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Visits by persons who are not members of The Scout Association

9a.4.1.1 Scope 
This section of POR applies to visiting groups of people who are not members of The Scout Association but are members of organisations affiliated to WOSM and/or WAGGGS.

In the activity rules in this chapter, where reference is made to 'members of the Scout and Guide movements' this must be taken to mean members of an Association or Federation recognised by either WOSM or WAGGGS, other than members of The Scout Association. 

9a.4.1.2 Invitations follow approvals 
Invitations to members of the Scout and Guide movements to visit or camp with members of The Scout Association must not be confirmed until approval has been obtained from the relevant District or County Lead Volunteer.

9a.4.1.3 Insurance
The Scout Association’s Personal Accident and Medical Expenses Insurance Policy does not cover adequately visits by Members of the Scout and Guide movements (see POR 5g.3.3.2).

Unity (Scout Insurance Services) must be informed of visiting parties or individuals and should advise whether additional cover is required.  

9a.4.1.4 Use of group-based hospitality 
It is advised that the means of providing hospitality experiences for members of the Scout and Guide movements is through group-based hospitality (such as accommodating Scouts or Guides from abroad in Group accommodation) and not normally in private homes.   

Members of The Scout Association must follow the rules of the Scouts.

9a.4.1.5 Restrictions on home-based hospitality 
However, if under 18s are to participate in home-based hospitality (for example in private homes) then all the following conditions must be met:  

  1. The visiting members are Scouts or Guides from organisations affiliated to WOSM or WAGGGS but are not members of The Scout Association (including British Scouting Overseas and the Overseas Territories).  
  2. Home-based hospitality must be permitted in the rules of the visiting members of the Scout and Guide movements. For this reason, members of Girlguiding UK must not take part in home-based hospitality 
  3. a Hosting Agreement must be in place and signed by all parties such as, the Scouts Leader in Charge, leader(s) of the visiting members of the Scout and Guide movements, parents of the visiting members of the Scout and Guide movements and all adults who may be present overnight in the private home at the time of providing the experience 
  4. in all countries other than Scotland, all adults who may be present overnight in the private home at the time of providing the experience must: 
    1. have a valid criminal record check 
    2. sign a hosting agreement if members of Scouts aged under 18 are present in the home
  5. In Scotland:
    1. Young Leaders and Young Helpers aged 16 or 17 undertaking a regulated role who will be present at any time in the private home must  have a cleared criminal record check (Scouts’ PVG disclosure)
    2. all adults aged 18 and over must have a valid criminal record check and sign a hosting agreement. 
  6. the Leader in Charge must confirm the suitability of a home-based hospitality experience being offered to the visiting members of the Scout and Guide movements. This must be done by undertaking a home visit to the host family’s home before the home hospitality experience takes place (the home visit may be delegated by the Leader in Charge to another adult member of Scouts)  
  7. where the home hospitality experience is for two or more nights there must be a visit from the Leader in Charge, or their nominee, and the leader of the visiting members of the Scout and Guide movements, or their nominee, during the stay and every two nights thereafter for the duration of the stay  
  8. The visiting members of the Scout and Guide movements must be accommodated in at least a pair in each private home  
  9. the Leader in Charge must consider appropriate control measures and contingency plans 
  10. the host District Lead Volunteer, or their nominee, must approve in writing the home-based hospitality experience.  

9a.4.1.6 Guidance 
Further information and support may be found in Home and Hosted Hospitality Guidance (FS120821).