The Boys’ Brigade is committed to prioritising the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in everything that we do.
Safer recruitment is an essential part of safeguarding, helping to ensure that only suitable adults are selected to volunteer with our children and young people.
It is important to ensure that every adult supporting weekly sessions and any other BB activities is correctly registered. Adults not registered cannot attend any BB activities.
In addition, if any adults are shown as “pending” on Online Brigade Manager (OBM) this means the Safer Recruitment processes have not concluded and they must not attend activities.
Please also note that any adult volunteering at a residential where they stay on site must undergo the full Safer Recruitment process. This includes if they are only there to cook or provide transport for children and young people. The only exception to this would be for an adult who was there as a carer for a child with additional needs (in such circumstances a full risk assessment would need to be completed).
Leader Registration Form
All new and returning leaders must be registered with BB Headquarters using the appropriate Leader Registration Form. The forms can be found here.
When completing the registration form please note the following:
Referees
These points must be complied with when naming referees:
- Referees should not be family members, and the two named referees should not be related to each other. In addition, the Captain/Correspondent completing the Company Nomination should not be a referee.
- Only one referee can be a current or former BB leader, or member of the Church leadership team. Best practice is both referees are independent of BB and the Church.
- When the Captain/Correspondent holds additional roles in the Church, they should not also be authorising the appointment on behalf of the Church.
Minimum Age
The minimum age to become a leader is 18. Ideally, suitable young people will wait until the session they become 19. This reduces any issues connected with them holding a position of trust whilst their immediate peers are still young people in the organisation. It’s a good idea for Captains/Correspondents to also familiarise themselves with our Position of Trust Guidance to manage any existing relationships. To avoid any issues in this area, good practice is to ensure they are only in a position of trust of Anchors and Juniors until their peers in Seniors have left or become leaders.
Company Nomination
Before signing to say that the applicant is suitable for appointment as a leader, the Captain/Correspondent must be satisfied that the leader is able to understand the responsibilities that come with holding a position of trust. This includes:
- Following the Leaders Code of Conduct
- Understanding the 4 R’s of Safeguarding
- Recognising their responsibilities in relation to Managing Risk
These responsibilities are detailed throughout the mandatory e-learning modules that applicants are now required to complete before appointment.
Disclosure Check
England & Wales
All leaders in England & Wales are required to undergo a DBS check through one of the following routes:
- Through BB Headquarters: The DBS Application & Evidence of Identity Forms should be completed and returned to BB Headquarters. The document contains guidance notes for completing these forms.
- Through local Church: A DBS check undertaken by the local Church can be accepted, providing it is an Enhanced Check (including Children’s Barred List) that has been received within the last 6 months, and indicates there is nothing that would deem the applicant unsuitable to work with children and young people.
- Membership of the DBS Update Service: BB Headquarters can run a check against a DBS Update Service membership, providing the certificate used to register is an Enhanced Check (including Children’s Barred List) and indicates there is nothing that would deem the applicant unsuitable to work with children and young people.
Scotland
In Scotland, all PVG applications must be processed through The Boys’ Brigade. You can find out more about the application process here.
e-learning
All new and returning leaders are required to complete mandatory Managing Risk and Safeguarding e-learning modules prior to appointment. This means that every new volunteer has an understanding of their responsibilities in these areas from the moment they attend their first BB session.
When a Leader Registration Form is received and processed by BB Headquarters, the applicant will be set up as “pending” on OBM and emailed details of how to access and complete the two e-learning modules. When a module is completed, the applicant’s OBM record will automatically be updated (this is visible via the “Qualifications” button).
Completing a Registration
Once a new or returning leader has completed the appropriate Leader Registration Form, has the relevant disclosure check in place and has completed our mandatory e-learning modules, this will be verified by BB Headquarters and the registration made live.
The leader will receive email confirmation informing them that they are permitted to volunteer. A registration card will be sent by post to the leader approximately 4-6 weeks after this.
Any Questions
If you have any questions about this process please email us on support@boys-brigade.org.uk or phone 0300 303 4454.