All adults must follow the Yellow Card Code of Conduct. Currently, the Yellow Card asks volunteers to report concerns to their Group Scout Leader or District Commissioner.

We’re making some changes to our Yellow Card. From 1 January 2024, the new requirement is for everyone to report any concern directly to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team. This makes sure that we’re aware of concerns as soon as possible and can put measures in place to minimise risks to children, young people and adults at risk.

A safeguarding concern could be about:

• A breach of the Yellow Card or Green Card
• Police or statutory agency involvement regarding a member
• A welfare concern
• Suspicions that a child could be at risk of harm

You must report all safeguarding concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team as soon as possible (always within 24 hours), whether you are told about them directly or indirectly. If you are not sure what to do, or you are not sure if a concern has been reported, contact the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

The UK HQ Safeguarding team will be on hand to provide you with advice, support and guidance from the moment you report a concern. If you inform another member about the concern, then both individuals must then report direct to the UK HQ Safeguarding team.

This applies to all concerns, no matter how insignificant they might seem or when they happened or whether they happened inside or outside of Scouts.

If a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm call 999 or 112 and ask for the police. Tell the UK HQ Safeguarding Team you have done this.

You can also call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or email them at help@nspcc.org.uk.

Another change we’re making to the Yellow Card is that anyone reporting a concern who has a personal relationship or family connection with those involved needs to step back from the situation and inform the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

If you have a query regarding an existing safeguarding concern, please contact the Safeguarding Officer or Manager via their direct dial and/or email.