{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"boxOut","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003ERead through our guide for approvers to learn more about approving Census returns\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW120731755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW120731755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW120731755 BCX0\u0022\u003EGroup Lead Volunteers approve their sections, and the Group is approved by the District Lead Volunteer. The Group can\u2019t be approved until the Group\u2019s section returns have been approved by the Group Lead Volunteer; or the section has been closed.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW120731755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW120731755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW120731755 BCX0\u0022\u003EThe District 14 \u2013 24 Team Leader approves Explorer Scout Units returns, and the District return is approved by County/Area/Region (Scotland) Lead Volunteer. The District return cannot be approved until all of the Groups within the District and any Explorer and Network returns have been approved.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW120731755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW120731755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW120731755 BCX0\u0022\u003ECounty/Area/Region Scotland section returns are approved at this level and are themselves approved at Country or Region (England) level as appropriate. The County/Area/Region return cannot be approved until all of the Districts within the County/Area/Region returns have been approved.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","label":"Who approves a return?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW97904533 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW97904533 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW97904533 BCX0\u0022\u003EOnce you\u2019re happy that the return is correct, use the buttons at the bottom the page. If you wish to approve the page, select \u2018These figures are confirmed as final\u2019 and click the \u0027Save Changes\u0027 button. There\u2019s validation on certain elements on each return and the return can\u2019t be approved until all validation is passed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022SCXW97904533 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr class=\u0022SCXW97904533 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022SCXW97904533 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr class=\u0022SCXW97904533 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW97904533 BCX0\u0022\u003EThis year we have also added some warnings on the \u0022prefer not to say\u0022 option to help you spot returns that may need additional checking.\u202F\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW97904533 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW97904533 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW97904533 BCX0\u0022\u003EPlease take care to check your data before submitting and approving a return. Once a return is approved the numbers will be considered final and will only be reopened in exceptional circumstances.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","label":"How do I approve a return?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003EWhen you click on the section you wish to close, below the links to \u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022TextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022 lang=\u0022EN-GB\u0022 data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2018\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003EView\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022TextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022 lang=\u0022EN-GB\u0022 data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E and \u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022TextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022 lang=\u0022EN-GB\u0022 data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2018\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003EEdit Return\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022TextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022 lang=\u0022EN-GB\u0022 data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E, there\u2019s a heading called \u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022TextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022 lang=\u0022EN-GB\u0022 data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2018\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003EStatus of Census Return\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022TextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022 lang=\u0022EN-GB\u0022 data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E. There\u2019s a drop-down box here which allows you to change the status from \u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022TextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022 lang=\u0022EN-GB\u0022 data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2018\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003EUnapproved\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022TextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022 lang=\u0022EN-GB\u0022 data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E to \u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022TextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022 lang=\u0022EN-GB\u0022 data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2018\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003EClosed\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022TextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022 lang=\u0022EN-GB\u0022 data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E. Please note that this isn\u2019t available if there\u2019s any data in the section return.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003EClosing a Group is done in the same manner but isn\u2019t possible if there\u2019s any data in the Group or any of the section returns for that Group. Please note that the status \u2018Closed\u2019 means that the section or Group is no longer active. This status should be used if there are no members in that section or Group. If a section or Group is marked as closed, please make sure it\u2019s closed on the membership system as well.\u202F\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/contact-us/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 class=\u0022Hyperlink HyperlinkGateOff SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022 data-ccp-charstyle=\u0022Hyperlink\u0022\u003EThe Scout Support Centre\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW240545905 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u202Fcan help you with this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","label":"How do I close a section or Group?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003EOn the Census it is possible for people to declare their member\u2019s gender, religion, ethnicity and disabilities as either \u0027self describe\u0027 or \u0027prefer not to say\u0027.\u202F\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003EThese categories were added because\u202Fwe positively recognise all genders, ethnicities, religions\u202Fand disabilities, and we are aiming to better understand and serve our diverse membership.\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003EIf a return you need to approve has many members who have been entered as \u0027self describe\u0027 or \u0027prefer not to say\u0027 (we have added some visual warnings to highlight this on the return) you should speak to the person that completed the return to understand how they got this information, and make sure they have not used these categories for speed or convenience.\u202F\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003EWe should not make assumptions about our members, and these fields should only be used where this information is known because it\u2019s been volunteered to the person completing the return, or it\u2019s been asked in an anonymous way.\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003EIf there are concerns about the sensitivity of this information, please remind people that all of the data collected is anonymised.\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003EIf adults need support with these\u202Fquestions please refer them to the individual Census report guides, and to the \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/census/census-downloads/\u0022 title=\u0022Census Downloads\u0022\u003Edownloads page\u003C/a\u003E where they will find template forms they can use with their members.\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW163532881 BCX0\u0022\u003EIf you are still unsure, please raise your concerns with your line manager.\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","label":"All or most members have been declared with \u0027prefer not to say\u0027"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp style=\u0022margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;\u0022\u003EIt can be tricky to have difficult conversations, especially on sensitive topics, and challenging another volunteers Census return could cause some strong feelings between volunteers. There is guidance on the website about \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/constructive-conversations/\u0022 title=\u0022Constructive conversations\u0022\u003Eholding constructive conversations\u003C/a\u003E that we recommend reading before approaching another volunteer about issues with their Census return.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp style=\u0022margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp style=\u0022margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;\u0022\u003EIt\u0027s important to remember \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/census/\u0022 title=\u0022Census\u0022\u003Ewhy we hold the Census\u003C/a\u003E when forming the reasons and goals for the conversation, and to approach things positively and from a supportive position.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Talking to other volunteers about their Census return"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom census 2026, the adult data included on each census return is taken from My Membership and cannot be updated directly on each return.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe data that is included on each return represents a snapshot of the information held on the membership system shortly before the census site opened in early December and is included to provide an indication of the number of volunteers that hold a role within each unit.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs the information cannot be updated directly on the census site, volunteers that complete and approve census returns are asked to use the information provided to check and ensure that the data held on My Membership is up to date.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis will ensure that when the final snapshot of data taken from My Membership on 31 January 2026 is the most accurate picture possible of our adult volunteers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe final adult membership data will be provided shortly after all returns have been completed, approved and data analysis has taken place.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Approving adult data in the census return"}]}]},{"items":[{"type":"Promo","cta":"Back to census home","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EBack to the census home where you can find guides for specific census returns.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Census","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/census/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Census home","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":{"boxoutposition":null}}]},"searchDescription":"","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"15 July 2023","reviewDate":"13/01/2020","redirectUrl":"","id":47258,"nodeName":"Help for approvers","title":"Help for approvers","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Help for approvers","headerSubTitle":"","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Sign in to Census","url":"https://census.scouts.org.uk/","newWindow":true}]},"subHeader":"","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NzI1OCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-things-locally/census/help-for-approvers/"}