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District Teams and their members

4c.2.1 Counties with no Districts

4c.2.1.1 Role of County
Some Counties have no Districts. In this case, POR 4c.2 does not apply. See POR 4c.3 for more detail of the role of the County in these cases.

4c.2.2 District teams

4c.2.2.1 District team structure 
A District consists of a Leadership Team, a 14-24 Team, a Programme Team, a Volunteering Development Team, a Support Team and a Trustee Board (POR 5b.1)

4c.2.3 District Leadership Team

4c.2.3.1 Purpose 
The District Leadership Team leads and inspires volunteers to give young people great experiences and skills for life. It ensures that each of the District’s teams are organised, have enough volunteers, and can support delivery of a great programme.  

4c.2.3.2 Membership 
District Leadership Team membership:

  1. team members are: 
    • the District Lead Volunteer(s) 
    • the District Youth Lead(s) 
    • the Group Lead Volunteer(s) of each of the Groups of the District 
    • the Team Leaders of each of the District’s 14-24 team, Programme team, Volunteering Development team and Support team 
    • other District Leadership Team Members appointed by the Lead Volunteer(s) of the District 
    • the Sub-team Leaders of any appointed sub-teams of the District Leadership Team (but note Rule 4c.2.3.4) 
  2. the District Lead Volunteer is the Team Leader of the District Leadership Team.   
    In the case of a joint appointment (two or more volunteers) as District Lead Volunteer, they must agree between them how best to exercise team leadership of the District Leadership Team. 

4c.2.3.3 Responsibilities 
The District Leadership Team must complete the tasks described in the team description: 

  1. Making sure each of the teams across the District: 
    • are working effectively 
    • make young people and volunteers feel welcome and included
    • are inclusive and reflect the demographics of their local area
    • have the resources, skills and enthusiasm to deliver the Scouts’ strategy. 
  2. Ensuring that volunteers across the District’s teams 
    • fulfil their safety and safeguarding responsibilities 
    • brief helpers on safety and safeguarding 
    • make sure that volunteers embrace Our Volunteering Culture. 
  3. Supporting recruitment to make sure there are Group Lead Volunteers, Chairs and Team Leaders in the District and its Groups,  
  4. Providing leadership and inspiration to volunteers (and staff, if relevant) 
  5. Ensuring that the District’s teams are fully developed, organised and focussed on supporting programme delivery.  
  6. Supporting the District Youth Lead(s) to work with District and Group teams so they can be shaped by young people.   
  7. Ensuring Data Protection compliance in the District – including the Leadership Team responsibilities listed at 2a.3.2.2 and including all District Teams and sub-teams 
  8. Have in place provisions to respond to data breaches, data protection complaints and subject rights requests. 

Read the complete District Leadership Team description on scouts.org.uk.

4c.2.3.4 Sub-teams
District teams can each have sub-teams, where relevant and appropriate. Any sub-team must be responsible for specific tasks.   

The District Leadership Team should not normally need to appoint its own sub-teams.   

For the other District teams (14-24, Programme, Volunteering Development and Support), creation and appointment of any sub-teams must be agreed by the District Leadership Team. 

4c.2.4 District 14-24 Team

4c.2.4.1 Purpose 
The District 14–24 Team supports all volunteers in Explorer, Young Leader, and Scout Network sections. They help these Section Teams plan and deliver great programmes for young people. 

4c.2.4.2 Membership 
The District 14-24 Team members are:

  1. the District 14-24 Team Leader(s)
  2. each of the Explorer Section Team Leaders of the District, including the Young Leader Unit Team Leader
  3. sub-team Leaders of any appointed sub-teams
  4. other District 14-24 Team Members appointed by the District 14-
    24 Team Leader

4c.2.4.3 Responsibilities 
The District 14-24 Team must complete the tasks described in the team description. The tasks are grouped under these headings:

  1. Support Explorer, Young Leader, and Scout Network Section Teams
  2. Develop our volunteers
  3. Support the development of young people in sections
  4. Manage incidents
  5. Support effective processes
  6. maintaining an effective and motivated group of volunteers within
    the Explorer (including Young Leader) Units

Read the complete District 14-24 Team description on scouts.org.uk.

4c.2.4.4 Sub-teams 
The District 14-24 Team may appoint one or more sub-teams responsible for specific tasks. The District Leadership Team must approve the creation of a sub-team before it is created. Team Leaders of a sub-team are District 14-24 Team Members.   

4c.2.4.5 Shared teams 
A District Leadership Team may decide with a neighbouring District Leadership Team to share a 14-24 Team. This must be recorded on the membership system as two District 14-24 Teams – one in each District. Each member of the shared team must have two roles, one in each District. Each District Leadership Team remains jointly responsible for a shared District 14-24 Team.

4c.2.5 District Programme Team

4c.2.5.1 Purpose 
The District Programme Team helps every section in the District run a safe, enjoyable and quality programme. To help do this, they bring Section Team volunteers together with activity experts.

4c.2.5.2 Membership 
District Programme Team members are:

  1. the District Programme Team Leader(s)
  2. Sub-Team Leaders of any appointed sub-teams
  3. Other District Programme Team Members appointed by the District Programme Team Leader

4c.2.5.3 Responsibilities 
The District Programme Team must complete the tasks described in the team description. The tasks are grouped under these headings:

  1. Help Section Teams run quality programmes
  2. Keep an eye out for any learning which may help Section Teams to deliver a fantastic programme for all.
  3. Organise programme networking opportunities
  4. Help Section Teams access expert advice and support:
  5. Approve activities and permits (when shared by the Lead
    Volunteer).

Read the complete District Programme Team description on scouts.org.uk.

4c.2.5.4 Sub-teams 
A District Programme Team may appoint one or more sub-teams responsible for specific tasks. The District Leadership Team must approve the creation of a sub-team. Team Leaders of a sub-team are District Programme Team Members.

4c.2.5.5 Shared teams 
A District Leadership Team may decide with a neighbouring District Leadership Team to share a Programme Team. This must be recorded on the membership system as two District Programme Teams – one in each District. Each member of the shared team must have two roles, one in each District. Each District Leadership Team remains jointly responsible for a shared District Programme Team.

4c.2.6 District Volunteering Development Team

4c.2.6.1 Purpose 
The District Volunteering Development Team makes sure all volunteers in their District have a positive and enjoyable volunteering experience. They make it easy for people to join and learn new skills.

4c.2.6.2 Membership 
District Volunteering Development Team members are:

  1. the District Volunteering Development Team Leader(s)
  2. Sub-Team Leaders of any appointed sub-teams
  3. other District Volunteering Development Team Members appointed by the District Volunteering Development Team Leader.

4c.2.6.3 Responsibilities 
The District Volunteering Development Team must complete the tasks described in the team description. The tasks are grouped under these headings:

  1. Support all District teams to be aware of, and embrace, Our Volunteering Culture
  2. Attract and welcome new volunteers to District and Group teams
  3. Make sure volunteers are well supported
  4. Help volunteers with learning
  5. Recognise volunteer’s achievements

Read the complete District Volunteering Development Team description on scouts.org.uk.

4c.2.6.4 Sub-teams 
A District Volunteering Development Team may appoint one or more sub-teams responsible for specific tasks. The relevant District Leadership Team must approve the creation of a sub-team before it is created. Team Leaders of a sub-team are Volunteering Development Team members. 

4c.2.6.5 Shared teams 
A District Leadership Team may decide with a neighbouring District Leadership Team to share a District Volunteering Development Team. This must be recorded on the membership system as two District Volunteering Development Teams – one in each District. Each member of the shared team must have two roles, one in each District. Each District Leadership Team remains jointly responsible for a shared District Volunteering Development Team.

4c.2.7 District Support Team

4c.2.7.1 Purpose 
The District Support Team gives tools and resources and practical help to help Scouts run smoothly.  

4c.2.7.2 Membership 
District Support Team members are:

  1. the District Support Team Leader(s)
  2. Sub-Team Leaders of any appointed sub-teams
  3. other District Support Team Members appointed by the District Support Team Leader

4c.2.7.3 Responsibilities 
The District Support Team must complete the tasks described in the team description. The tasks are grouped under these headings:

  1. Support Scouts locally by engaging with the community
  2. Open new provision
  3. Support effective processes
  4. Look after property and equipment

Read the complete District Support Team description on scouts.org.uk.

4c.2.7.4 Sub-teams 
A District Support Team may appoint one or more sub-teams responsible for specific tasks. The creation of a sub-team must have the prior approval of the relevant District Leadership Team. Team Leaders of a sub-team are District Support Team members. 

4c.2.7.5 Shared teams 
A District Leadership Team may decide with a neighbouring District Leadership Team to share a District Support Team. This must be recorded on the membership system as two District Support Teams – one in each District. Each member of the shared team must have two roles, one in each District. Each District Leadership Team remains jointly responsible for a shared District Support Team.