WOSM ASSESSMENT

After completing the Self-Assessment, NSOs can also use the Assessment Tool to conduct a WOSM Assessment and work with a WOSM assessor and a Safe from Harm expert to evaluate the current state of Safe from Harm at their organisation by following the steps below.

We recommend that you have your Self-Assessment to hand and have reviewed the report from the regional panel before proceeding with the WOSM Assessment.

Step 1: Kick-off meeting

Members of an NSO’s Safe from Harm team and national board taking part in the WOSM Assessment should start by holding a kick-off meeting that is led by the national leadership.

The meeting will offer an opportunity to introduce the WOSM Assessment and its process. It should cover the follow elements:

• Include Make sure that all relevant parties are onboard and understand the overall process.

• Responsible

Agree on the appointment of one person responsible to lead the process and ensure overall follow-up and that deadlines are respected.

• Create teams

Assign teams to address different dimensions, keeping in mind the positive engagement of the national board (see Suggested Method box on the opposite page for team actions).

• Timelines

Agree on specific timelines to complete work.

• Share

Communicate to different stakeholders within the organisation to achieve a sense of ownership and collaboration.

RECOMMENDED APPROACHDIMENSION BY DIMENSION:

Team members can be allocated to different dimensions, such as:

Dimension 1: Safe from Harm team, national board, communications team

Dimensions 2 and 3: Safe from Harm team, Adults in Scouting team, national board

Dimension 4: Safe from Harm team, risk management team, events team

Dimension 5: Safe from Harm team, educational methods team

Suggested Methods For Coordination

• Each team is responsible for compiling the documentation required in each criteria.

• Consider creating online folders for each dimension so that documentation can be kept in one place.

• Teams can schedule separate meetings to agree on workload sharing and other practicalities.

Note that the WOSM Assessment process requires the submission of written evidence. The Self-Assessment process only requires comments and clarification of the scoring.

Step 2: Progress updates on preparation before the WOSM Assessment

In preparing for the WOSM Assessment, the team should also hold a short meeting to provide progress updates and ensure that everyone remains motivated to complete the process. The meeting should also be used to:

• Share

Allocate some time to raise issues or challenges encountered, if any.

• Timelines

Wrap up with a check of the timings.

HOW CAN A SAFE FROM HARM CONSULTANT SUPPORT YOU?

If you are conducting a WOSM Assessment, a service request will be triggered. Through this request, you will be offered the support of a Safe from Harm Consultant who will be present during the assessment and will also be able to support you in preparing for the assessment

Consultants can help your NSO understand more about Safe from Harm, the different types of documentation to prepare, and the scoring approach. They can also help manage your timeline, bring an external perspective, and keep focus on the aims of the WOSM Assessment.

Tips Before Starting The Wosm Assessment

Make sure you understand the overall process. By requesting a WOSM Service in Safe from Harm, a Safe from Harm Consultant will be available to introduce and guide you through the WOSM Assessment process.

Set clear objectives with your team.

Involve the relevant people.

Be objective.

Be honest.

Avoid overestimating or underestimating the time needed to complete the WOSM Assessment.

Consider whether your responses would be seen in the same way by an external assessor.

Remember that the WOSM Assessment will help identify your organisation’s areas of improvement in Safe from Harm.

Step 3: Conducting the WOSM Assessment

Taking the WOSM Assessment is a commitment made by NSOs as members of WOSM. A team of Safe from Harm experts and a WOSM assessor will support your NSO during the WOSM Assessment along with your assigned Safe from Harm consultant either in person or virtually.

OPTION 1: Schedule a two day in-person assessment

Set aside two days for relevant team members to undertake the WOSM Assessment with a WOSM Assessor or Safe from Harm Consultant.

• Agenda

You can use the proposed agenda below or organise your meeting based on other priorities, such as team members’ availability – particularly volunteers – in agreement with the WOSM Assessment team.

• Participants

Gather key members from the preparation phase to contribute to the evaluation, including the national coordinator of Safe from Harm (if appointed), relevant board members, volunteers, and staff members responsible for or overseeing both child and youth safeguarding and adults safeguarding at your NSO. If no individuals have been appointed to these roles, you can involve board and staff members who will undertake these responsibilities in the future.

• Evaluation

Go through each criteria and, based on the evidence compiled, the assessors will score the criteria from “full compliance” to “non-compliant”.

• Support

A WOSM Assessor will facilitate and support you during this assessment. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts around the process and discuss the next steps and actions to take as a result of the assessment, for example, requesting a WOSM service.

• Conclusion

At the end of the assessment, there will be a conclusion and assessment with a WOSM Assessor. In case you need additional support, make sure that you can contact other relevant individuals, including your Safe from Harm Consultant, who can be invited to join in person if possible.

Sample agenda for WOSM Assessment in-person meeting

Safe from Harm team, national board representatives

Safeguarding

3

Selection, and Training of Adults in Scouting

4

Response and Case Management

Summary of the assessment and discussion about the achieved results, and major nonconformities.

Reflection session (feedback and discussion about the presented assessment criteria and processes) and action plan to take forward.

Closing meeting: agree on follow-up meeting and next steps.

OPTION 2: Conduct the WOSM Assessment online

Schedule an introductory online meeting where team members can participate and agree on a timeline to undertake the online assessment with the WOSM Assessment team.

The online assessment is recommended only if an in-person assessment is not feasible. The advantage of this option is that it provides ample of time to work and gather information, as it will occur over online sessions totalling 12 hours.

• Agenda

You can use the sample agenda and adjust the timings as needed, or organise your sessions based on other priorities, such as team member availability, particularly volunteers, in agreement with the WOSM Assessor.

• Participants

Gather key members from the preparation phase to contribute to the evaluation, including the national coordinator of Safe from Harm (if appointed), relevant board members, volunteers, and staff members responsible for or overseeing both child and youth safeguarding and adults safeguarding at your NSO. If no individuals have been appointed to these roles, you can involve board and staff members who will undertake these responsibilities in the future.

• Evaluation

Go through each criteria and - based on the evidence compiled - the assessors will score the criteria from “full compliance” to “non-compliant”. We recommend that you have to hand and have reviewed your Self-Assessment and the report from the regional panel before the assessment.

• Support

A WOSM Assessor will facilitate and support you during this assessment. In case you need additional support, make sure that you can contact other relevant individuals, including your Safe from Harm Consultant, who can be invited to join in person if possible.

• Conclusion

At the end of the assessment, there will be a conclusion and assessment with a WOSM Assessor. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts around the process and discuss the next steps and actions to take as a result of the assessment, for example, requesting a WOSM service.

Sample agenda for online WOSM Assessment meeting

Timing

Attendance

Subject(s) / Dimension of the Safe from Harm Assessment Tool

1 hour

Safe from Harm team, national board representatives

Opening meeting: Introductions, goals, method, timing.

2 hours

Safe from Harm team, national board, communications team

Dimension 1

Child and Youth Safeguarding

Dimension 2

Adult Safeguarding

2 hours

Safe from Harm team, Adults in Scouting team, national board

2 hours

Safe from Harm team, risk management team, events team

1.5 hours

Safe from Harm team, educational methods team

1 hour

1.5 hours

Safe from Harm team, national board representatives

1 hour

Dimension 3 Recruitment, Selection, and Training of Adults in Scouting

Dimension 4

Report, Response and Case Management

Dimension 5 Education

Summary of the assessment and discussion about the achieved results, and major nonconformities.

Reflection session (feedback and discussion about the presented assessment criteria and process) and action plan to take forward.

Closing meeting: agree on follow-up meeting and next steps