be registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority. However the new coalition government has stopped the implementation of this pending a review of the scheme, but not the requirements for a CRB check which remain unchanged.

It is very important that all leaders are aware of the CRB requirements and apply to Mike for the appropriate form as soon as any adults involved with a group fall into the categories listed below;

In Scouting this means that anyone who is over 18 and:
• wishes to become a Member or Associate Member; or
• may have unsupervised access to young people; or
• will have involvement with the handling or management of funds; or
• will be assisting with overnight activities (including Nights Away); or
• will be helping out once a month or more, or on 4 or more days in a 30 day period

will need to be CRB checked before their 4th weekly meeting or before undertaking any overnight activity, whichever occurs first.

The new forms cover both their registration on the Scout Associations membership database and their application for a CRB Disclosure.
The "Occasional Helper" (OH) form should be used by those people who require a CRB check but are not taking on a formal role or appointment.
The "Adult Application" (AA) form should be used by new volunteers to apply for their role in Scouting and their CRB check.

In addition there are two additional forms which will be used by existing volunteers.
The "Repeat CRB check" (RCRB) form used to apply for a repeat CRB Disclosure. (Note - a CRB check is only valid for 5 years)
The "Change of Role" (CR) form used to change an existing volunteers role or to apply for an additional role. (If their current CRB check is 5 years old then an AA form should be used instead)

All the new forms are available from Mike.
Copies of the old AA, OH & CRB forms should now be scrapped.

Congratulations to ...

... to Major Mark Gibson who has been awarded the Queen's Voluntary Reserves Medal (QVRMedal) Royal Marine Reserve in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Mark is a parent helper at the 10th Oldham, Knolls Lane Beaver Colony.

Recent Events:
District Centenary Camp

The District Camp / Beaver Sleepover was a great success enjoyed by 200 youth members and their leaders. The weather couldn't have been better and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, in fact the leaders don't know how the children managed to keep on going despite getting very little sleep, but they did.

On the Friday night after a short welcome and camp fire there was a wide game game which saw everyone running their little legs off as they went round and round in search of the "post-it" notes before retiring to bed.

10 Beaver colonies were represented and the activities enjoyed by the Beavers included Go Karting, Trampoline, Bouldering wall, Bazooka's, Wetting the Leaders and Explorers, Crafts and Slippery slope (very popular) amongst many other things.

One Beaver celebrated a 7th birthday and a huge cake was shared by all.

Meanwhile the Cubs and Scouts on Saturday and Sunday got the opportunity to keep cool canoeing and rafting with everyone chilling our on the slippery slope again and again. The bouldering wall kept everyone off the ground with more adventurous climbing activities on the “cube” a large construction of low and high rope challenges. Pedal carts, archery, shooting, soaking stool, team building challenges, geo-cashing, fire lighting, dough twists, rocket making, space age hats, face painting, splat the rat, plus many other exciting crafts were all available.

There were also two centenary cakes shared by everyone

A very big thank you to all the leaders who worked hard over the weekend and to our explorers who helped running bases throughout the weekend. Here’s to the next 100 years in Oldham.

Explorers:

The Explorers recently had a night out at Grains Bar playing Pitch & Put with Anne keeping her eyes out for low flying balls.

The 4 Explorers nominated by Oldham District to attend the next World Jamboree in Sweeden during 2011 have officially been presented to the County and received their yellow and blue neckerchiefs.

Future Events:
Beaver Trip:

This District Beaver trip to Lightwater Valley, Ripon will take place on 25th September 2010.

The total cost will be £25 and a non returnable deposit of £10 is required by Anne no later than 18th July in order that the coaches can be booked.

Scouting Promotion Day:

This has now been rearranged and will be part of the People's Carnival & fun day in Alexandra Park over the weekend 7th and 8th August. Help is required to man the stall and provide members of the public with information about Scouting, anyone who can help either for an hour or all day is asked to contact their ADC.

Centenary Dinner:

A reminder to everyone that the district is holding a dinner at Uppermill Civic Hall on Saturday, 6th November to celebrate the centenary of Scouting in Oldham.

If you have not already put this date into your diary please do so now so that you will be free to come along and meet old and new friends in a social atmosphere and reminisce about the events you were part of years ago.

Circulation:

If you have any new leaders who not receive their own copy of this newsletter or if you are no longer involved with Oldham Scouts and do not want to receive any more copies of this newsletter then please send an e-mail to Mike at the address shown at the top of this e-mail or as shown in the Contact Us tab on the website.

 

This page was last updated on 01 July 2010 by Mike Riddle