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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

Leadership Team Accreditations

Understand which leadership tasks are shared through accreditations

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Leadership Teams lead and inspire volunteers to give young people great experiences and skills for life. They make sure volunteer teams are organised, have enough volunteers, work well together, and can deliver a great programme.  

Many tasks for Leadership Teams can be organised flexibly, based on volunteers’ skills, interests, and availability.

For others, a volunteer needs permission to do specific tasks or take on certain responsibilities.

Lead Volunteers can also share some of their leadership responsibilities through accreditations. They make sure volunteers with the right skills and experience take on these responsibilities through accreditations.

Group / District / County Accreditations

The following accreditation is linked to the Group Leadership Team and District / County Volunteering Development Team:

Purpose:  

Our Recruiters advertise volunteering opportunities and support those interested in volunteering with Scouts. 

Tasks: 

  • Identify potential recruitment opportunities and run recruitment processes.  
  • Spot gaps in local teams to determine which roles to advertise for.  
  • Align with Scouts’ local and national recruitment campaigns where possible.
  • Use the advertising feature on scouts.org.uk to post adverts for volunteers.
  • Respond to general expressions of interest.  
  • Support potential volunteers by letting them know where they’re up to in the joining process and what their next steps are.

Who can receive this accreditation: 

These tasks can be done by all Lead Volunteers, Team Leaders, and Chairs as default. Additionally, they can be shared as an accreditation with any full member. 

What learning do they need: 

  • Read and follow Our Brand (including our brand guidelines, style guide and how we talk) 
  • Read Growing Scouts guidance 

 Who can give or remove this accreditation: 

  • All Lead Volunteers
  • All Volunteering Development Team Leaders

   

The following accreditation is a responsibility within Sections and can be given by Group Lead Volunteers (for Group Sections) or 14-24 Team Leaders (for 14-24 Sections):

Purpose: 

Our Nominated Person accreditation allows a volunteer, with the appropriate professional training, to carry out intimate or personal care for young people. 

Tasks: 

  • Understand and follow our Intimate and Personal Care Policy and Procedures. 
  • Help plan and create Individual Support Plans for young people. 
  • Provide intimate or personal care for young people only. 
  • Work with other volunteers (including Section Team Leaders, Team Members and Designated Carers) to make adjustments and support wider learning if needed. 

As well as the Nominated Person, a second adult volunteer must also be present during all intimate or personal care. This could be a Designated Carer, where relevant. 

Who can have this accreditation: 

  • Any full member (except anyone whose only role is Trustee, and any roles that do not have a criminal records check).
  • They must have professional training or experience outside of Scouts to give intimate and personal care. This needs to be verified by the County Lead Volunteer (or their nominated representative) once the Individual Support Plan is created. See Guidance for Appointments. 
  • The Nominated Person should be agreed by everyone involved, particularly by the young person receiving care. 

What learning is needed: 

Who can give or remove this accreditation: 

  • Group Lead Volunteer (for Group Sections) 
  • 14-24 Team Leader (for 14-24 Sections) 

  
District / County Accreditations

Purpose:  

Our Award Nominations Supporters review award nominations. They decide if the nominated person should get the award, then support or approve it. 

District Award Nominations Supporters can approve nominations for these Good Service Awards: 

  • The Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service 
  • The Award for Merit 

County Award Nominations Supporters can approve nominations for these Good Service Awards: 

  • The Bar to the Award for Merit  
  • The Silver Acorn  

County Award Nominations Supporters can support nominations for the following Good Service Awards. The National Award Advisory Group can then approve the nominations: 

  • The Bar to Silver Acorn 
  • The Silver Wolf 
  • Meritorious Conduct Awards (includes Youth) 
  • Gallantry Awards (includes Youth) 
  • The Cornwell Scout Badge (includes Youth) 
  • The Chief Scout’s Personal Award (includes Youth) 

Tasks:   

Who can have this accreditation:  

These tasks can be done by the Lead Volunteer as default. They can also be shared as an accreditation with any full member.  

What learning is needed:  

None 

Who can give or remove this accreditation:  

All Lead Volunteers (except Group Lead Volunteers) 

Purpose: 

Our Data Leads oversee issues, cases and enquiries to do with our Data Protection Policies. 

Tasks:  

Oversee issues, cases, enquiries and compliance and support volunteers to: 

  • Report, respond to and resolve data incidents and breaches appropriately and in good time, as required by the law and Scouts policies.  
  • Follow current UK data protection laws and regulations. 
  • Respond to data subject rights requests which include subject access requests (where a person asks an organisation for access to the data they hold about them) 

Support best practice 

  • Promote a culture of good data protection practice.  
  • Keep up a good knowledge of data protection law and best practice. 
  • Come up with tools and practices to support their local area. 
  • Offer general advice to Groups and signpost to the Scouts or ICO websites if there’s a data issue. 
  • Let the Trustee Board know when there are data issues. 
  • Be the main point of contact on all data issues. 

Provide guidance and support around protecting data 

  • Support the local area to use secure software and appropriate hardware (known as technical controls).  
  • Support the local area to only give access to data that volunteers need, and to remove access if people leave their roles or teams (known as organisational controls). 

Who can have this accreditation: 

These tasks can be done by the Lead Volunteer as default. They can also be shared as an accreditation with any full member. 

What learning is needed: 

Who can give or remove this accreditation: 

All Lead Volunteers (except Group Lead Volunteers) 

Purpose: 

Our Nights Away Approvers review Nights Away Notification (NAN) forms, as part of the process needed for adult volunteers to take young people on memorable residential and camping experiences.  

Tasks: 

Who can have this accreditation: 

These tasks can be done by the Lead Volunteer as a default. Additionally, they can be shared as an accreditation with any full member (except anyone whose only role is Trustee, and roles that do not have a criminal record check). 

What learning is needed:  

Safety Learning for Managers (in the future this will become Nights Away Approver Learning) 

Who can give or remove this accreditation: 

All Lead Volunteers (except Group Lead Volunteers) 

Purpose:  

Our Permit Approvers have the important responsibility of issuing adventurous activity permits and nights away permits, following the recommendations given by the Adventurous Activity Assessor and Nights Away Assessor.

The purpose of the Activity Permit Scheme is to make sure someone has the right skills and experience to safely lead an adventurous activity with a group of young people in Scouts. 

The purpose of the Nights Away Permit Scheme is to make sure someone has the right skills, experience and personable suitability to lead nights away events for young people.

Tasks:   

  • Approve permits using Scouts' recognised process. 
  • Feedback to members detailing any restrictions placed on permits, making sure they fully understand them. 
  • Take away permits where volunteers haven’t followed our rules and put people’s safety at risk. 
  • Work alongside the Manager of the Activity Permit Scheme (MAPS) in carrying out an annual moderation process. 
  • Work with the relevant Programme Team to support nights away.

While others (for example, Adventurous Activity Assessor, Nights Away Approver, Team Leaders, or Team Members) can provide support, only the Permit Approver can grant a permit. 

Who can have this accreditation:  

These tasks can be done by the Lead Volunteer as a default. Additionally, they can be shared as an accreditation with any full member (except anyone whose only role is Trustee, and any roles that do not have a criminal record check).  

Please note, the Permit Approver who grants a permit must be a different person to the Adventurous Activity Assessor and Nights Away Assessor making a recommendation (for that specific permit). 

What learning is needed:  

Safety Learning for Managers (in the future this will become Permit Approver Learning). 

Who can give or remove this accreditation: 

All Lead Volunteers (except Group Lead Volunteers). 

Purpose: 

Our Resolutions Leads oversee concerns raised under our Scouts’ Complaints Policy. 

Tasks:  

  • Make sure all incidents are reported, recorded, responded to and closed, as required by the law and Scouts policies in good time.
  • Try and resolve any problems and issues raised by our adult and youth members, and by parents/carers of young people.
  • Think of ways, like good communication, to try and stop conflict before it happens and from happening again.
  • Keep up to date with policies and best practice.
  • Share knowledge from previous cases with the wider network of Resolution Leads (or Lead Volunteers where there’s not a Resolution Lead) and the Resolutions UKHQ Team.
  • Work with other Lead Volunteers, Volunteer Safeguarding Leads, Safety Leads, Data Leads and Local Suspension Leads, where needed.

Who can have this accreditation: 

These tasks can be done by the Lead Volunteer as default. They can also be shared as an accreditation with any full member (except anyone whose only role is Trustee, and any roles that do not have a criminal record check).  

What learning is needed: 

It'll also be useful to learn about Resolving Conflict (content is currently being developed and will be added here when ready).

Who can give or remove this accreditation: 

All Lead Volunteers (except Group Lead Volunteers)

Purpose: 

Our Safety Leads support their local areas to make sure the safety of everyone involved in Scouts is being looked after.   

Tasks: 

  • Promote a culture of Safe Scouting in their local area.
  • Carry out and review risk assessments.
  • Support the reporting of safety-related incidents to UKHQ.
  • Learn from previous incidents or safety concerns raised in the local area.
  • Support and advise Leadership Teams and Trustee Boards on safety matters. For example, a District Safety Lead would support Group Leadership Teams and Group Trustee Boards. A County Safety Lead would support District Leadership Teams and District Trustee Boards.
  • Collaborate with the County Safety Adviser and UKHQ to share safety trends, lessons learned, and best practice.

Who can have this accreditation: 

These tasks will be done by the Lead Volunteer as default. They can also be shared as an accreditation with any full member (except anyone whose only role is Trustee, and any roles that do not have a criminal record check).  

What learning is needed: 

Safety Learning for Managers 

Who can give or remove this accreditation: 

All Lead Volunteers (except Group Lead Volunteers) 

Purpose: 

Our Suspension Leads oversee the suspension process at local levels. They’ll recommend and/or approve suspensions of volunteers, where necessary. 

They don’t cover suspensions or stay-aways set by the UKHQ Safeguarding Team. 

Tasks: 

  • Oversee the suspension process at a local level. 
  • Understand the rules in POR Chapter 16 (rules 16.4 and 16.5), and carry out key actions that’re needed before, during and after the suspension. 
  • Make suspensions (as the ‘recommender’) or approve suspensions (as the ‘approver’), depending on the level of the volunteer. 
  • Make sure the suspension process is communicated clearly. 
  • Remain as neutral as possible to protect Scouts and everyone involved.  
  • Offer a ‘liaison person’ to support the suspended volunteer. 
  • Contact the UKHQ Safeguarding team if there’s doubt about whether a case relates to safeguarding (this’ll be dealt with by UKHQ), or if it can be managed locally.

Who can have this accreditation: 

These tasks can be done by all Lead Volunteers (except Group Lead Volunteers) by default. They can also be shared as an accreditation with any full member (except anyone whose only role is Trustee, and any roles that do not have a criminal record check).  

What learning needs to be completed:

It'll also be useful to learn about Resolving Conflict (content is currently being developed and will be added here once ready).

Who can give or remove this accreditation: 

All Lead Volunteers (except Group Lead Volunteers) 

Purpose: 

Our Volunteer Safeguarding Leads respond to safeguarding concerns in their local area in line with the Grey Card.

Tasks: 

Follow the procedures in the Grey Card

  • Be the main point of contact (known as Situation Manager) for the UKHQ Safeguarding Team. Assist with the handling of any safeguarding concerns, following the advice of the Safeguarding Team.  
  • Report all safeguarding concerns brought to their attention to the UKHQ Safeguarding Team. This applies to all concerns, no matter how small they might seem, when they happened or whether they happened inside or outside of Scouts.  
  • Agree an action plan with the Safeguarding Team. This could include assisting with HQ’s suspension process such as providing local support, sharing information, making enquiries, and speaking to parents / carers.

Respond to safeguarding concerns during the appointments process, including: 

  • Before, during or after welcome conversations 
  • Criminal record checks
  • Adverse criminal record checks
  • Internal checks 
  • Unsatisfactory references.

Work with other volunteers  

  • Promote a culture of safeguarding in the local area. 
  • Make sure volunteers are following the Yellow Card (Young People First Code of Practice) and reporting any concerns they may have. 
  • Work with the Safeguarding Adviser and Volunteering Development Team Leader to share learnings and trends to identify what support and information is needed for volunteers.

Who can have this accreditation: 

These tasks can be done by the Lead Volunteer as default. Additionally, they can be shared as an accreditation with any full member (except anyone whose only role is Trustee, and any roles that do not have a criminal record check) who’s: 

  • Committed to following the Grey Card. 
  • Someone with experience and knowledge of safeguarding within Scouts. 

Please note, qualifications aren’t needed, but they should have a keen interest in safeguarding. 

What learning needs to be completed: 

Read and understand:

We also recommend completing the Lead Volunteer Safeguarding Learning.

Who can give or remove this accreditation: 

All Lead Volunteers (except Group Lead Volunteers)

  
County Accreditations

Purpose:

Our Safeguarding Advisers support and develop a culture of Safe Scouting for their County. They give support, information and advice to help members understand and follow the Safeguarding, Intimate Care and Youth member Anti-bullying policies.

Tasks:

Give information and advice

  • Offer support and advice across the County (including for Groups and Districts) about promoting a culture of safeguarding.
  • Support anyone organising events for Scouts to make sure they’re run safely and in line with Scouts policies.
  • Support Group / District / County Lead Volunteers to use tools and our website guidance (such as ‘Keeping Scouting Good’) and encourage safeguarding learning.
  • Tell members where to go for more support on the Scouts website.

Promote a culture of safeguarding

  • Encourage openness and transparency. If members have any concerns or believe someone hasn’t followed the Yellow Card Code of Conduct for Volunteers, this should be questioned and/or reported.
  • Create a space where young people feel safe and able to voice their concerns.
  • Make sure the Yellow Card is shared with everyone, and its poster is displayed.
  • Suggest activities for young people that are approved and have gone through UKHQ.

Support learning

  • Keep up to date with national safeguarding changes in Scouts using information available (including management information and data, local and national learnings)
  • Make sure volunteers within the County understand and follow our safeguarding policies, stay up to date on advice, guidance and rules, and promote a culture of Safe Scouting across the local area.

Work with other volunteers

  • Work with Group / District / County Lead Volunteers and the District / County Volunteering Development Teams to decide what support and information is needed for volunteers to follow our safeguarding policies.
  • Please note, this role doesn’t get involved in safeguarding cases. These are looked at by the HQ Safeguarding Team with the support of the Volunteer Safeguarding Lead or District / County Lead Volunteer (if there isn’t a Volunteer Safeguarding Lead).

Who can have this accreditation:

  • Any full member (except anyone whose only role is Trustee, and any roles that do not have a criminal record check).
  • It’s important to already have experience and knowledge of safeguarding within Scouts.

This accreditation doesn’t ask for qualifications or external experience in safeguarding, but it may be useful.

What learning is needed:

Who can give or remove this accreditation:

  • County (or equivalent) Lead Volunteers
  • County (or equivalent) Volunteering Development Team Leaders

 

Purpose:

Our Safety Advisers provide support and advice on safety. They promote a culture of Safe Scouting, and make sure the Scouts’ Safety Policy is followed in the County.

Tasks:

Promote a culture of Safe Scouting

  • Collaborate with adult volunteers to make sure they understand and follow our Safety Policy, at all levels.
  • Keep up to date with national changes to safety at Scouts using information available (including management information and data, local and national learnings).

Support learning

  • Work with the Volunteering Development Team to make sure members within the County stay up to date on safety advice, guidance and rules.
  • Learn and improve from previous incidents and near misses within the County (including those at Group and District levels).

Give information and advice

  • Offer support across the County to do with safety. This could include providing advice to Trustee Boards, Lead Volunteers, campsite/activity centre managers and wardens and leaders.
  • Make sure everyone understands how to complete a risk assessment.
  • Support anyone organising events for Scouts to make sure they’re run safely and in line with Scouts policies.
  • Assist the local Trustee Boards. This could include reviewing risk assessments, checking how safe external sites are (such as local campsites) and any other tasks which the County Lead Volunteer or County Trustee Board may ask for.

Work with other volunteers

  • Support Group / District / County Lead Volunteers to use tools and our website guidance (such as ‘Safe Scouting premises audit’). Be available to offer help.
  • Work with Group / District / County Lead Volunteers and the District / County Volunteering Development Teams to decide what support and information is needed for volunteers to follow our safety policy.
  • Please note, this role doesn’t get involved in safety cases. These are looked at by the HQ Safety Team with the support of the Safety Lead or District / County Lead Volunteer (if there isn’t a Safety Lead).

Who can have this accreditation:

  • Any full member (except anyone whose only role is Trustee, and any roles that do not have a criminal record check).
  • It’s important to already have some experience and knowledge of safety within Scouts.

This role doesn’t ask for qualifications or external experience in safety, but it may be useful.

What learning is needed:

  • Read and understand the Scouts Safety Policy
  • Attendance at a national induction on Zoom (passcode: P144d@e4).
  • Keep up to date with the required ongoing learning.
  • Keep regular contact with the Safe Scouting team.

Who can give or remove this accreditation:

  • County (or equivalent) Lead Volunteers
  • County (or equivalent) Volunteering Development Team Leaders

Purpose:  

Our Visits Abroad Approvers approve visits abroad.

Tasks:   

  • Approve visits abroad using the visits abroad form.

Who can have this accreditation: 

These tasks can be done by Lead Volunteers (except Group and District Lead Volunteers) as default. Additionally, they can be shared as an accreditation with any full member. 

What learning is needed:  

Read and understand the Visits Abroad Process.

Who can give or remove this accreditation:  

County (or equivalent) / Region / Nation / UKHQ Lead Volunteers