Section 6: Safeguarding

For ease of reading the terms ‘DBS’ and ‘check’ are used throughout this guidance. This guidance also covers the alternate systems which are used in Northern Ireland and Scotland:

• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) checks are available for members in England and Wales
• Access Northern Ireland (ANI) checks are available for members in Northern Ireland
• Disclosure Scotland (DS) checks are available for members in Scotland

Scout Network members do not require a DBS check, as Scout Network members are not adult volunteers but are required to be a member of The Scout Association which involves being recorded on the association’s membership database.

If a Scout Network Member decides to undertake any activity which means that they are taking on the responsibilities of an adult volunteer (i.e. anything which means the Scout Network Member is providing care, training or supervision with or for young people aged under 18, rather than taking part in their own programme) they must hold the appropriate adult role for that activity and may also require a DBS check. The appropriate appointment processes should then be followed.

This could be an appointment with a regular commitment (such as Cub Scout Leader), but it could also be something like Scout Active Support Member or Skills Instructor. The key point is that they should have a role which reflects the activity that they are undertaking.

It is the policy of The Scout Association to safeguard the welfare of all members by protecting them from neglect and from physical, sexual and emotional harm.

We are committed to:

• Taking the interests and well-being of young people into account, in all our considerations and activities.
• Respecting the rights, wishes and feelings of the young people with whom we work.
• Taking all reasonable practicable steps to protect them from neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
• Promoting the welfare of young people and their protection within a position of trust.

All adults in Scouting, including members of the Scout Network who wish to work with young people, are responsible for putting this policy into practice at all times. An adult in Scouting has a responsibility to ensure that young people are protected from harm. It is the responsibility of each adult in Scouting to ensure that:

• their behaviour is appropriate at all times
• they observe the rules established for the safety and security of young people
• they follow the procedures following suspicion, disclosure or allegation of child abuse
• they recognise the position of trust in which they have been placed
• in every respect, the relationships they form with the young people under their care are appropriate

Find more information on Safeguarding on the Scouts website.