Policy, Organisation and Rules

3.1.1.1 Key principle
Scouts is a membership organisation, where volunteer adults work with young persons to deliver the objects of Scouting (see POR Chapter 1).

In accordance with the Equal Opportunities Policy (POR 2a.5), membership of Scouts is open to all persons, subject to the criteria in POR 3.1.

3.1.1.2 Age limits

1. youth members must be aged between their 4^th and 25^th birthdays
2. adult volunteers must have reached their 18^th birthday

3.1.1.3 Commitment
Members must be willing to follow The Scout Association's principles and commit to The Promise and, for adult volunteers, commit to Our Volunteering Culture (POR Chapter 2c).

3.1.1.4 Geographic eligibility
Membership of Scouts is open to: 

1. people who live in the United Kingdom and its Crown Dependencies (the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) 
2. people who live in any of the five Overseas Territories (Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Gibraltar).
3. adults of any nationality who live in a country where British Scouting Overseas Groups operate
4. young people who live in a country where British Scouting Overseas Groups operate and who hold a nationality other than that of the host country 

3.1.1.5 Conditions of membership
In addition to meeting the criteria in POR 3.1.1.2, POR 3.1.1.3 and POR 3.1.1.4, all adult members of Scouts must have at least one unique e-mail address that is not shared with any other person. This requirement also applies to any non-member recorded on the membership system, and to any Young Leader aged 16 or 17 who is recorded on the membership system.

This unique e-mail address must be recorded in the membership system and must be in addition to any shared email address such as may be in place for shared roles or teams.

Having a unique email address ensures that each member receives information intended specifically for them and mitigates the risk of them receiving confidential or misdirected information. This requirement aligns with the Data Protection requirements in POR 2a.3.

3.1.1.6 Gender Inclusion and Single-Gender Sections 

1. Scouts must recruit in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Policy (POR 2a.5), unless stated otherwise in POR. 
2. Scouts must make sure that all sections are open to members of all genders, except in the special situations described in POR 3.1.1.6(c) below.  
3. Single-gender sections may exist within a Group, or in a District 14-24 provision, provided that membership for all genders is available across all sections within that Group or District 14-24 provision.  
   Special situations where single-gender sections may be permitted are: 
   
   1. cultural or religious requirements for single-gender activities 
   2. Scouts is offered in a single-gender institution (for example a school, or young offenders’ institution) 
   3. a specialist single-gender provision to meet a clearly identified educational need (for example scouting for young mothers)
   4. The decision to create a single-gender section under these special conditions must be made by the District Lead Volunteer in consultation with the County Lead Volunteer (^[NI] by the Country Chief Volunteer in consultation with the Regional Lead Volunteer).

3.1.1.7 Status and rights of Membership

1. On becoming a member, that person becomes a member of a Group, District, County, Country or UK Headquarters (as appropriate). They also become a member of The Scout Association and of WOSM. 
2. members of Scouts may wear the approved uniform (POR Chapter 10), the World Membership badge and the World Membership lapel badge.
3. members may receive benefits provided by any Group, District, and County to which the member belongs and of WOSM. 
4. member benefits provided by UK Headquarters include:
   1. support in emergencies (POR Chapter 7)
   2. insurance (POR Chapter 9g)
   3. accrual of service for adults aged 18 and over (POR Chapter 11)
   4. the right to use our brand (POR Chapter 2e) 

   These member benefits are for members only(see POR 3.2) and are not available to helpers or individuals affiliated with charities or organisations which are not members of the Federation. This includes, but is not limited to, Girlguiding, SSAGO and other independent charities. 

5. Members do not have any actual or implied rights to take part in the national management of The Scout Association or WOSM. 

3.2.1.1 Youth members

1. Young people become members of Scouts’ when they make the Promise appropriate to the first section they join, whether that is Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers (including Young Leaders), or Scout Network.
   In Scotland young persons aged 16 or 17 who join solely to become a Young Leader must be added to the membership system before they make their Promise.
2. Once they have become a member of Scouts, a young person’s membership is then continuous as they transfer between sections but, after each transfer, they should make the Promise appropriate to their new section soon after the move to the new section. 
3. The UK Headquarters membership subscription must be paid annually for all members aged under 18.
4. Any Country, County, District and Group membership subscription, as determined locally, must also be paid for each member.
5. The Group Leadership Team must ensure that accurate records are kept of the names and personal details of all youth members in each of their Squirrel, Beaver, Cub and Scout sections. 
6. District 14-24 Teams must ensure that accurate records are kept of the names and personal details of all youth members in each of their Explorer (including Young Leader) Units.
7. In Scotland
   1. District 14-24 Teams must ensure that all Young Leaders aged 16 and 17 are recorded on the membership system to enable a criminal record check (Scouts PVG disclosure) to be carried out. Young Leaders can be added to the membership system from the age of 15 years and 8 months so that the criminal record check (Scouts PVG disclosure) can be completed before their 16th birthday.
   2. Young Leaders who began their role as Young Leaders at age 14 or 15 must not continue in their Young Leader role beyond their 16th birthday until their satisfactory criminal record check (Scouts PVG disclosure) is recorded on the membership system. However, they may continue to participate as members of an Explorer Unit during this time.
   3. Young people aged 16 or 17 must not begin a Young Leader role until their satisfactory criminal record check (Scouts PVG disclosure) is recorded on the membership system. However, they may take part as members of an Explorer Unit while awaiting clearance.
8. District 14-24 Teams must ensure that all Scout Network members  are recorded on Scouts’ membership system.

3.2.1.2 Adult members

1. Adults become members when they have:
   1. recorded their acceptance of the Promise and the other elements of the membership declarations in the membership system
   2. completed their personal details in the membership system.
2. Adult members must hold a ‘member’ role listed in the POR Chapter 16 Teams Table.
3. Initially, new adult volunteers are assigned a ‘provisional’ membership status. This status will change to ‘full’ once they have satisfactorily completed each of steps (a) and (b) above and all seven steps of the volunteer joining journey (POR Chapter 16). Restrictions on the volunteer’s activities during ‘provisional’ status are described in POR Chapter 16.
4. Adults who do not hold a ‘member’ role listed in the POR Chapter 16 Teams Table are not members and do not enjoy the member benefits listed in POR 3.1.1.7.
5. Any Country, County, District and Group membership subscription, as determined locally, must also be paid for each adult member
6. All adult members must be recorded on Scouts’ membership system.

The number of members and their demographic data, as directed by UK Headquarters, must be returned in the UK Headquarters’ annual census of each section, Group, District, County and Country.

The annual census may also collect additional relevant information about the local Scout organisations.

3.4.1.1 Young persons in Groups (Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts)

1. The authority to admit anyone to membership of a Group rests with the Group Lead Volunteer, in line with The Scout Association’s policies.  
   For sponsored Groups, this decision must also comply with the recruitment policy (if any) defined in the sponsorship agreement. 
2. For Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, the Group Lead Volunteer may delegate to the relevant Section Team the responsibility for admitting young people to membership. 
   Decisions on admittance of members must be made in accordance with The Scout Association’s policies even if responsibility is delegated. 
3. There may be situations where a section lacks the capacity or resources to meet a young person’s needs or make the necessary reasonable adjustments.  
   In these cases, the Group Lead Volunteer must work with the parents to find or create an alternative provision.

3.4.1.2 Young persons in Explorers, including Young Leaders

1. The authority to admit anyone to membership of an Explorer Unit (including a Young Leader Unit) rests with the District 14-24 Team Leader, in accordance with The Scout Association’s policies.
2. The District 14-24 Team Leader may delegate to the Section Team of the relevant Explorer (or Young Leader) Unit the responsibility for admitting young people to membership.  
3. In Scotland, the District 14-24 Team Leader (or their delegate) is responsible for ensuring that a Young Leader’s criminal record check (Scouts’ PVG disclosure) is completed before they start, or continue, carrying out their Young Leader role from their 16th birthday.
   To enable this, the Scottish Young Leader must be added to the membership system. For Young Leaders in Scotland who wish to begin their role from their 16th birthday, this can be carried out from age 15 years and 8 months.
   The criminal record check (Scouts’ PVG disclosure) must be fully completed before the Scottish Young Leader:
   
   1. starts their regulated role
      OR
   2. continues in a regulated role if they were already volunteering as a Young Leader prior to their 16th birthday.
4. In the case of a partnership agreement with a sponsored Group, membership must also comply with the recruitment policy (if any) defined in the Group’s sponsorship agreement.
5. Explorers (including Young Leaders) must leave the Explorer (or Young Leader) Unit at their 18th birthday. At this point they may do one of:
   1. join the Scout Network
   2. take on an adult role (see the POR Chapter 16 Teams Table)
   3. join the Scout Network and also take on an adult role
   4. leave Scouts.

3.4.1.3 Scout Network

1. The authority to admit anyone to membership of a District Scout Network rests with the District 14-24 Team Leader, in accordance with The Scout Association’s policies. 
2. Scout Network membership ceases when the individual reaches their 25th birthday.
3. At their 25th birthday, the Scout Network member may only retain their membership of Scouts by having an adult role in Scouts.
   There is no flexibility on the upper age of the 25th birthday for any youth member.

3.4.1.4 Adult members
The decision to add adults or roles to the membership system is made by the Group Lead Volunteer, District Lead Volunteer or County Lead Volunteer respectively for Groups, Districts and Counties in accordance with The Scout Association’s policies and the volunteer joining journey process in POR Chapter 16. 

3.5.1.1 Ending of membership
Once a person has joined Scouts, they remain a member until:

1. the person makes a personal decision to end their membership
2. membership subscriptions have not been paid on behalf of the young person (POR 3.2.1.1(c) and (d))
3. the member’s membership is ended (see POR 3.6 and 3.8).

3.5.1.2 Membership transition
If a member is unable to continue their membership in a County, District, Group, Unit or Scout Network, the relevant Group Lead Volunteer or District 14-24 Team Leader should support their transition to a new section.  

This support can include:

1. using local contacts or the membership system to find contact details for other sections or Groups where the member can continue their membership of Scouts
2. using other contacts to support the transfer  

Examples of situations where this transfer support may be needed include:

1. relocating to a different area, including moving outside the UK.
2. moving up to a new section (for example from Beavers to Cubs) but where attendance at the new section in the current Group is impossible for practical family considerations.

3.6.1.1 Suspension of a member aged 18 or older
Scouts is a membership organisation and therefore has the right to suspend membership.

Refer to POR 16.7.4 for procedures relating to suspension of adults or Scout Network members. 

3.6.1.2 Ending membership of a member aged 18 or older
Refer to POR 16.8. for procedures relating to ending membership of adults or Scout Network members. 

3.7.1 About suspension

3.7.1.1 Suspension of membership
Scouts is a membership organisation and therefore has the right to suspend membership.

On the rare occasions when suspension of membership is necessary, the appropriate mandatory process described in POR 3.7 must be followed in order to ensure appropriate and fair decisions are made, and that such decisions are not taken lightly.

3.7.1.2 Purpose of suspension

1. Suspension is not a disciplinary sanction or an indication of guilt. 
2. Suspension ensures that no situation may arise that may cause further concern.
3. Suspension also allows a period where further information may be received and, if appropriate, the statutory agencies, such as the police or social services, can carry out their duties. 

3.7.1.3 Suspension of a youth member
Suspension of a Squirrel, Beaver, Cub, Scout or Explorer (including a Young Leader) may be appropriate where: 

1. there has been an allegation of their involvement in a serious criminal offence
2. where information is held in respect of their involvement in a serious criminal offence 
3. there has been an allegation of behaviour that puts young people or adults at serious risk of harm. 
4. information is received that questions the suitability of a young person to be a young leader or young helper

Where a Young Leader is suspended from their Young Leader role, careful consideration must also be given as to whether the suspension also applies to them being an Explorer.

Where there are safeguarding concerns raised from any of these stated reasons, these must be reported to the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team in line with POR 2a.7.

3.7.1.4 Possible outcomes following a period of suspension of a person under 18

1. The outcome following a period of suspension is one of: 
   1. reinstatement 
   2. reinstatement with conditions 
   3. ending the young person’s membership

3.7.2 Suspending a young person aged under 18 (including Young Leaders)

3.7.2.1 Authority to suspend

1. The authority to suspend a young person rests with the District Lead Volunteer, in consultation with the relevant Group Lead Volunteer or District 14-24 Team Leader. 
2. Before suspending a young person, the District Lead Volunteer must:
   1. consult their County Lead Volunteer (^[NI] the Regional Lead Volunteer).  
   2. seek advice from the Safeguarding Team at UK Headquarters. 
3. In case of issues regarding the criminal record check (Scouts PVG disclosure) for a young leader or young helper in Scotland, the authority to suspend rests with the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team. 

3.7.2.2 Statutory authority involvement
Where a statutory authority is involved, advice must be sought from that body through the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team. 

3.7.2.3 Conditions during suspension
Where a young person’s membership has been suspended, the young person must not:

1. participate in any activity connected with Scouts
2. wear the uniform or badges. 

3.7.2.4 Communication with parents or carers
In countries other than Scotland, the parent(s) of the suspended youth member must be:

1. informed of the suspension in writing
2. be given a copy of Notes for the parents/carers of a young person under suspension
3. offered an independent adult member to act as a supporter. 

In Scotland, the legal framework for safeguarding is different and the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team will consider informing the young person's parent as appropriate.

3.7.3 Ending a period of suspension of a young person aged under 18 (including Young Leaders)

3.7.3.1 Local decision to reinstate or end membership

1. At the end of a period of suspension:
   1. for a Squirrel, Beaver, Cub or Scout, the District Lead Volunteer and Group Lead Volunteer must determine suitability for a return to Scouts  
   2. for an Explorer (including Young Leaders), the District Lead Volunteer and District 14-24 Team Leader must determine suitability for a return to Scouts  
2. Prior to making a decision, advice must be sought from:
   1. the County Lead Volunteer (^[NI] the Regional Lead Volunteer). 
   2. the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team who must advise whether further information is required from any statutory bodies. 

3.8.1.1 Ending of a Young Leader role
If a Young Leader ends their role (or their role is ended), then this does not end any other membership of Explorers, unless otherwise advised by the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team.

3.8.1.2 Ending of membership
Scouts is a membership organisation and therefore has the right to end membership. On the rare occasions when ending of membership is necessary, the appropriate mandatory process described in POR 3.8 must be followed in order to ensure appropriate and fair decisions are made, and that such decisions are not taken lightly.

3.8.1.3 Involvement of statutory authorities
If a statutory authority is involved, advice must be sought from that body through the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team. 

3.8.1.4 Ending membership for members aged under 18
Youth membership ends when a Squirrel, Beaver, Cub, Scout or Explorer (including a Young Leader) leaves their Group or Explorer (or Young Leader) Unit and does not transfer to another section. 

3.8.1.5 Locally initiated ending of membership of a person aged under 18
Whether following a period of suspension or not, if it is considered that ending the membership of a Squirrel, Beaver, Cub, Scout or Explorer may be appropriate, this process of consultation must be followed: 

1. the District Lead Volunteer, in consultation with the relevant Group Lead Volunteer or District 14-24 Team Leader, and the County Lead Volunteer, believes that ending the membership of a Squirrel, Beaver, Cub, Scout or Explorer (including Young Leaders) is likely to be the only available option.
2. If the ending follows a period of suspension then, as part of this ‘ending’ process, there must also be consultation with the original suspending authority and approver to ensure that the reasons for the suspension are appropriately factored into the ‘ending’ decision.
3. If the young person is from a Squirrel, Beaver, Cub or Scout section in a Sponsored Group, the Sponsoring Authority must also be consulted.  
   If the young person is from an Explorer Unit that is partnered with a Sponsored Group, the Sponsoring Authority must also be consulted.
4. Where there are safeguarding concerns raised from any of the above process elements, these must be reported to the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team in line with POR 2a.7.

3.8.1.6 UK Headquarters-initiated ending of the membership of a young person aged under 18

1. At the end of a period of youth suspension, UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team may recommend ending the young person’s membership.
   If the ending follows a period of suspension then, as part of this ‘ending’ process, there must also be consultation with the original suspending authority and approver to ensure that the reasons for the suspension are appropriately factored into the ‘ending’ decision.
   The UK Headquarters Executive Director of Operations must ensure that processes and oversight are defined and implemented to ensure consistency, including resolving any disagreements. 
2. At least one of the following conditions must be met before the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team can initiate ending of a role or membership:
   1. a statutory agency has confirmed that the young person has committed a serious criminal offence which presents a significant risk of harm to a person connected with Scouts
   2. a statutory agency advises that the young person should not remain a member of Scouts due to the risk of harm they present
   3. Scouts’ UK Head of Safeguarding believes that, due to information held, the young person poses a significant risk of harm to Scouts. This will include a case where the criminal record check (Scouts PVG disclosure) is unsatisfactory for a young leader or young helper in Scotland – in this case the authority to end a role or membership rests with the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team. 
3. Before ending the membership of a Squirrel, Beaver, Cub or Scout from youth membership, the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team must discuss the case with the Group Lead Volunteer and (if applicable) the Sponsoring Authority. 
   Before ending the membership of an Explorer (including a Young Leader) from youth membership, the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team must discuss the case with the District 14-24 Team Leader. In the case of a Young Leader, the District 14-24 Team Leader must ensure that the Group Lead Volunteer and (if applicable) the Sponsoring Authority are also advised.

3.8.1.7 Ending of youth membership by The Scout Association’s Board of Trustees

1. Notwithstanding any other means provided by these rules, youth membership may be ended by resolution of the Board of Trustees of The Scout Association. 
2. The Board is not required to state its reasons for making such a decision. 

3.9.1 Appeal the ending of membership of a young person which was initiated locally 

3.9.1.1 Right of appeal 
Any Squirrel, Beaver, Cub, Scout or Explorer (including a Young Leader) who has their membership ended locally by Group or District under POR 3.7.3 or POR 3.8.1.5 has the right of appeal to the District Chair, with the aid of parents, if desired by the young person. 

3.9.1.2 Appeal panel composition and process
If an appeal is requested by the person whose membership has been ended, the District Chair must convene a panel of three adult members.  

Panel requirements: 

1. the panel is appointed by the District Chair 
2. at least one member of the panel should be aged under 25 
3. at least one member of the panel should hold a Sectional role  
4. each member of the panel must have a full appointment, including a completed and satisfactory personal enquiry 
5. no member of the panel can have been involved in the decision process to end the membership of the young person.

3.9.1.3 Participation and sponsoring authority rights

1. A reasonable opportunity must be provided for the young person whose membership has been ended, or their parents, to attend the panel meeting and present their case against the ending of membership. 
2. If the ending of membership is from a Sponsored Group (including an Explorer Unit partnered with a Sponsored Group, or from a section in a Sponsored Group in which the young person is a Young Leader), the Sponsoring Authority, who must have been consulted before the membership ending was agreed, has the right to attend the panel meeting and be heard. 

3.9.2 Appeal the ending of membership of a young person which was initiated by UK Headquarters

3.9.2.1 Appeal grounds and process

1. Where a young person’s membership has been ended under POR 3.8.1.6, if the youth member or their parent disagrees with the outcome they must raise their disagreement with the Head of Governance at UK Headquarters within 14 days of the decision. 
2. Appeals will only be considered on either of these two grounds: 
   1. new information has become available that was not previously considered 
   2. a required process was not followed that could have altered the decision to end membership 

   There can be no appeal based on ending membership following an unsatisfactory criminal record check (Scouts PVG disclosure) for a Young Leader/Young Helper in Scotland. 

3. The process to review the appeal:
   1. grounds to appeal the decision must be assessed by the UK Headquarters’ Head of Governance, the Head of Legal Services and the Chief Volunteering Officer (with a quorum of two)
   2. if the appeal meets the criteria, it will be reviewed by UK Headquarters’ Head of Safeguarding and a nominee of the UK Chief Volunteer
   3. the UK Headquarters’ Head of Governance must ensure that the individual receives a written, final outcome  
4. There is no further right to complain or appeal after this appeal process is completed.