Uncomfortable decisions

Sometimes you have to make uncomfortable decisions. Just so often there is a child that you just can't help fit into the group. Most often, these children leave of their own accord, because they don't enjoy scouting, and sometimes things work better after having spoken with the parents of the child. Sometimes they don't.

But what do you do, when "the problem" doesn't go away by itself, and communication with the parents only end in conflict, and both child and parents are adament that the child stay in the group?

Scouting should be inclusive. Scouting is for all. The general rule of thumb (at least in Sweden) is that you can be a child or an adolecent in the scouts, but not respect the Scout Law, but you can't be a leader. Exclusion is not an easy step to take, and should be considered only after every other option have been tried.

But when a young person has been through Cubs and Scouts, have been asked to take time out from scouts, for the safety and wellbeing of others, and because other children leave because of this person, and the leaders are at the end of their tether, is given a second chance to prove change after a year, only to come back non changed?

Do you have a choice?

It would be very interesting to hear your views on the subject, what rules you have, and what kind of behaviour you find unacceptable, how you cope and what procedures you take.
Kindly
Akela L