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Our new digital system and ways of volunteering are live

Our new digital system and ways of volunteering are live

Our new digital system is now live. Read more

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Reporting a concern to safeguarding

Find out how to report a safeguarding concern

The welfare of children and young people is our priority and everyone has a duty to report safeguarding concerns directly to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team, in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card)

This makes sure that the team is aware of concerns as soon as possible and can put measures in place to minimise risks to children, young people and adults at risk.

A safeguarding concern could be about:

  • A breach of the Yellow Card or Green Card.
  • Police or statutory agency involvement regarding a member.
  • A welfare concern.
  • Suspicions that a child could be at risk of harm.

You must report concerns as soon as possible (always within 24 hours), whether you are told about them directly or indirectly. If you're not sure what to do, or you're not sure if a concern has been reported, contact the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

The UK HQ Safeguarding team will give advice, support and guidance from the moment you report a concern. If you inform another member about the concern, then both individuals must then report direct to the UK HQ Safeguarding team.

This applies to all concerns, no matter how insignificant they might seem or when they happened or whether they happened inside or outside of Scouts.

You can report by:

In an emergency outside the above times, you can contact the Safeguarding Team by calling the Scouts Support Centre on 0345 300 1818.

If a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm call 999 or 112 and ask for the police. Tell the UK HQ Safeguarding Team you have done this.

You can also call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or email them at help@nspcc.org.uk.

If you have a query regarding an existing safeguarding concern, please contact the Safeguarding Officer or Manager via their direct dial and/or email.

Safeguarding reporting form

Please complete as much of this form as possible including essential information before contacting the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

Download the reporting form

Reporting non-recent child abuse

If you were abused in childhood (up to 18 years old) in Scouts, you can report this to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team. It's never too late to report abuse you experienced.

Get support for non-recent abuse

Supporting young people

Read our guidance for volunteers on supporting young people with some of the challenges they may face in life.

Discover our guidance

Safeguarding information for parents and carers

What we do and who we work with to ensure the safety and safeguarding of children and young people at Scouts.

Find out how we keep young people safe