GLB-C15-2025
Dear friends,
As part of our shared commitment and responsibility to ensure the safety of children, young people, and adults involved in Scouting, we are pleased to provide important updates on the continued progress and development of Safe from Harm across the Scout Movement.
At the 42nd World Scout Conference in 2021, National Scout Organizations (NSOs) unanimously adopted a resolution reinforcing safeguarding as a requirement for WOSM membership and to create a shift in our safeguarding culture worldwide. Throughout this triennium, we have prioritised close collaboration with NSOs to provide services and support around Safe from Harm at all levels of Scouting.
Currently, 52% of NSOs and National Scout Associations (NSAs) have submitted their Safe from Harm self-assessment, yet only 32% are compliant with all annual reporting requirements for WOSM membership.
For the past two years, the Safe from Harm Self-Assessment has been a valuable tool to support NSOs to review their safeguarding systems and identify strengths and areas of improvement. Earlier this year, we conducted a thorough evaluation of our approach to Safe from Harm through self-assessments and regional panels. This review led to several improvements designed to make the process clearer and more collaborative:
- Updated and expanded guidance materials.
- New opportunities for communication between NSOs and the Regional Panel members.
- More open dialogue and clearer feedback to support shared understanding.
These improvements will help NSOs navigate the self-assessment process more confidently and ensure that feedback leads to meaningful change.
To further support NSOs, the self-assessment cycle has been extended from every two years to every three years. This change allows more time for NSOs to reflect on feedback and implement improvements, helping to embed Safe from Harm practices more deeply and build a lasting culture of safeguarding across the Movement.
As a reminder, NSOs can resubmit a self-assessment at any point during the cycle if they wish to update their information. In-person assessments are available to be carried out every year by World Scouting as a commitment to support NSOs and to assess how well safeguarding practices are being implemented across the Scout Movement.
We encourage NSOs that have made significant progress since their last submission to resubmit their self-assessment so that the regional panel can review and accurately reflect their current status and level of compliance with WOSM membership requirements.
For updated guidance documents, articles, and practical support, NSOs can visit the dedicated Safe from Harm page on Treehouse or click on the resource links below:
- Meeting the Safe from Harm Membership Requirements and Assessment Step-by-Step Guide
- Organisation Safe from Harm requirements on the Data Portal
- How to guide: Safe from Harm Self-Assessment digital tool
- Safe from Harm Self-Assessment Template (offline)
Support in safeguarding
Since last year, World Scouting has also offered Safe from Harm training modules as a tailored service to help NSOs strengthen their safeguarding systems. Each module is delivered through a multi-day workshop or online sessions led by expert Safe from Harm consultants and includes one-on-one support. The training modules cover key areas, including:
- Conducting a Safe from Harm self-assessment
- Developing a national Safe from Harm policy
- Establishing clear reporting and response procedures
- Integrating safeguarding into programs, activities, and events
These training modules are designed for Safe from Harm national coordinators and teams leading safeguarding practices within their NSOs. NSOs can click here to learn more about and register for upcoming workshops or online sessions.
World Scouting is here to support you on this important journey. Wherever you are in safeguarding, we invite you to take the following steps and receive the support you need:
1. Register for upcoming workshops and online sessions.
2. Request a tailored service if the training modules do not meet your needs.
3. Engage in Safe from Harm opportunities at upcoming Regional Scout Conferences, including in plenary sessions, workshops and market spaces.
4. Ensure your National Safe from Harm coordinator’s contact information is up to date to join and stay connected to your region’s coordinators’ networks.
If you have any further questions, please contact Pauline Grangette, Senior Manager, Safeguarding and Child Protection, with the World Scout Bureau by email at [email protected].
Yours in Scouting,
David Berg
Secretary General
World Scouting