Special Groups

(Scouting for people in hospital or with severe disabilities) 

4.9.5.1 A special provision may be developed to enable young people with a shared protected characteristic to access Scouting e.g. in a hospice or hospital. Special provisions can be used where it is not possible or appropriate for a young person to access mainstream Scouting 

4.9.5.2 Operations which do not follow the standard age range of sections must be approved by the District Commissioner in consultation with those providing special scouting provision e.g. hospice. Age range flexibility should meet the required standards outlined in Rule 4.6.7. 

4.9.5.3 Youth membership is acquired through making the Promise at an investiture ceremony. The Promise needs to be meaningful for each member and flexibility in expressing the Promise may be required to meet the needs of the individual. 

4.9.5.4 Members may wear the uniform of the appropriate section to which they belong. 

4.9.5.5 The Gateway Award, as an alternative to the DofE Award, may be achieved following the successful completion of the Gateway Award programme.  The cloth badge is worn on the upper left arm.  

4.9.5.6 Further guidance on the formation and operation of Special Groups is available from UK Headquarters.