British Girlguiding Overseas
Policies, Procedures & Opening a New Unit
Safeguarding Policy
BGO Lead volunteer has a point of contact for safeguarding in each Branch - normally the commissioner. She also has a county lead safeguarding volunteer in each of the MABEL (Middle East and Africa, Asia, Benelux and France, Europe, and Lones) counties.
Process for Reporting
| Type of Report | BGO | Branches |
| Life threatening | Contact British Embassy for advice Contact local commissioner Contact Chief Commissioner to contact BGO safeguarding lead volunteer to contacts HQ | Contact local Police Contact local commissioner Contact Chief Commissioner – BGO safeguarding lead volunteer - HQ |
| Serious but not life threatening | Contact Chief Commissioner to contact BGO safeguarding lead volunteer to contact HQ | Contact local commissioner Contact Chief Commissioner – BGO safeguarding lead volunteer - HQ |
| Concern | Contact Chief Commissioner to contact BGO safeguarding lead volunteer to contact HQ | Contact local commissioner Contact Chief Commissioner – BGO safeguarding lead volunteer - HQ |
| Historic concern | Contact HQ directly | Contact HQ directly |
Responsibilities of all BGO safeguarding team
BGO safeguarding lead liaise with HQ – supports volunteer who has received the disclosure.
Chief Commissioner supports leader making report/ local commissioner/ island commissioner.
Deputy Chief Commissioner does this when Chief Commissioner is not available or if a volunteer is more comfortable with Deputy Chief Commissioner.
Inclusion policy within Girlguiding
Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, all girls and adults are welcome. In Girlguiding, we give all girls and volunteers an equal sense of belonging.
The statement of purpose on our Equality and Diversity Policy reads:
Girlguiding is part of a global youth movement that celebrates diversity and is committed to equality and respect for all our members and potential members.
Our vision is an equal world where all girls can make a positive difference, be happy, safe and fulfil their potential. To achieve this vision we hold ourselves, those acting on our behalf and our members to high standards of conduct. This includes treating all young members and volunteers fairly, with respect and with dignity.
Girlguiding policies and supporting information provide a structure in which guiding can take place safely, consistently and in accordance with the law.
Our equality and diversity policy must be followed by all Girlguiding members and volunteers.
Girlguiding aims to be an equal opportunities provider of services and association of members.
British Girlguiding Overseas has an Inclusion Adviser, who is there to answer any questions and give any help and support needed to make sure that every girl and volunteer in our units has equal opportunities.
Opening a New Unit
Girlguiding and WAGGGS have drawn up some guidelines and we have to be very strict about them.
Before a unit can open you should tell us:
- Where will your unit meet?
- You must have at least 2 adults willing to undertake the Leadership Qualification. Please tell us their names.
- How many girls are interested?
- What are their nationalities?
- Are the girls willing to buy the correct uniform from Girlguiding?
- Will your unit be able to afford the subscription fees for all adult and girl members. This is due annually to Girlguiding in February.
Please also note the following important points:
- 50% of the girls must be British or 75% from across the Commonwealth.
- Girls must be English speaking.
- We do not accept girls from the host country unless there are exceptional circumstances and then only with the permission of the host country’s Chief Commissioner.
- We need to check all adults and they must provide references.
- We will not open a unit if there are Girl Scouts USA in the school or local area.