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The appointment of Young Leaders

4b.2.1.1 Who may be Young Leaders? 
Explorers may become Young Leaders in the Squirrel, Beaver, Cub and Scout sections.  

4b.2.1.2 District Young Leaders’ Unit
All Young Leaders are members of a District Young Leaders’ Unit, whether or not they are also members of another Explorer Unit.   

The purpose of the Young Leader Unit is to ensure that: 

  1. all Young Leaders receive the training in the Young Leaders’ Scheme 
  2. every Young Leader has access to a programme pathway that leads them to the top awards within the Explorer section 

4b.2.1.3 Training for Young Leaders 
Young Leaders should undertake appropriate training as described in the Young Leaders' Scheme. Young Leaders must complete Module A within their first three months.

4b.2.1.4 Supervised access 

  1. Any young person under the age of 18 years working with a Squirrel, Beaver, Cub or Scout section must only ever have supervised access to young people. 
  2. Additionally, in Scotland, young leaders or young helpers aged 16 or 17 must also have been cleared to volunteer in a section by the UK Headquarters Safeguarding Team (this will be confirmed on the membership system record).

4b.2.1.5 Non-members undertaking Guiding or Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards 

  1. POR 4b.2.1.4 applies to non-members.
  2. The following non-members  may work with the Squirrel, Beaver, Cub or Scout sections, with the agreement of the Section Team, for a fixed period of time (as required for their level of award):  
    1. Members of Girlguiding aged 13½ -18 undertaking a Girlguiding award with a volunteering component  
    2. Young people aged 13½ -18 undertaking the Volunteering Section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.  
  3. Young people must not volunteer with any section until they are 13½ years of age.  
  4. Non-members aged under 18 working with Squirrel, Beaver, Cub or Scout sections must also complete training similar to Young Leaders, this is outlined on scouts.org.uk and in the Young Leaders' Scheme.  
  5. Members of Girlguiding and other young people undertaking the Volunteering section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award are not members of Scouts. They may be offered the opportunity to join Scouts in order to have access to the wider Explorer Scout provision.