References
A guide and training clip on how to request, view and manage references
Quick links
Guide last reviewed: May 2025
On this page you'll find:
Download the references flowchartRequest references and view referee details
Who can complete this task: All volunteers who are full members.
To watch in full screen, double click the video
Start by signing in to scouts.org.uk.
On your welcome page:
1. Click ‘My membership’.
On the left-hand side menu (if you’re using a phone, click the menu button on the top right):
2. Click 'My profile'.
3. Click 'Roles and accreditations'.
4. Click 'My Roles'.
5. Click 'My references'.
On the 'My references' page:
6. Type the 'First name', 'Last name' and 'Email' into the boxes for at least 2 referees.
If you'd like to add other referees, click 'Add referee' and repeat step 6.
To remove a referee, click 'Remove referee'.
7. Tick the box to confirm you have read and understood the guidance before submitting the referees' details.
8. Click 'Submit'.
A message will appear at the bottom of the screen to confirm your referees' details have been submitted successfully.
To view the referees' details, repeat steps 1 to 5.
What happens next: The referees receive an email requesting them to complete the reference form.
To make any changes after submitting the referees' contact details, please email the Vetting Team at [email protected]
Review and manage reference requests
Who can complete this task: District and County Lead Volunteers and Volunteer Safeguarding Leads.
Note: If there're any issues flagged in references, District and County Lead Volunteers and accredited Volunteer Safeguarding Leads receive a notification. These references are marked as 'Awaiting manual check'. To manage these references:
Start by signing in to scouts.org.uk.
On your welcome page:
1. Click ‘My membership’.
On the left-hand side menu (if you’re using a phone, click the menu button on the top right):
2. Click 'Actions'.
3. Click 'Reference requests'.
On the 'Reference requests' page:
4. Click the 'Requestor name'.
On the volunteer's reference request page:
5. Click 'Referee 1'.
6. Select 'Decision' from the dropdown menu.
Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the other referees, if needed.
7. Type your comments into the 'Approver comments' box.
8. Click 'Approve' or 'Don't approve' and select an option from the dropdown menu.
9. If you selected 'Unsatisfactory' or 'Ask to resubmit reference(s)', click 'Confirm'.
A message will appear at the bottom of the screen to confirm the references have been successfully updated.
What happens next:
If you've approved the reference, the reference status changes to "Satisfactory".
If you haven't approved the reference because it doesn't meet reference requirements, the volunteer receives a notification requesting them to submit new referee details.
If you've selected unsatisfactory, the volunteer's joining journey ends and My membership notifies Safeguarding of the decision.