The Scout Association uses Compass to process all disclosure checks for adult volunteers in England and Wales.
Many roles in Scouting can process a new volunteer's disclosure check on Compass.
View the user guide for requesting a disclosure check on Compass for more information. This user guide can also be found with all other Compass user guides on www.scouts.org.uk/compass
The ID Checking Form, for use offline can be found here.
The Privacy Policy of The Scout Association can be found here.
Guidance for the storing and destroying of adult appointment forms (FS310610) can be found here.
The Statement of Fair Processing can be downloaded here.
The Secure Storage and Handling guidance can be downloaded here.
For specific concerns, contact the Scout Information Centre on info.centre@scout.org.uk or 0845 300 1818.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formally known as the CRB) now offer an ‘Update Service’, which allows a status check of criminal records disclosures between organisations.
The Scout Association has worked with the DBS to understand if their Update Service can work for volunteers wishing to join Scouting, based on the level of disclosure required by us. Currently we have no plans to take part in the Update Service and any members joining The Scout Association will need to do a separate DBS check to comply with the level of check required.
This decision has been taken for the following reasons:
Getting the right level of DBS check for Scouting
Additional administration
Costs for the individual
We will be monitoring how the Update Service works for those organisations that do use it and welcome feedback from members who make use of the scheme in other sectors and will be raising the need for a more effective system with the government at every opportunity.