Here’s a handy illustration which explains the steps new volunteers take to become a full member:
When new volunteers first join Scouts, their Team Leader or Lead Volunteer will be in touch regularly in the first few weeks. They’ll explain how Scouts works, discuss the time the new volunteer has available, agree on tasks, share the safe scouting cards, and outline the learning they’ll need to complete. All new volunteers also have to complete key vetting and safeguarding checks.
Our digital tools support volunteers, tracking their progress and showing the steps to be completed.
Read on for more information on the steps to become a full member.
Criminal record checks
The criminal record check (where required) must be started within 30 days of joining in England and Wales, and 60 days of joining in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In England and Wales, we use a mobile friendly self-service criminal record check process through Atlantic Data.
Please note, we don’t use the Disclosure Update Service. This means new volunteers will have to complete a criminal record check even if they’ve already completed one for another organisation.
For Scotland, Northern Ireland, British Scouting Overseas and Branches, we have improved the criminal record check process, which is now managed within the membership system.
References
References are used to keep young people safe and check all volunteers are right for Scouts. References must be requested within 6 weeks of joining.
Getting references is straightforward with our digital tools. You just enter your referee information, click submit and they’ll be contacted and asked to respond. Referees can respond directly and references with no comments or issues will be approved automatically. Any issues flagged by references received will be reviewed locally.
Referees should ideally know about the volunteer’s work or contact with young people, and be able to comment on their character and relationships with others. Referees must not be relatives. At least one referee must have known the volunteer for at least five years. One referee must not be from the Scouts.
Welcome conversation
In the first six weeks of joining Scouts, the volunteer will attend a Welcome Conversation with their Team Leader and a volunteer who has the Welcome Conversation Volunteer accreditation.
It’s an opportunity for new volunteers to introduce themselves and their interests, and for current volunteers to make sure they understand and commit to our values, and how we keep young people safe.
Internal check
Scouts UK Headquarters (UKHQ) automatically check new volunteers against our internal records to make sure there’s nothing that would prevent them from becoming full members.
This process is quick, and both new volunteers and Team Leaders can view any restrictions applied to someone’s membership by UKHQ on our digital system.
Declarations
When volunteers join, they’ll be asked to accept a declaration committing them to uphold Scout values, follow Scout policies and complete the required learning.
Charity trustees in the UK must also complete an eligibility declaration form saying they’re eligible to be a Trustee.
New volunteers are only asked to accept the declaration relevant to their role and responsibilities.
Growing Roots learning
New volunteers need to complete their Safety and Safeguarding learning within the first 30 days of joining. This is important so volunteers understand how to keep young people safe in Scouts.
New volunteers, or volunteers starting a new type of role, need to complete their remaining Growing Roots Learning within six months of joining.