Service Agreement

This is the latest version of the service agreement. The following previous versions of the service agreement are also available: 2022, 2020.

Introduction

The King's Scout Working Party (KSWP) is a National Scout Active Support Unit (the unit) that supports the Scouts with the running of major national Scouting events, and acts as ambassadors for the Top Awards (with a particular focus on those for Explorers and Scout Network).

This service agreement is a living document, subject to change / review (at least every 3 years) by the NSASU manager and the Assistant UK Commissioner for Programme (Scout Active Support).

It outlines the purpose of and active support provided by the unit to the Scouts at a national level.

Unit Requirements

The following are applicable to all NSASU's:

Management Requirements

The following are applicable to all NSASU's:

  • The unit will be led by a National Scout Active Support Unit Manager (POR 6.15.1.6)
    • The NSASU manager is responsible for ensuring that the unit meets the requirements of this service agreement (POR 6.15.1.6)
    • The NSASU manager will be appointed by the HQ appointments committee after selection in a manner to be agreed with the Assistant UK Commissioner for Programme (Scout Active Support)
    • The manager must have completed or be working towards completion of the relevant management training wood badge
  • The NSASU manager may appoint a deputy manager to assist with the running of the unit, this appointment must be ratified by the HQ appointments committee
  • One or more National Scout Active Support Co-ordinators may be appointed to assist in the running of the Unit (POR 6.15.1.6)
    • The role of co-ordinators should be identified by the NSASU Manager
    • The selection and appointment of NSASU co-ordinators can be made at a unit level
  • The annual census for a NSASU must be completed and submitted each year (POR 6.15.1.10.c)
  • The unit will be responsible for its own funding and accounts, which will run 1st April - 31st March each year
  • Annual accounts for a NSASU must be submitted to UK Headquarters no later than 1st June each year (POR 6.15.1.10.d)

The following are specific to the unit:

  • The KSWP Manager has overall control of the KSWP operation, with the assistance of 3 Scout Active Support coordinators (covering Membership, Finance and Events respectively)
  • The coordinator roles last for 3 years, and are appointed by the KSWP members at the AGM of the KSWP
  • Additional ex-officio roles may be appointed by the KSWP manager or at the KSWP AGM as required, for instance a social media coordinator

Membership Requirements

The following are applicable to all NSASU's:

  • All members of the unit must be registered as members of the Scouts and recorded on Compass as Country Scout Active Support Members in the unit
  • All members must have satisfactorily completed a Personal Enquiry (POR 16.15.1.7)
  • All members must have completed or be working towards completing the following minimum training requirements:
    • Essential Information (Module 1)
    • General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
    • Safeguarding
    • Safety

The following are specific to the unit:

  • Members must hold the UK Queen's Scout Award or UK King's Scout Award
  • Members must pay an annual membership fee, currently set at £5. Any members struggling to pay this may contact the Finance Coordinator or Manager in confidence to discuss a reduction or waiver.
  • Members should attend a minimum of two non-social KSWP events per year. Any members struggling to meet this requirement may contact the Events Coordinator or Manager in confidence to discuss the situation.
  • Members may leave the KSWP and re-join at a future date as long as other membership requirements are met
  • Former members may request to stay in touch with the KSWP, and may be invited to social events on a per-event basis where capacity and rules allow

Service Provision

  • The KSWP will act as ambassadors for the Top Awards, in particular at events at a County, Regional or National level (for example, celebration events or top award conferences). In addition, members are encouraged to support their County, District and group(s) in achieving the Top Awards.
  • The KSWP will make its members available to act as mentors as part of the Scouts of the World Award
  • The KSWP will endeavour to support all major national Scouting events, and make itself available where possible to support any other events as requested by The Scouts. These major national Scouting events may include:
    • Day of Celebration and Achievement (Windsor)
    • Gilwell Reunion
    • National Remembrance Day events
    • Thanksgiving
    • State Opening of Parliament (and other State occasions)
  • The KSWP may choose to limit which members are eligible to attend an event on a per-event basis, where there is reasonable justification to do so.

    Justifications for limiting event eligibility may include:
    • Requests or requirements placed on attendance by the event organisers
    • High profile events and/or public events where the desired image to be portrayed is representative of our youth movement
    • Over-subscribed events where we have more wishing to attend than required for the event
    • Scout Network events where younger members should be attending as participants

    Criteria used to limit event eligibility may include:
    • Those who are Network age
    • Those who are over Network age
    • Those who have attained there KSA recently
    • Those who have made an effort to support previous lower profile or less well attended events
    • Those who have demonstrated their reliability and suitability at previous events (bearing in mind the need to give new members the opportunity to demonstrate these)
    • Those who have certain skills or experience

Support Provided (to the unit)

  • The Assistant UK Commissioner for Programme (Scout Active Support) will agree and review the service agreement on a regular basis (maximum 3 years)
  • The Assistant UK Commissioner for Programme (Scout Active Support) will maintain effective liaison between Headquarters and the unit
  • The Scouts will provide resources to support the KSWP in the promotion of the Top Awards; for example, banners and leaflets
  • The Scouts will keep members of the KSWP up to date with any changes to the Top Awards through the KSWP Manager, who will disseminate the information to members. This will ensure that the KSWP has the latest information available when supporting the awards.
  • The Scouts will keep the KSWP informed of new opportunities and events which it would be appropriate for the KSWP to support

Ongoing Development

The KSWP will look to expand the events it supports, particularly in under represented regions, with support of The Scouts.

Agreement

Signed on behalf of the KSWP by James Baker (KSWP Manager)
Date: 2023-04-22

Signed on behalf of The Scouts by Lewis Dangerfield (UK Commissioner for Programme)
Date: 2023-04-22

Review Date: April 2026