Lesson 3: Exploring the fundamentals of Scouts, and how to bring them to life

Scouts exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development. They should feel empowered to make a positive contribution to society.

The values provide everyone involved in Scouts with a guide for how to act. The five values are: integrity, respect, care, belief and co-operation.

The method describes Scouts in action. It’s all about young people enjoying and ‘learning by doing’ in partnership with adults, based on the Scout values. The method is a framework for you to plan a quality programme and says that young people in partnership with adults:

• Enjoy what they are doing and have fun.
• Take part in activities indoors and outdoors.
• Learn by doing.
• Share in spiritual reflection.
• Take responsibility and make choices.
• Undertake new and challenging activities.
• Make and live by their Promise.

While the fundamentals are designed to be brought to life, there are a few other key concepts to keep in mind

Originally written by Lord Baden-Powell, the Scout Law sits alongside the Scout Promise to create a positive framework that helps Scouts put the values into action.

The Scout Law
1. A Scout is to be trusted.
2. A Scout is loyal.
3. A Scout is friendly and considerate.
4. A Scout belongs to the world-wide family of Scouts.
5. A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
6. A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
7. A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

The Scout Promise is a simple way to help young people and adults keep the fundamentals of Scouts front of mind. It’s important that every member takes the time to consider and discuss its meaning before making the Promise and being invested into Scouts.

The Scout Promise:
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.

This is the variation of the Promise that’s for adult volunteers, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members. 

There are several different age groups in Scouts, which is why there are different versions of the Promise and Law to suit everyone. There are also different versions of the Promise that cater to different faiths, beliefs, individual differences and nationalities within the UK. Every volunteer and young person can uphold the spirit of the promise by choosing the wording that best suits and reflects them. You can have a look at the different versions of the Promise.

We have eight key policies, documented in Policy, Organisation and Rules, which all members must stick to. Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) contains all of the rules and policies that those in Scouts need to follow. It includes information on our structure, activities, awards, and how to deal with any difficult situations. You can read Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR).

Our key policies are:

• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Privacy and Data Protection Policy
• Religious Policy
• Safeguarding Policy
• Safety Policy
• Vetting Policy
• Youth Member Anti-Bullying Policy

NOTE: The order of Key Policies in this section is alphabetical and infers no order of importance nor priority; they are all equal. You can read more about our key policies.

It’s also important that we keep all of our members are safe. That’s why we have a Safety Policy, setting out what all those involved in Scouts must do to take safety seriously. You can read more about the Safety Policy.

We have a Safeguarding Policy, which details the duty of care to safeguard the welfare of our young people – a duty held by all of our members. Our safeguarding practice takes into account statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice. You can read more about the Safeguarding Policy. 

We also have a Young People First Code of Conduct, known as the Yellow Card, which sets out the Dos and Don’ts of how we all need to behave.

Line managers must ensure that all volunteers demonstrate an understanding of – and a commitment to – the principles and procedures mapped out in the Safeguarding Policy.

You’re going to find out much more about this in the Safety and Safeguarding online modules, which you’ll also need to complete as part of your learning journey. Then, every three years, it’ll be time to renew your knowledge.