{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022#Why\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#Why\u0022\u003EWhat is the Self-Assessment Tool, and why are we developing it?\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022#Who\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#Who\u0022\u003EVolunteer role with the Self-Assessment tool\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022#Process\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#Process\u0022\u003EProcess overview\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022#Testing\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#Testing\u0022\u003ETesting Overview\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022#TestingAsk\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#TestingAsk\u0022\u003EThe Testing Ask\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022#Getting\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#Getting\u0022\u003EGetting help with testing\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"On this page you\u0027ll find","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022Why\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003EWhat is the Self-Assessment Tool, and why are we developing it?\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"value":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/1222020599?","gridType":"embed","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHow do we make sure we\u2019re Scouting Safely?\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAcross Scouts, thousands of volunteers work incredibly hard to give young people safe, positive and well-run experiences. It\u2019s easy to worry whether we\u2019re doing a good enough job of keeping everyone safe. The Self-Assessment Tool is being developed to help us understand, support and improve how we make sure we\u2019re Scouting safely.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis is not about catching people out. It\u2019s about helping groups, districts and counties/areas/regions, \u00A0their Trustees and volunteers have a clearer picture of how things are working, or where support may be needed, and how confident we can be that Scouts is being delivered safely and well.\u202F\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETrustees have a responsibility to check that the group, district or county/area/region is meeting the right standards. In practice, that requires all of us to work together. \u00A0Different parts of Scouts work in different ways, and this tool will help us all focus on the most important things to make sure we are Scouting safely in a more consistent way.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe tool will focus first on three key areas: Safety, Safeguarding and Local Governance. These are the most important areas to make sure we\u2019re Scouting safely.\u202FWe will only ask questions in the Self-Assessment Tool, if we don\u2019t already have the information through our existing systems. Once we\u2019re sure the Self-Assessment is useful, practical, helpful and covers the right things, we\u2019ll build it into our existing digital tools, so it can give a live view of where we\u2019re doing well, and where we can improve.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOver time, the tool will help us come together on shared and consistent standards, identify development actions, and recognise where things are working well.\u202F\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt will also help provide assurance up through Scouts, giving Trustees and the wider movement better confidence that we are supporting safe, well-governed Scouting.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMost importantly, this is about support, learning and improvement. The aim is to help volunteers, Trustees and groups, districts and counties/areas/regions feel clearer, more confident and better supported in delivering great Scouting for young people.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Open the video transcript"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Self-Assessment Tool is being developed to help Scouts understand how we\u2019re doing, where things are working well, and where extra support may be needed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s not about catching people out. It\u2019s about helping groups, districts and counties/areas/regions, their Trustees and volunteers feel clearer and more confident that Scouting is being delivered safely and well.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe tool will focus first on Safety, Safeguarding and Local Governance, using information we already hold wherever possible.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOver time, it will help build a more consistent picture across Scouts, support learning and improvement, and give Trustees better reassurance that the right standards are being met.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMost importantly, it\u2019s about supporting volunteers to deliver safe, well-run and positive experiences for young people.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThroughout this guidance, \u0022charity\u0022 refers to the relevant Scout charity completing the self-assessment (for example, a Scout Group, District or County/Area/Region).\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EReferences to Trustees, Chairs and Lead Volunteers relate to the leadership and governance arrangements of that Scout charity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022Who\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003EVolunteer role with the Self-Assessment tool\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETrustees should know that the questionnaire is being completed.\u0026nbsp; They can encourage and support the right volunteers to get involved.\u0026nbsp; Trustees can help create the conditions for an honest and useful response, providing evidence and information where relevant.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce the questionnaire has been completed, the chair of Trustees will receive a report that can be shared with the Trustee Board.\u0026nbsp; Find out more about the \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/reassuring-scouting/self-assessment-tool/self-assessment-report-and-action-plan/\u0022 title=\u0022Self-Assessment Report and Action Plan\u0022\u003EReport and Action plan\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDuring testing, the chair will be asked for feedback on this report. This feedback will help us understand whether the report is clear and useful for the Trustee Board oversight.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Trustees"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe self-assessment should be led jointly by the Lead Volunteer and Chair, working in partnership to review the charity\u0027s arrangements, discuss findings and agree any actions required.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELead volunteers and Chair do not have to complete the questionnaire.\u00A0 However, they should make sure it is completed by allocating the task and supporting other volunteers in doing so.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce the questionnaire is complete, the Lead Volunteer and Chair will receive a report and draft action plan.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFind out more about the\u00A0\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/reassuring-scouting/self-assessment-tool/self-assessment-questionnaire/\u0022 title=\u0022Self-Assessment Questionnaire\u0022\u003EQuestionnaire\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFind out more about the \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/reassuring-scouting/self-assessment-tool/self-assessment-report-and-action-plan/\u0022 title=\u0022Self-Assessment Report and Action Plan\u0022\u003EReport and Action plan\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Lead Volunteer and Chair"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EOther volunteers are responsible for completing the questionnaire. This means gathering information, discussing the questions when needed, and choosing the response that best reflects the charity\u2019s current position.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFind out more about the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/reassuring-scouting/self-assessment-tool/self-assessment-questionnaire/\u0022 title=\u0022Self-Assessment Questionnaire\u0022\u003EQuestionnaire\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDuring testing, the person completing the questionnaire will be asked for feedback. This feedback will help us understand whether the questions are clear and identify how to improve them.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Other Volunteers"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022Process\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003EProcess overview\u00A0\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe image below outlines the key stages for using the Self-Assessment Tool.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/rjzbczko/screenshot-2026-09-18-114026.png","width":1061,"height":572,"altText":"Self-Assessment Tool Process","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E*Optional - include in your next Trustees Board for discussion\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022Testing\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003ETesting Overview\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETesting will help us check whether the questions, reports and support materials are clear, useful and practical for charities at different levels.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe aim to involve more than 400 charities from across Scouting, selected to reflect a broad range of charity sizes, locations, and experiences.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf your charity has been randomly selected to take part in the testing, we will email your Lead volunteer and Chair with further details.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe self-assessment tool will be tested in three phases:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPhase 1: Premises Safety, involving approximately 100 Scout charities.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPhase 2: Safeguarding, involving approximately 200 Scout charities.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPhase 3: Local Governance, involving approximately 400 Scout charities.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFeedback from each phase will help us improve the tool and supporting guidance before wider rollout.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EThe \u003Ca id=\u0022TestingAsk\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003ETesting Ask\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"value":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/1225595420?badge=0\u0026amp;autopause=0\u0026amp;player_id=0\u0026amp;app_id=58479%22","gridType":"embed","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThank you for taking part in testing the new Self-Assessment Tool.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYour support is incredibly important. The feedback you provide during testing will help us make sure the questions, reports and guidance are clear, useful and practical for volunteers across Scouts.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce we know what works well, we\u0027ll build this into our digital systems and keep improving the process so it\u0027s simpler, easier and more useful for volunteers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBefore starting, please take a few minutes to review the guidance on the website, including the process flowchart. This explains each stage of the self-assessment process, from identifying who will complete the questions through to receiving the report and agreeing on actions.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u0027re the volunteer completing the questionnaire, start by downloading the question pack. Consider gathering information and recording your responses within the pack before completing the online form.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe questionnaire should reflect what\u0027s actually happening within your charity. Information doesn\u0027t need to be formal or complicated, but it should help explain why you\u0027ve chosen a particular answer.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou may need to speak with other volunteers, review records or gather additional information. If you\u0027re unsure about a question, please discuss it with someone who has the relevant knowledge rather than guessing. Honest answers help us improve the tool and identify genuine opportunities for learning and improvement.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce you\u0027ve worked through all the questions, open the online questionnaire and submit your answers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAfter you\u0027ve completed the questionnaire, we\u0027ll ask you to provide feedback on the questions and overall experience. Your comments will help us understand what\u0027s clear, what needs improving and how we can make the final tool more useful for volunteers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs a Trustees, your role is to support the process and help create the conditions for an honest and useful response.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce the questionnaire is submitted, a report will be generated and shared with key contacts, including the Chair and Lead Volunteer. The report highlights strengths, areas for development and includes a draft action plan.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDuring testing, we\u0027re particularly keen to hear your views on whether the report is clear, useful and supports effective Trustee oversight.\u003Cbr\u003EIf you need help during testing, there\u0027s plenty of support available.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EStart with the guidance available on the website and the information linked alongside relevant questions. You can also speak to volunteers in your Group, District, County, Area or Region.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u0027ll be running regular drop-in sessions throughout the testing period where you can ask questions and get support.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnd if you still need assistance, contact the Reassuring Scouting team who will be happy to help.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Open the video transcript"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThank you for helping us test the new Self-Assessment Tool. Your feedback will help us make sure the questions, guidance and reports are clear, useful and practical for volunteers. Before starting, please review the website guidance and download the question pack. Complete the questionnaire honestly, using information from your charity where needed, then share your feedback.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022Getting\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003EGetting help with testing\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u0027d like support during testing, your local Scouting team may be a good first point of contact. Depending on your role, this could be volunteers in your Group, District, County, Area or Region.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERelevant guidance will be linked alongside the questions to help you complete the questionnaire, and you can also find helpful information on the website.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u0027ll be running regular drop-in sessions throughout the testing period.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you still have questions, email \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:reassuring.scouting@scouts.org.uk\u0022\u003Ereassuring.scouting@scouts.org.uk\u003C/a\u003E, and we\u0027ll be happy to help.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/reassuring-scouting/self-assessment-tool/self-assessment-questionnaire/#\u0022 title=\u0022Self-Assessment Questions\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#\u0022\u003ESelf-Assessment Questionnaire\u003C/a\u003E - Guidance for volunteers completing the questionnaire.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/reassuring-scouting/self-assessment-tool/self-assessment-report-and-action-plan/#\u0022 title=\u0022Self-Assessment Report and Development plan\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#\u0022\u003ESelf-Assessment Report and Action Plan\u003C/a\u003E - Guidance for the report produced by the self-assessment questionnaire and for setting a development plan.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Further Information","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"24 August 2026","reviewDate":"01/01/0001","redirectUrl":"","id":90848,"nodeName":"Self-Assessment Tool","title":"Self-Assessment Tool","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Self-Assessment Tool","headerSubTitle":"Information about the Self-Assessment tool and guidance for trustees and volunteers using it","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"subHeader":"","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC85MDg0OCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/reassuring-scouting/self-assessment-tool/"}