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Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

Discover what this means

Promoting good sexual health

If you would like to speak to a specialist about the issues raised here, use the directory of organisations listed in the Sexual health directory.

Introduction

(FS950000 Edition no 4 (103745)) (Published May 2023 replacing May 2020)

Organisations such as The Scout Association play a key role in helping young people develop the confidence and self-esteem to resist peer pressure until they are ready to make safe and informed decisions. However, many young people are already sexually active, and adults in Scouting can play a significant role in promoting safe and responsible relationships.

While parents or schools are still likely to be the preferred sources of information and advice for most young people, adults in Scouting have a trusted role and this makes them a potential source of confidential information and advice.

This content aims to: clarify the role of adults in Scouting with regard to information about sexual health and young people, and provide guidance, support and information to adults who may be approached by young people.

Knowledge about sexual health is vitally important to ensure that young people are equipped to make safe, informed and healthy choices as they progress through adult life. Providing young people with information and support is not about encouraging sexual activity in young people, but helping them to stay healthy and safe and to develop the confidence and self-esteem to resist peer pressure.

Parents and carers are the prime educators for children on many of these matters. Schools complement and reinforce this role and Relationships and Sex Education is compulsory in all secondary schools, and Relationships Education in primary schools. Adults in Scouting play a key role in the lives of young people and this makes them an additional source of information and advice. This document aims to provide guidance, support and information to adults who may be asked for information about sex by young people in Scouting.

Yellow Card

Our Young People First Code of Practice (Yellow Card) sets out guidance for all adults in Scouts.

Read the Yellow Card