How Derwentside District works

Our district improvement and operating model

Derwentside District supports local scout groups to deliver great, safe and inclusive scouting for young people across our district.

Scouting is delivered by volunteers, with programme delivery led locally by Scout Groups.

Young people help shape their scouting experience, while adult volunteers are responsible for leadership, safeguarding, safety, governance and compliance.

Each scout group in Derwentside is an independent charity, run locally by its volunteers and trustees, in line with the rules and policies of The Scout Association.

Our approach

Derwentside District operates an enablement-based improvement model.

Rather than centralising delivery, the district focuses on:

• supporting groups to deliver high-quality scouting locally

• enabling collaboration and the sharing of good practice

• maintaining strong safeguarding, safety, governance and compliance

• ensuring opportunities are fair, inclusive and accessible across the District

Different districts work in different ways depending on size, capacity and local context. This model reflects what works best for Derwentside.

District teams and leadership

The work of the district is delivered through:

• the District Leadership Team

• the District Trustee Board

• functional teams

Together, these teams provide leadership, co-ordination and assurance to support group-led delivery and a strong district-wide volunteering culture.

The District Trustee Board provides governance oversight and assurance and does not direct day-to-day delivery, which remains the responsibility of the District Lead Volunteer and volunteer teams, in line with Policy, Organisation and Rules.

Roles and responsibilities

Scout groups and their leaders:

• organise and deliver their own programmes

• plan activities and decide how and when they take place

• remain responsible for delivery to their young people

• are encouraged to collaborate with other groups where this adds value

The district:

• enables and supports groups

• provides shared resources, systems, processes and guidance

• encourages collaboration and the sharing of good practice

• maintains oversight of safeguarding, safety, governance, data protection and compliance

The district provides support, resources and assurance, while groups remain responsible for organising and delivering activities for their young people.

What the district provides

To support groups and volunteers, the district provides:

• safeguarding, safety, governance and compliance assurance

• advice, guidance and signposting for volunteers

• shared digital systems to support communication, collaboration and efficiency

• arrangements to manage data protection responsibilities

• shared programme resources, including:

  • • archery and air rifle facilities

    • powerboating

    • qualified instructors where groups do not have their own and capacity allows

    • a district minibus

• subsidised access to district programme resources to promote fairness and inclusion

These shared resources help manage risk appropriately, reduce duplication, and give young people access to activities that individual groups may not be able to offer on their own.

Activities, collaboration and communities of practice

Groups and section leaders:

• plan and organise activities for their own young people

• may invite other groups to join activities they are running

• are encouraged to collaborate directly with other groups

The district supports collaboration by providing resources, expertise and advice.

Through the provision of communication and collaboration tools, the district enables leaders to connect, share practice and form communities of practice across the district. These are typically volunteer-led and supported by the district, rather than centrally organised.

From time to time, volunteers may wish to organise activities  open to multiple groups across the district.

Volunteers are welcome to put forward proposals and take the lead in organising these activities.

The district can support district-level activities by providing advice, resources, instructor support and assurance, subject to capacity, safety and compliance requirements.

Organisation and delivery remain led by the volunteers running the activity.

Support, assurance and intervention

The district keeps an overview of how scouting operates across Derwentside and works to ensure young people and volunteers are supported and safe.

Where groups need additional help, the district provides targeted, constructive support.

Where there are concerns relating to safeguarding, safety, conduct, compliance or governance, the district has a responsibility to intervene appropriately and may involve County support where necessary, in line with Scouting rules and policies.

Support and intervention are proportionate to need, evidence-based and focused on maintaining safe, well-governed and sustainable scouting.

Youth voice and opportunity

Young people are central to scouting.

The district listens to youth voice and uses it to:

• inform decisions

• widen access to activities

• remove barriers to participation

• improve the overall Scouting experience

Groups lead delivery; the District’s role is to ensure opportunity exists.

Our volunteering culture

We aim to create a positive, respectful and supportive volunteering culture.

Volunteers are encouraged to:

• take responsibility for organising activities for their young people

• make use of the tools and support available

• work collaboratively with others across the district

• raise concerns through appropriate channels

• treat fellow volunteers with respect

 In summary

• Scouting is delivered by volunteers, with programme delivery led locally by Scout Groups

• Groups organise and deliver scouting locally

• The district enables improvement through shared support and assurance

• Collaboration and communities of practice are enabled, not mandated

• Intervention happens where risk exists or support is needed

• Young people benefit from more opportunity, choice and access

If you would like to know more, need support, or want to get involved, please get in touch. We are here to help make great Scouting happen across Derwentside.