Good safeguarding behaviours and support
An overview of good safeguarding behaviours and where you can find more support
What are good safeguarding behaviours?
Our code of conduct sets out the responsibilities and expectations for all volunteers and adult members in Girlguiding. It’s a reminder of your commitment to Girlguiding’s mission, promise and values.
The safeguarding policy sets expectations for all adult volunteers, adult members, and staff to protect girls, young women and adults from harm.
To make Girlguiding a safe space for all members, you must also show the following safeguarding behaviours:
- Be alert - take time to understand situations and be alert so that you can notice and act when something is wrong.
- Create a safe space - create a safe and supportive environment so that girls feel able to speak out if something is wrong. Build good relationships with those you volunteer with, and with each girl so that you notice any concerns.
- Team work - work as a team to keep everyone safe. Be aware of your surroundings and make sure no one is unnecessarily left alone with a young member in line with the safeguarding policy.
- Be proactive and accountable - take action and provide support when needed. Never assume someone else has acted, and always follow the safeguarding reporting procedures if you have a concern.
- Maintain appropriate boundaries – be aware of your role as a volunteer and trusted adult, do not show favourites, and do not put yourself in any compromising positions. Be mindful of what your behaviour can look like to others and how your actions can be perceived.
- Be inclusive - safeguard every individual because everyone is equally important and valuable. Everyone involved in Girlguiding has a right to equal protection from all types of harm and abuse. Get more advice on including all.
- Respect - treat everyone fairly and in accordance with the Girlguiding code of conduct.
What to do if you have a concern
If you have a concern about a young or adult member in Girlguiding you should read our a safe space pocket guide and follow the safeguarding procedure and our guidance on receiving disclosures.
You can also contact the HQ safeguarding team on:
- Telephone: 0207 834 6242 ext. 3037 (usual office hours).
- Out of hours emergency phone: 07508 032997 (5pm - 10pm Monday - Friday and 9am - 10pm Saturday and Sunday). Please do not text the out of hours number as we are unable to access these messages.
- Email: [email protected]
Please note don’t forget to let the HQ safeguarding team know as soon as possible if you call the police.
Support organisations
Here you can find some additional support for volunteers, girls and their families to cope with challenges like child protection, mental health and sexuality.
England and Wales
The NSPCC and Childline are great resources for volunteers, girls and parents. You can also refer safeguarding concerns to the NSPCC, should you need to.
NSPCC - free, confidential support for adults if you're worried about a child.
Go to the NSPCC website or call 0808 800 5000.
Childline - free confidential online support and a phone line for children and young people up to the age of 18.
Go to the Childline website or call 0800 1111.
Childnet - information and support for keeping children safe online.
These organisations provide excellent advice, help and information.
Brook - provides free and confidential sexual health and well-being services young people.
Samaritans - confidential emotional support for anyone who needs to talk, including those feeling suicidal.
Go to the Samaritans website or call 116 113.
selfharm UK - supporting young people and parents impacted by self-harm.
Go to the selfharm UK website.
The Mix - advice, support, or someone to talk to about mental health.
Beat - provides support and advice to young people and adults who are affected by eating disorders.
Go to the Beat website, call the Helpline on 0808 801 0677, the Youthline on 0808 801 0711, or the Studentline on 0808 801 0811.
Young Minds - committed to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people, through offering support to children and their parents.
Go to the Young Minds website or call their Parent Helpline 0808 802 5544.
Anxiety UK - support for anxiety, from people who understand.
Go to Anxiety UK website or call 03444 775 774
Cruse Bereavement Care - provides care and support after the death of someone close.
Go to the Cruse Bereavement Care website or call 0808 808 1677.
Stonewall - work for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.
Gendered Intelligence - deliver trans youth programmes, support for parents and carers, professional development and trans awareness training for all sectors and workshops for schools, colleges, universities and other educational settings.
Drinkaware - advice and information on alcohol consumption, and support if you or someone you care about has a problem with alcohol.
Go to the drinkaware website or call Drinkline on 0300 123 1110.
Frank – offers friendly, confidential drugs advice.
Go to the Talk to Frank website or call 0300 1236600.
NACOA - The National Association for Children of Alcoholics.
Go to the NACOA website or call 0800 358 3456.
Refuge (UK) – for women and children against domestic violence.
Go to the Refuge website, or call 0808 2000 247.
Women's Aid - A grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services in England and build a future where domestic abuse is not tolerated.
Go to the Women's Aid website.
Bright Sky UK - tool designed to help raise awareness about domestic abuse. Contains local support services, guidance and resources.
Find out more about Bright Sky.
ManKind initiative - support for male victims of domestic abuse.
Go to ManKind website or call 0808 800 1170.
Karma Nirvana - support for honour-based abuse in the UK.
Go to Karma Nirvana website or call 0800 5999 247.
Fumble - sex education charity with information about sex, relationships, understanding your body and wellbeing.
Galop - support for LGBTQ+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.
Victim Support – offer support for anyone that has been impacted by crime. They also provide specific advice and support throughout the process of a trial.
Go to the Victim Support website or call 0808 1689 111.
EPIC - education and awareness to help prevent gambling-related harm.
Go to EPIC Risk Management website.
Game Quitters - video game addiction support.
Scotland
The NSPCC and Childline are great resources for volunteers, girls and parents. You can also refer safeguarding concerns to the NSPCC, should you need to.
NSPCC - free, confidential support for adults if you are worried about a child.
Go to NSPCC website or call 0808 800 5000.
Childline - free confidential online support and a phone line for children and young people up to the age of 18.
Go to Childline website or call 0800 1111.
Childnet - information and support for keeping children safe online.
Brook - provides free and confidential sexual health and well-being services young people.
Breathing Space - a free and confidential service for people in Scotland.
Go to Breathing Space website or call 0800 83 85 87.
Samaritans - confidential emotional support for anyone who needs to talk, including those feeling suicidal.
Go to the Samaritans website or call 116 113.
selfharm UK - supporting young people and parents impacted by self-harm.
Self-harm Network Scotland - self-harm support for people in Scotland.
Go to Self-harm Network Scotland website
Beat - provides support and advice to young people and adults who are affected by eating disorders.
Go to Beat website, call the Helpline on 0808 801 0677, the Youthline on 0808 801 0711, or the Studentline on 0808 801 0811.
Young Minds - committed to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people, through offering support to children and their parents.
Go to Young Minds website or call their Parent Helpline 0808 802 5544.
Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland - provides care and support after the death of someone close.
Go to the Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland website or call 0845 600 2227
Stonewall - work for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.
LGBT Youth Scotland - family and individual support for teenagers and children with questions about their gender identity or sexuality.
Go to the LGBT Youth website or text 07786 202 370
Frank – offers friendly, confidential drugs advice.
Go to the Talk to Frank website or call 0300 1236600.
Drinkaware - advice and information on alcohol consumption, and support if you or someone you care about has a problem with alcohol.
Go to the drinkaware website or call Drinkline on 0300 123 1110.
Bright Sky UK - tool designed to help raise awareness about domestic abuse. Contains local support services, guidance and resources.
Find out more about Bright Sky.
ManKind initiative - support for male victims of domestic abuse.
Go to ManKind website or call 0808 800 1170.
Karma Nirvana - support for honour-based abuse in the UK.
Go to Karma Nirvana website or call 0800 5999 247.
Fumble - sex education charity with information about sex, relationships, understanding your body and wellbeing.
Galop - support for LGBTQ+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.
NAPAC - support for adult survivors of childhood abuse.
Go to the NAPAC website or call 0808 801 0331.
Victim Support Scotland – offer support for anyone that has been impacted by crime. They also provide specific advice and support throughout the process of a trial.
Go to the Victim Support Scotland website or call 0800 160 1985.
EPIC - education and awareness to help prevent gambling-related harm.
Go to EPIC Risk Management website.
Game Quitters - video game addiction support.
Ulster
NSPCC - free, confidential support for adults if you are worried about a child.
Go to NSPCC website or call 0808 800 5000.
Childline - free confidential online support and a phone line for children and young people up to the age of 18.
Go to Childline website or call 0800 1111.
Childnet - information and support for keeping children safe online.
Brook - provides free and confidential sexual health and well-being services young people.
Samaritans - confidential emotional support for anyone who needs to talk, including those feeling suicidal.
Go to the Samaritans website or call 116 113.
selfharm UK - supporting young people and parents impacted by self-harm.
Young Minds - committed to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people, through offering support to children and their parents.
Go to Young Minds website or call their Parent Helpline 0808 802 5544.
Cruse Bereavement Care - provides care and support after the death of someone close.
Go to Cruse Bereavement Care website or call 0808 808 1677.
Rainbow - work for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.
Frank – offers friendly, confidential drugs advice.
Go to the Talk to Frank website.
Drugs and alcohol NI - support for if you use alcohol or other drugs and want support, or if you're affected by someone else using alcohol or other drugs.
Go to Drugs and alcohol NI website or call 0808 808 8000.
Women's Aid Northern Ireland - A grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services in Northern Ireland and build a future where domestic abuse is not tolerated.
ManKind initiative - support for male victims of domestic abuse.
Go to ManKind website or call 0808 800 1170.
Karma Nirvana - support for honour-based abuse in the UK.
Go to Karma Nirvana website or call 0800 5999 247.
Fumble - sex education charity with information about sex, relationships, understanding your body and wellbeing.
Galop - support for LGBTQ+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.
NAPAC - support for adult survivors of childhood abuse.
Go to the NAPAC website or call 0808 801 0331.
Victim Support Northern Ireland – offer support for anyone that has been impacted by crime.
Go to the Victim Support Northern Ireland website.
EPIC - education and awareness to help prevent gambling-related harm.
Go to EPIC Risk Management website.
Game Quitters - video game addiction support.
