Getting started
To start your joining journey, your Group Lead Volunteer (GLV) or your Team Leader will add you to the membership system
They’ll need your full name, email address, date of birth and postcode. This starts the clock on your 30-day mandatory training window.
Within 30 days of the start of your joining journey
Log on to the Scout Membership system and sign the Declaration
You’ll receive a welcome email. Follow the link to set up your account, read and tick the declaration, and complete your profile — including contact details, references, ethnicity, and gender. Link here membership.scouts.org.uk
Apply for a criminal record check (DBS)
Your Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check must be started within 30 days. The process runs in parallel with your learning. These are the steps involved.
- Once triggered, the Membership System automatically sends you an email with a link to the DBS application. Check your spam folder if you don’t see it within a few hours.
- Complete the DBS information online. Follow the link in the email to fill in your DBS information. You’ll need your address history for the past five years, details of any name changes, and three forms of ID. These are usually a passport, driving licence, and birth or marriage certificate, but many other options are accepted — typically at least one document showing your current address. Once done, notify your GLV or Team Leader.
- Your ID information is verified by a DBS administrator. Follow the link in the email to fill in your DBS information. You’ll need your address history for the past five years, details of any name changes, and three forms of ID. These are usually a passport, driving licence, and birth or marriage certificate, but many other options are accepted — typically at least one document showing your current address. Once done, notify your GLV or Team Leader.
- DBS checked processed. Once submitted and verified, the DBS check is processed nationally. This normally takes between one week and ten days but can take longer.
- You will receive notification when the DBS check is complete and your record in the Membership System will be updated automatically.
Growing roots Learning – Safety
Essential training covering how to keep young people safe. Must be completed within 30 days of joining and renewed every three years. Link here Safety (you will need to log in via the membership system)
Growing roots Learning – Safeguarding
Covers the essentials of keeping activities safe. Must be completed within 30 days of joining and renewed every three years. Link here Safeguarding (you will need to log in via the membership system)
Within 6 weeks
Welcome conversation
A friendly chat with two existing volunteers — a chance to talk about your role, ask questions, and make sure you feel settled and supported. This isn’t a test; it’s part of how we welcome people properly.
Your Group Leader or Team Leader should contact you to arrange a Welcome conversation. If not, contact them.!
Internal check
Scouts UK Headquarters (UKHQ) check internal records, the outcomes of a criminal record check and current membership status. Then they’ll complete a risk assessment.
No action is necessary by the volunteer at this point.
References
Two references are required for each new volunteer.
Detailed steps on how to add referees can be found here
Referees need to: be
- aged 18 or over
- know about the volunteer’s work or contact with young people and
- be able to comment on their character and relationships with others
At least one referee
- should have known the volunteer for at least 5 years
- must be from outside Scouts
Within 6 months
Learning module – Data protection in Scouts
What data protection and personal data is
How to gather personal data in Scouts
How to use, share and store personal data in Scouts
How to securely delete or archive personal data
How to respond to a data breach or subject access request
Learning module – Creating inclusion
How to challenge assumptions
Practical ways to be more inclusive in everything we do
How to respond when people need reasonable adjustments
How to challenge discrimination
Learning module – Who we are and what we do
At Scouts, we work together towards a shared goal, which is to help young people develop skills for life. We need all our volunteers’ help to do this, so we want to make sure you understand how Scouts works and what support is available to you.
Learning module – Delivering a great programme
What the Scout Method is and how we create impact
How to involve young people and be youth shaped
How to promote positive behaviour when working with young people
How to plan and run safe and exciting programmes, so young people can achieve their top awards
How to work with the parents and carers of our young people.
Learning module -Leading Scout Volunteers (for Group Lead Volunteers)
How to adapt your leadership style
How the Scouts approach to Teams works
How to welcome new volunteers
How to run good reviews with volunteers, and how to recognise them for their work
How to have constructive conversations
How to carry out your responsibilities for permit approvals, activity approvals, and suspensions
How to lead on inclusive growth
Learning module – Being a trustee in Scouts (for Trustees)
If you are a member of the Trustee board, you need to do this training – just once.
Within 12 months (as early as possible)
First Response
First aid training for Scouts volunteers. You can complete this online or via a face-to-face course.
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