As you will probably have heard, the Government have announced a review and remodelling of the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) and, in order to carry out this review have halted the implementation of the scheme planned for late July 2010.

Whilst the VBS will not be implemented as planned, the requirement for Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosures remains unchanged. As part of the planned VBS, changes to the CRB application process were planned which entailed moving from the existing postal process to an on-line process known as eCRB. This new eCRB process will continue to be implemented from 26th July 2010.

CRB disclosure searches will continue to be processed by the Appointments Sub-Committee only and no applications can be sought by individuals or groups themselves. The existing CRB application form is now obsolete as far as Scouting is concerned.

New Adult Application (AA) and Occasional Helper (OH) forms have been produced and are now available from the Scout Information Centre’s online catalogue at www.scouts.org.uk/infocentre. These forms combine the old AA and OH format with the existing CRB application form and therefore contain all the information needed for an application to be made under eCRB. The AA form should be used as before for those seeking a formal role in scouting whilst the OH form is to be used for those undertaking any occasional help whether it be help at section meetings or as parents at camp.  It is only by the completion of these forms that the necessary CRB check can be made.

With immediate effect, all applications should now be submitted using the new AA and OH forms. These must include the relevant identity checks evidenced by an appropriate member in accordance with recently issued guidelines. The form must then be sent to Rod Pilkington, joint secretary to the Appointments Sub-Committee whose details are as below. Rod will conduct an initial vetting process including the CRB disclosure request using the eCRB system before passing the application to Lynda Clifford, the other joint secretary, who will conduct the remainder of the appointments process including taking the necessary references.

Will those submitting applications ensure these forms are passed to Rod as soon as possible after completion. The CRB process time can vary considerably depending on the police forces concerned and any extra delays caused in passing applications on for processing can cause difficulties. It is no use complaining that the appointments process is taking too long if you have sat with the application in your briefcase for two weeks at the start.

 

 

 

Two other new forms have been introduced:

1. Change of Role (CR) form.

This should be used if someone is changing their role or to apply for an additional role in scouting. It cannot be used if a new CRB is required when an AA form should be used instead.

2. Repeat CRB Check (RCRB) Form.

This should be used where existing volunteers need to apply for a new CRB disclosure such as at an appointment review ( currently after 5 years).

It is likely that there could be some delays in processing new applications and CRB checks as we switch from one system to another especially as we now have to wait to see the revised eCRB system necessary following then suspension of VBS. The appointments members will do everything to keep these delays to a minimum. If you have any queries regarding these new procedures, contact Rod Pilkington as below.

 

Rod Pilkington
Norfolk House
7 Robins Wood Road
Aspley Park
Nottingham NG8 3LA

Tel:   07793 034831
e-mail:  rgp.mc@btinternet.com

Christine MacPhee

 

Christine is the very proud winner of the Development Cup this year, presented at the District AGM which was held at the District Camp over May Bank Holiday weekend.

 

Christine is also being awarded a Community Award by the Area 9 community on Thursday 1st July for her work in establishing 1st Park Gate Scout Group.

 

The cup was won by Christine for all the hard work she has put in over the past year in growing the movement. Christine has been leading the way on opening Scout Groups within the City. She started with Park Gate in South Clifton last summer, then moved onto re-opening a Group in the Meadows, which wil be registered as the 26th, and most recently re-starting Scouting in St Anns with the re-opening of the 4th.

 

Around 30 young prople from these new Groups attended their first camp last weekend at Walesby, and can't wait for the next one!

 

While Christine is the winner of the cup, she has not done it alone. There have been many other leaders supporting Christine with the opening of these new Groups. It has been great to see leaders from other Groups supporting the new ones - this is what Scouting today is about. I am proud of you all.

 

 

We are now recruiting District Section Leaders for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts for each of the ADC(Group Support) Areas.

The District Leaders will all report to a new role of ADC(Programme Support). Jon Bugg has been appointed to this role. The District Leaders will also have a dotted line to the ADC(Group Support). The District Leaders will only operate in their local Scouting Area.

To end the national week for volunteers, an event was held in the Market Square, Nottingham on Saturday 5th June. We had a stall at the event with the aim of recruiting new leaders.

To get ourselves noticed we had some pop up tents, and a rope machine that we were demonstrating the making of rope from toilet paper. Our stall was popular, and we came away with a number of leads for new leaders that we will be following up in the next week or so.

Bear Grylls , Chief Scout also sent out a message to all volunteers at the end of volunteers week - click the link to see it.

The date of this years District Sleepover has just been announced as July 10th/11th 2010. The venue is our District camp site at Walesby. We will be utilising one of the large temporary facilities for the event, which has a kitchen area, running water, and plenty of space for activities.

Details will be available at the leader meeting being held at the High School on Thursday 10th June

Did you know about this?
Tell us how your Group are connecting with the local community...
Sou’Westers Scout Fellowship
Sou’westers work in the paediatric wards each Thursday evening, are now in their 30th year of providing a service at the QMC

We are a small group of volunteers (from an ex scouting background) 10 in number, are self - financing and provide a “party” for patients and siblings alike. We take children in beds, in wheel chairs, on drips, and subject to medical direction from the Ward Manager; no child is barred from joining us

Our parties take on differing formats, are largely dependent on the number and age groups of patients that are available, so a rigid structure is neither possible nor desirable, as we do not want, particularly for long-term patients, to be too predictable.

We hold themed evenings such as: – Easter, Christmas, Bonfire, Children in Need, Halloween, to name but a few. Our objective is for the patient to be able to join us away from their bed space, have fun, let off steam, and hopefully quickly fall to sleep afterwards

We welcome and encourage family members to join us, so for an hour, they also get respite from the hospital environment by entering into the party spirit with their children

On those evenings when numbers are low, we have different games that all involved can join in with.

At the end of our parties, each child takes away a bag of sweets and chocolate (where permitted) a balloon, and on a birthday or another special occasion, a small present and card as a reminder of their time with us.

As a body, we aim to provide a therapeutic opportunity to all age groups who find themselves receiving medical attention in the QMC, and hopefully our small input is of benefit in a speedy aid to recovery.

If you are interested in being involved with this project, please contact the DC

 

 

 

 

 

Market Square, City of Nottingham, NG1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Flewitt was appointed District Commissioner to the City of Nottingham Scouts on 1st June 2009. Last night, 24th June, the District held its AGM at the 7th Nottingham Scout HQ in Wollaton. Following the formal business of the meeting, Chris presented his vision for the future for City Scouts, and his new District support team.

There are 3 main areas of support:

a team with a focus on ensuring as many young people as possible get the opportunity to try new activities, with a focus on outdoor adventure
a team with a focus on supporting our Group leadership teams, providing encouragement, supporting growth initiatives, ensuring our leaders have the opportunity to express their ideas, inspiration and challenges
a focus on improving relationships with the local community, in working with other organisations in the community, and creating more opportunities for our young people.
Communication also needs to improve, with less reliance on email, and more reliance on talking to each other, both internally, and externally.

 

Several Scout Groups in the City of Nottinham contributed to the Sherwood Festival held at Woodthorpe Park on Saturday 20th June, which attracted well over 5000 people throughout the day.
The Scouting presence included a climbing wall and a monkey-bridge, both of which attracted vast numbers of eager young people keen to take on the challenge activity each provided.
Many young people were keen to find out more about the exciting challenges offered by Scout groups throughout the City and in the neighbouring County and the Public Relations tent handed out hundreds of leaflets to prospective youth members and volunteer adult helpers.
Following the event we have already "signed up" two new leaders and seen new faces at several Groups in the area across all sections.
Scouts also did a brisk trade in hotdogs, burgers and hot peas, keeping a willing band of leaders and parent supporters busy throughout the day and the Tombola almost ran out of prizes!
Well over 100 potted plants were also sold to raise funds to support young people who have the joined City Scout contingent which will be visiting the Kandersteg World Scout Centre for a week's camp in August 2010.
A camping display provided by Millets - the camping and outdoor specialists - also attracted considerable interest. They ran a tent packing competition through out the day, with the winner taking home a "Pop-Up" tent as a prize.
We are grateful to members of the public for their support on the day, and hope to see you all at next year's Sherwood Festival when we hope to have the added attraction of archery for all to participate in!

Chris Flewitt, the new District Commissioner announced his new team at the AGM

The City of Nottingham Scouts will be at the forefront of the Sherwood Festival which is taking place on 20th June at Woodthorpe Park in the City from 12noon to 8.00pm.Following the success of last year’s event, the City of Nottingham Council’s Neighbourhood Management Team invited the City Scouts to extend their involvement at this year’s event and the District has taken up the challenge!Scouting attractions will includea climbing wall, a monkey bridge made by the local scouts, mini–pioneering challenges for young people, a camping display (courtesy of Millets), a large public relations area with videos of scouting, and details of all City Groups, a hotdog and burger stall