Structure of our volunteer teams
Structure of our volunteer teams
On this page
- The structure of our volunteer teams in Sections, Groups, Districts and Counties
- How we can use sub-teams to help organise our volunteers
This information should support what is being shared in local briefings and meetings with your local Transformation Leads and leadership teams. Work with your Transformation Leads to plan how and when you will make these changes locally.
Our programme is at the core of what we do
Our programme (what our Scouts do each week) is mostly designed and run by Section Teams, and shaped by young people. Every volunteer either plans and runs the programme, or supports the volunteers who do.
Every volunteer plays a part in creating a brilliant programme for young people.
How we work together
Each part of Scouts helps young people enjoy fun, high-quality, and safe programmes. We do this by working together to deliver a great programme for young people, while looking after our volunteers.
How we organise Sections and Groups
Sections run the programme. They’re at the heart of Scouts’ work with young people.
Scout Groups help volunteers work well together and keep them feeling motivated across Squirrel, Beaver, Cub, and Scout Sections. They make sure the Group is respected and supported in their local community.
In each Scout Group, there are three types of teams:
- The Section Teams run high-quality programmes safely.
- The Group Leadership Team helps all volunteers in the Group (including Young Leaders) work together to plan and run high-quality programmes.
- The Group Trustee Board provides charity governance for the Group.
Some Groups might find it helpful to use sub-teams, such as a maintenance or fundraising sub-team of the Leadership Team.
The Section Team is supported by people outside of Scouts, who informally help run part of the programme.
How we organise Districts
Scout Districts help volunteers develop, improve Section programmes, and support Scouts to run in the best way possible.
They keep volunteers working well together and feeling motivated. They also make sure the 14-24 Sections are working well and are well regarded in their local community.
The District Leadership Team is made up of:
- District Lead Volunteers
- Team Leaders of each District Team
- Lead Volunteers of each Group in the District
- District Youth Leads
- Other Leadership Team Members who may have specific responsibilities
Each District has a:
- Leadership Team
- 14–24 Team
- Programme Team
- Volunteering Development Team
- Support Team
- Trustee Board
Some Districts might find it helpful to have sub-teams, such as a climbing sub-team of the Programme Team, or a campsite service sub-team of the Support Team.
Multiple Districts can share some functions or teams. In this case, the District Leadership Teams make sure the teams are meeting their own District’s needs.
How we organise Counties
Scout Counties help volunteers in County teams (including District Lead Volunteers) develop, and they enhance Section programmes with opportunities that are best run at County scale.
The County Leadership Team is made up of:
- County Lead Volunteers
- Team Leaders of each County team
- County Youth Leads
- Lead Volunteers of each District
- Other Leadership Team Members who may have specific responsibilities
Each County has a:
- Leadership Team
- Programme Team
- Volunteering Development Team
- Support Team
- Trustee Board
Some Counties might find it helpful to have sub-teams, such as a climbing sub-team of the Programme Team, or a campsite service sub-team of the Support Team.
Multiple Counties can share functions or teams. In this case, the County Leadership Teams need to make sure teams meet their County’s needs.
Additional ways of organising our volunteers
We can use sub-teams to help organise our volunteers clearly. You can decide locally if they're needed, and what they're called.