Child Protection Policy
It is the policy of The Scout Association to safeguard the welfare of all Members by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm.
The Scout Association is committed to:
- taking into account in all its considerations and activities the interests and well-being of young people;
- respecting the rights, wishes and feelings of the young people with whom it is working;
- taking all, practicable steps to protect them from physical, sexual and emotional abuse; and
- promoting the welfare of young people and their protection within a relationship of trust.

Equal Opportunities
'Equal Opportunities' is often thought of as a recent phenomenon, but the principle of equality of opportunity is a fundamental part of Scouting. The World Scout Movement, which unites people in 218 countries, is a testament to Baden-Powell's vision that Scouting could enable 'friendship ... with one another irrespective of class or creed or country'.
The Scout Association is not open to an adult, or indeed to a young person, without question. There are legitimate grounds for exclusion (such as an adult who positively proclaims atheism as a way of life), and there are some grounds on which it is always illegitimate to provide less favourable treatment (such as a person's gender or ethnic origin). Scouting exists for young people and to promote their development through the Scout Method. Our aim is to make Scouting genuinely accessible to them. Leaders and other Volunteers are in the Movement primarily to serve young people, not for the benefits that Scouting brings to themselves.