Back together safely - latest updates
October 20 2021
- Update to the planning COVID-safe nights away in 2021 and the restart information hub, directing members to the general risk assessment pages for all risk assessment guidance and advice.
October 5 2021
- Update to the following guidance based on restrictions easing in various nations:
- Removal of guidance which is no longer required due to changes in restrictions:
- Where to meet and how to get there
- Keeping buildings safe and secure
- Guidance for large scale events
- Getting adults back involved
- Getting back into the great outdoors - reopening centres
The Back Together Safely Information Hub has been updated to reflect these changes.
September 17 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Wales, moving to Green.
- Update to protecting ourselves and others and planning COVID-safe nights away in 2021 to reflect the changes in Wales.
September 15 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Wales, giving advance notice of the expected move to Green on Friday 17 September.
September 6 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for England, moving to GREEN, providing updated information on residential activities and international travel.
- Update to the readiness level table for Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey and Gibraltar, updating to allow for international travel. Note: unless identified in the readiness level table visits abroad activities remain prohibited until January 2022, we continue to work with nation governments and will update when this is allowed in each jurisdiction.
- Update to the following guidance to reflect changes in listed above:
August 27 2021
- Update to the knowing what to do if something goes wrong guidance based on recent government changes following testing positive or coming into contact with someone who tests positive.
August 25 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Northern Ireland, updating the maximum group sizes for young people and Scout Network.
August 19 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Scotland, confirming the removal of limits for accommodation on for residential activities.
- Update to the planning COVID-safe nights away in 2021 to reflect changes in Scotland.
August 10 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Scotland, confirming the changes which apply now that restrictions have been further eased.
- Update to the planning COVID-safe nights away in 2021 to reflect changes in Wales and Scotland.
- Update to the protecting ourselves and others to reflect changes in Wales and Scotland.
- Update to the approval process for restarting, and the guidance for Commissioners, Executives and Approvers to reflect changes across all nations. Approval process for requestor, approver, commissioner and chair removed as smartsheet system no longer in operation.
August 9 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Wales, confirming the changes which apply now that Wales has moved to alert level 0.
- Update to the approval process for restarting for Wales, following the easing of restrictions this week
July 22 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Scotland, changes to group sizes and residential activities.
- Update to the readiness level table for Wales, confirming numbers for residential activities and giving notice for the next changes expected in August.
- Update to the following guidance to reflect these changes:
July 20 2021
- Update to the approval process for restarting for England, following the easing of restrictions this week.
July 19 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for England, changes to group sizes and residential activities.
- Update to the following guidance to reflect recent changes in various nations:
- protecting ourselves and others
- large events
- getting adults involved again
- planning safe and enjoyable programmes
- Nights away and international travel and planning COVID-safe nights away in 2021
- COVID-19 lateral flow testing within the scouts
- Getting back into the great outdoors
- Update to the programme section of the Information Hub.
- Removal of the adapting activities guidance as this is no longer required due to easing of restrictions.
July 17 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Wales, changes to group sizes and residential activities. Note: we are still awaiting confirmation of the sleeping arrangements and therefore nights away may not take place until this is confirmed.
July 15 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Wales, giving notice of changes coming into affect from Saturday 17 July.
- Update to the readiness level table for England, giving notice of changes coming into affect from Monday 19 July.
- Guidance will be updated to reflect these changes and will be published on Monday 19 July.
July 7 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Scotland, updating the limitations for residential activities.
- Updates to the guidance for COVID safe nights away in 2021, to reflect changes made to government guidance in Scotland.
July 2nd 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Northern Ireland, limited residential activities are permitted.
- Updates to the guidance for COVID safe nights away in 2021, to reflect changes made to government guidance in Northern Ireland.
June 21st 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for England, changes to the group sizes for residential activities.
- Updates to the guidance for COVID safe nights away in 2021, where to meet and getting there, lateral flow testing and getting back into the great outdoors to reflect changes made to government guidance in England.
- Updates to the COVID safe first aid training guidance
June 18th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Scotland, changes to the maximum group sizes.
June 17th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table page to reinforce the requirement to follow the home and host COVID restrictions when moving between jurisdictions.
June 16th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for England, giving notice of changes to nights away activities from Monday 21st June.
June 14th 2021
- We're aware of tonight's announcement from Government on the next stage of easing restrictions. Over the coming days, we'll work with the National Youth Agency (NYA) to discover if this has any impact on delivering face-to-face Scouting in England. It is anticipated that there will be an easing in restrictions related to nights away activities, increasing the group sizes, with this coming into affect from 21st June 2021. Once changes are confirmed we will communicate them directly and update these pages.
June 11th 2021
- Update to the guidance for COVID safe first aid training to reflect changes to validation criteria for first aid trainers.
June 5th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Scotland, moving Great Western, South East and South Western Districts to Yellow.
May 31st 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Scotland, changes to the nights away activity permitted.
May 27th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Gibraltar, moving to Green.
- Update to the readiness level table for Northern Ireland, changes to the numbers allowed, removing some restrictions on travel, food and drink.
- Additional notes added to the permitted activity by readiness level, providing some indications of what restrictions may still remain when jurisdictions move to Green.
- New guidance for large scale events, providing a cap on event sizes at the current time.
- Update to the guidance on getting adults involved again, clarifying the situation for England in Yellow and referencing the large scale event limits.
- Update to the guidance for planning COVID-safe nights away in 2021, with additional support for expeditions and referencing the large scale event limits.
May 24th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Scotland, moving Moray District to Yellow.
May 18th 2021
- Update to the guidance for planning a COVID-safe nights away in 2021 to provide more support for single occupancy accommodation and new guidance on COVID-19 lateral flow testing within the Scouts.
May 17th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for England, move to Yellow.
- Update to the readiness level table for Scotland, move to Yellow (with the exception of a few Districts who remain in Amber).
- Update to the readiness level table for Wales, updating what is allowed in Yellow and numbers for over 18 groups.
- Update to the guidance for getting adults back together safely, reflecting changes in numbers for Scotland and Wales in Yellow.
May 14th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Scotland, clarifying what is permitted with the next anticipated move to Yellow on 17th May. Note there are two exceptions who will remain in Amber.
- Update to the readiness level table for Wales, clarifying what is permitted with the next anticipated update within Yellow on 17th May.
May 13th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for England, clarifying what is permitted with the next anticipated move to Yellow on 17th May.
- Update to the Permitted activity by readiness level to explain that in some locations residential activities will be permitted at Yellow.
- Updated nights away and international travel guidance and new guidance for planning COVID-safe nights away activities in 2021. This includes example risk assessments for COVID-safe nights away activities.
- Update to the approval process pages to explain the approval process for nights away taking place whist COVID restrictions are in place.
- Update to the planning a safe and enjoyable rogramme guidance reflecting seasonal activity changes.
- Update to the COVID response fundraising guidance to provide guidance on running local fundraising events.
May 6th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Jersey, moving to Green.
May 4th 2021
- Update to the getting adults involved again guidance with links updated in the readiness level table.
- Update to the protecting ourselves and others guidance, with clarification on social distancing.
- Update to the usability of the Getting Back Together Safely Page of the website to assist those accessing the information for the first time.
May 3rd 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Wales, moving to Yellow.
April 26th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Scotland, updates to the rules regarding trips and visits and the numbers permitted for activities.
- Update to the readiness level table for Wales, updates to the rules regarding trips and visits and the numbers permitted for Scout Network activities. Advance warning of a move to Yellow on 3rd May.
April 19th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Isle of Man, moving to Green.
April 16th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Gibraltar, moving to Yellow.
April 12th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for England, moving to Amber (indoors).
April 8th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for England, clarifying what is permitted with the move to Amber (indoors) on 12th April.
- Update to the Getting adults back together safely guidance to reflect changes in England.
April 6th 2021
- Following the government announcement confirming the move in England to step 2 of the COVID roadmap we are working with the National Youth Agency to confirm what this means for the youth sector and the Scouts, we will update the readiness level table and communicate this to volunteers as soon as we have more information.
April 1st 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Northern Ireland, moving to Yellow.
- Bank of resources have been created to enable leaders to create an action plan to respond to COVID-19
Assess your Group, District or County’s situation and create an action plan to respond to COVID-19 by reading the pages on creating an action plan.
Use the action plan template while working through the below pages:
March 30th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Northern Ireland, clarifying what is permitted with the next anticipated move to Yellow.
- Update to the readiness level table for Gibraltar, moving to Yellow.
March 29th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for England, moving to Amber.
March 27th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Wales, moving to Amber.
- Update to the programme flexibility guidance, specifically around top awards.
March 25th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table page with reminders of the requirements for risk assessments before restarting, checking the current requirements for social distancing and face coverings and an update for England to clarify adult numbers.
- Restart FAQs replaced with an information hub and first aid FAQs move to the first aid training FAQs page. The main Getting Back Together Safely page has been updated to remove the resources which are now available in the information hub.
March 23rd 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for England, following updates to NYA guidance ahead of a move to Amber on 29th March. Updates include changes to maximum group sizes, trips and visits.
- Communications to line managers in England only to explain the updates outlined above.
- Update to the Planning a safe and enjoyable programme guidance to provide more support for trips and visits when they are permitted within a jurisdiction and to reflect changes in group sizes.
March 22nd 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Guernsey, moving to Green.
March 18th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for England, clarifying what is permitted with the next anticipated move to Amber indoors.
March 16th 2021
- Communications to members in Wales to explain the timescales for returning to Amber following the recent Welsh government announcements.
- Update to the readiness level table for Wales, showing what will be allowed when Wales move to Amber (expected 27th March 2021).
- Update to the readiness level table for England and Scotland, clarifying what is permitted within Amber, specifically relating to activities away from the meeting place, hikes etc.
March 12th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Scotland, moving to Amber.
March 11th 2021
- Communications to members in Scotland to explain the timescales for returning to Amber following the recent government announcements.
- Update to the readiness level table for Scotland, showing what will be allowed when Scotland move to Amber (expected 12th March 2021).
March 5th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for England, showing what will be allowed when England move to Amber (expected 29th March 2021).
- Update the the Nights Away and International guidance responding to questions following the recent announcement about time frames for nights away and international travel.
- Update to the protecting ourselves and others guidance responding to changes regarding face coverings in England.
- Update to the where to meet and getting there guidance with more support relating to the use of minibuses and when this would be appropriate.
- Update to the guidance for adults meeting following recent changes in government guidance.
March 2nd 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Isle of Man, moving them to Red.
March 1st 2021
- Update to the planning a safe and enjoyable programme guidance and the adapting activities guidance to respond to seasonal variations in activities, updates regarding supervision of multiple groups using a single location and the sharing and clearing of equipment.
- Update to Nights Away and International guidance to clarify the earliest expected dates for these activities to take place.
- Update to the COVID DofE guidance in response to changes from the DofE regarding the Certificate of Achievement.
- Communications to line managers (1st March) and all members (2nd March) in England only to explain the timescales for returning to Amber following the recent government announcements, check back for full details.
February 26th 2021
- Update to the COVID safe first aid training guidance, offering a blended model.
February 22nd 2021
We’re aware of the latest Government announcement about reopening schools in England. We’ll work with the National Youth Agency (NYA) to see how this affects face-to-face Scouting. If there are any updates, we'll email members and update the website.
- Update to the readiness level table for Gibraltar, moving from Red to Amber.
February 4th 2021
- Updated support for young people.
February 1st 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Jersey, updating permitted group sizes.
January 27th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Guernsey, moving them to Red.
January 7th 2021
- Update to the FAQs based on the NYA announcement regarding youth workers and key worker status, as well as in response to questions regarding vulnerable young people.
January 5th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for England based on government announcement on 4th Jan and addition of Gibraltar.
January 4th 2021
- Update to the readiness level table for Northern Ireland moving to amber on 31st December2020.
December 24th 2020
- Update to the readiness level table in advance of Scotland moving to red on 26th December.
- Update to the readiness level table in advance of Northern Ireland moving to amber on 26th December.
December 23rd 2020
- Update to England variations in the readiness level table applying to all tier 4 locations.
December 21st 2020
- Responding to local and national restrictions guidance updated to reflect recent changes to tier systems across the UK.
- Readiness level table updated to specify which Districts within English Scout Counties are in Red.
December 20th 2020
- Updates to the readiness level table for England and Wales where areas have been placed in Tier 4 moving those areas to Red.
- Updates expected for Scotland and Northern Ireland with effect from 26th December, available from 24th December for information.
December 19th 2020
- We are aware there are now various different lockdowns coming in across the UK at different times over the coming weeks. We will post a full update soon on what that will means for the delivery of Scouting.
December 17th 2020
- COVID safe first aid training guidance now available and members able to deliver face to face first response validation sessions in Amber and Yellow. FAQs updated to support these changes.
December 16th 2020
- Scotland - updates to face coverings based on latest government guidance, see readiness level table and protecting ourselves and others guidance for full details.
December 11th 2020
- Scotland move areas from Amber to Yellow in line with government updates to levels.
- Northern Ireland - updates to adult group sizes and face coverings based on latest government guidance, see readiness level table and protecting ourselves and others guidance for full details.
- Working safely with the public guidance updated to reflect changes to government guidance.
December 2nd 2020
- England move to Amber.
- Additional FAQ on what essential activities / tasks for adults means.
November 30th 2020
- Confirmation of the changes from lockdown to local tier systems in England. Check the readiness level table has been updated in anticipation of the move to Amber on 2 December.
November 26th 2020
- Following recent announcements regarding the new Tier System for England beginning on 2 December, we're working with the National Youth Agency (NYA) and Government to understand what this will mean for youth activities and will be in touch directly with members in England about this shortly.
- Guidance on nights away and international travel available to help members with forward planning into 2021.
- Programme guidance updated to reflect changes in seasonal activities.
November 20th 2020
- Following updates to areas in Scotland moving into Tier 4 of the Scottish 5 tier system, updates have been made to the readiness level table moving some locations into Amber.
- Update to clarify that Beavers and Cubs are permitted to meet indoors in Wales, but they are not included within the 15 people maximum, social distancing of 2m must still be observed.
November 9th 2020
- Wales returned to Yellow.
November 5th 2020
- Additional clarification on attendance at Remembrance events in England.
- Additional guidance for members in Scotland following the introduction of the Scottish 5 tier system, full details on the impact of this can be found in the responding to local restrictions guidance. This includes updates to the guidance on face coverings which can be found in the protecting ourselves and others guidance.
- England move to Red following recent government announcement of four week lockdown, no face to face activity can take place with young people or adult volunteers. We expect these restrictions to last until 2 December.
November 2nd 2020
- Northern Ireland returned to Yellow.
- What to do when something goes wrong and programme guidance updates following NYA guidance updates relating to reporting COVID cases and mixing groups.
October 23rd 2020
- Wales moved to Red readiness level as a consequence to the local restrictions, this is anticipated until 9 November.
October 19th 2020
- Northern Ireland moved to Red readiness level as a consequence to the local restrictions, this is anticipated at two weeks only.
- Counties in England previously in Red moved to Amber, with the exceptions of those in Tier 3 very high areas.
October 16th 2020
- In response to this weeks government announcements, we have updated the guidance for responding to local and national restrictions. To keep up to date please check the readiness level for your area. If you have any questions please speak with your line manager.
October 12th 2020
- In response to today's government announcements, we will be making changes to our local readiness levels in the coming days. To keep up to date please check the readiness level for your area. We are working on updating the guidance for responding to local restrictions which will be available soon. If you have any questions please speak with your line manager.
October 8th 2020
- Northern Ireland move to Yellow readiness level.
October 6th 2020
- Getting back together safely pages of www.scouts.org.uk changes to make more accessible, documents became web copy and more accessible and searchable. Reduction in volume of information for members.
September 3rd 2020
- Version 2 of the Scout restart framework published to reflect readiness level change to AMBER with the inclusion of indoors (in England), guidance updated to support this change
September 10th 2020
- Scotland move to Yellow, guidance updated to reflect what this allows.
September 24th 2020
- Getting adults back together again – new guidance to support Scout Network and adult meetings, trainings etc, responding to member feedback and changes in government guidance around social activities for adults.
- Minor updates to FAQs and guidance responding to feedback from members.
- Additional guidance for those operating Scouts as part of the curriculum
- England moved to Amber
- Socially distanced programme ideas for sections launched
- Further guidance to support first aid delivery and training, risk assessment support video launched
- Scouts restart framework and initial guidance on returning safely is launched.
