Join Our BSO Inclusion Team: Help Us Build a More Inclusive Scouting Experience
In line with The Scouts’ Equal Opportunities Policy, British Scouting Overseas (BSO) is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every member feels valued, supported, and connected. We are excited to announce the formation of the BSO Inclusion Team, which will play a pivotal role in developing and promoting our inclusivity initiatives. This team will collaborate virtually across districts and groups to enhance our practices and ensure that inclusivity is woven into the fabric of our activities.
Aims of the BSO Inclusion Team:
- Develop and Enhance Inclusion Strategies: Champion BSO’s inclusive ethos, ensuring it permeates every aspect across all levels from Area teams to individual Group sections.
- Ensure Accessibility: Work closely with Area and District teams to ensure that all our communications, both internal and external, are accessible to everyone and promote inclusivity through our online platforms.
- Support Districts in Their Inclusivity Goals: Help districts achieve their inclusivity goals, focusing on diversity, equity, additional needs, and creating an inclusive environment for all.
- Stay Abreast of Best Practices: Liaise with The Scouts and other bodies to adopt and implement the best practices in inclusivity.
- Resource Development: Promote existing resources or develop bespoke resources that aid in delivering a fully inclusive Scouting experience, including resources for members with special educational needs.
We are looking for:
We welcome anyone inside or outside of BSO with a passion for inclusivity and a commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment. We are especially looking for:
- Diverse expertise: Individuals with expertise in areas such as additional needs, LGBTQIA+, faiths and beliefs, race, disabilities, and those experienced in supporting individuals with special educational needs.
- Effective communicators: Members who can effectively communicate across various platforms and to different audiences.
- Collaborators: Those ready to work in partnership across teams to foster inclusivity.
- District representation: We will be seeking at least one representative from each of our four Districts.
Specific roles include:
- Special educational needs (SEN) advisor: Focus on integrating SEN best practices and providing support and guidance to BSO Scout groups.
- Disabilities specialist: Support and advocate for members with physical and mental disabilities, ensuring they receive the necessary adjustments and resources.
- LGBTQIA+ inclusion specialist: Promote LGBTQIA+ inclusion while being sensitive to cultural and religious differences within various BSO locations.
- Faiths and beliefs coordinator: Develop relationships with multi-faith groups and promote understanding and celebration of diverse faiths and beliefs.
- Race equity advocate: Support and advance race equity initiatives within BSO, ensuring all members feel included and respected.
- Equity and diversity representative: Work on overcoming barriers and supporting districts to face challenges related to equity and diversity.
Join us in making a significant impact by fostering an inclusive environment within British Scouting Overseas. Together, we can ensure that every member feels welcomed, respected, and valued.
How to Apply:
If you are motivated to help shape an inclusive future for all our members and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive within BSO, we encourage you to apply. We are committed to making our application process accessible to all applicants, including those with additional needs. If you require the application in a different format or need any adjustments made, please contact debbie.phillips@britishscoutingoverseas.org.uk
Please fill out the online application form available here: BSO Inclusion Team Application. Roles within the inclusion team will remain open and there is no application deadline. This is an Area-level Advisor role. We expect all applicants to actively participate in the team meetings/discussions.
Join Us:
This is your opportunity to influence and transform BSO’s membership profoundly. As a member of the BSO Inclusion Team, you will be instrumental in ensuring that inclusivity is not just a policy, but a reality in every aspect of our Scouting experience.
We look forward to your contributions and to building a more inclusive British Scouting Overseas together. Applications are invited from anyone, and we are eager to see the unique perspectives you can bring to our team.
Data Protection Transparency: We guarantee the confidentiality of your information. For details on how we handle your data, please review the BSO Privacy Policy.
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Thanks for your interest in becoming the next British Scouting Overseas (BSO) Youth Lead. This role is about opening doors, lifting voices, and shaping a movement that puts young people at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’ve been in Scouts for years or you’re brand new to it, if you’re passionate about helping young people influence decisions and lead change, this might be the challenge you’ve been waiting for. What is the BSO Youth Lead? The BSO Youth Lead makes sure young people are meaningfully involved in shaping Scouts at every level - from local decision‑making to BSO strategy. You’ll work closely with the BSO Lead Volunteer, the BSO Chair and the Trustee Board to champion youth voice, bring new perspectives into key discussions, and support young people across BSO to influence the movement. Your leadership will help ensure that young people feel heard, respected and empowered, and that their ideas directly contribute to the direction of Scouts Purpose of the role This role exists to embed youth leadership in every part of Scouts. You’ll help young people shape programmes, policies and projects, while also supporting volunteers and staff to involve young people meaningfully in their work. You’ll: Bring youth perspectives into national decisions and conversations. Support and coordinate Youth Leads across BSO to strengthen youth shaped Scouting locally. Lead the BSO Youth Team (District Youth Leads and teams), guiding youth engagement, forums and initiatives across BSO. Support the District Youth Leads across BSO, including bringing them together regularly to collaborate, share ideas and work towards shared goals. In everything you do, you’ll champion the simple belief that young people deserve a meaningful say in shaping their own experiences. Who you’ll work with & support you’ll receive The BSO Youth Lead works in partnership with the Area Lead Volunteer. You will be supported by: The BSO Leadership team The UK Scouts Youth Team Other Youth Leads across the UK and Overseas You'll also be part of our BSO Leadership Team
British Scouting Overseas wants to appoint two trustees, to serve for an initial term of three years, starting in September 2026. Our trustee board provides collective leadership and oversight of the charity, in support of our volunteers who deliver our programme to young people around the world. Trustees may be of any nationality and live in any part of the world – the only condition is that you are willing and able to carry out the duties of a trustee and to bring a constructive and independent-minded approach to the role. The main requirement is a commitment to Scout values and willingness to do the best you can to help the Board carry out their role. It’s a bonus if you can bring some personal skills or experience in a particular area, such as any of the following: Administration and meeting management Data protection - policy and practice Development planning in a voluntary group Finance and budgeting - oversight Governance Media and public affairs Risk management - policy and practice Safety - policy and practice We are also keen to include young adults (for example, under twenty fives). The role of trustee is a volunteer one, but reasonable authorised expenses may be claimed. Trustees serve for three year terms, up to a maximum of nine years, after which they must stand down. Trustees may only be appointed if they are not disqualified under UK law from being a trustee of a registered charity. Successful candidates will be required to sign a statement confirming that they are not disqualified. There is some mandatory online learning for our trustees. The Board meets four times a year, plus the annual general meeting. There are additional ad hoc meetings from time to time. Meetings are usually held online via Microsoft Teams. Appointment requirements Hold or obtain membership of The Scout Association in accordance with appointment requirements Complete The Scouts Joining Journey and membership declaration. Follow our code of conduct for members of the BSO Board Communicate with purpose and efficiency Always act with integrity and in the best interests of the charity Champion our vision, mission and values Accept the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a Trustee and adhere to the ethical standards outlined in the Nolan principles: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership Take on training and development that will help you in your role Responsible to Area Chair and British Scouting Overseas Scout Council Main tasks and responsibilities To be a full and active participant in Trustee Board meetings and activities To uphold the responsibilities of a Trustee Board as outlined in The Scout Association’s Policy Organisation and Rules Contribute to the strategic aims and future development of the Area An understanding of their own role, and the role of others on the Trustee Board A commitment to understanding and forming opinions on the key discussion points and responsibilities of the Trustee Board Willingness to complete various tasks which support the work of the Trustee Board and the aims of the Area Skills for a trustee Ability to work as part of a team Strong communication skills Able to think creatively and solve problems Able to handle and resolve conflict effectively Willing to speak one’s mind and listen to the views of others Able to maintain independent and objective judgement Willing to actively design and contribute to the strategic vision of the Area W illingness to take decisions which will further the work of the Area Willingness and eligibility to act as a charity trustee for the Area Time commitment The estimated time commitment is: 4 Board meetings a year 1 AGM Other commitments as required to fulfil the role Meetings are normally online using Microsoft Teams About BSO BSO is a part of the UK Scout Association with headquarters in Gilwell Park, London. BSO members have access to the same resources, support and programme as UK based Scout groups. BSO exists to support British families living overseas in the provision of a UK Scouting programme to expatriate British children and to several British Overseas Territories. We aim to ensure that all our members have the opportunity to feel and experience high quality UK Scouting whilst providing support and advice to adult members no matter where they are in the world. BSO undertakes Scouting activities in a safe and secure environment with flexibility to adapt to both local customs and guidelines set out within The Scout Association's policies and rules. BSO operates 60 Scout Groups, 25 Explorer Units and 3 Scout Networks, with an impressive 3,138 young people supported by 1473 adult volunteer leaders across 29 countries around the world. Whilst most adult volunteer members are delivering programme activities with our young people, many volunteers are also based in the UK offering support, training, mentoring, governance and resources in a variety of different roles from trustee to marketing and event support to skills assessors. BSO is fully inclusive and open to all who share our fundamental values. BSO exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
