1st Lindfield Scouts Admissions Policy - April 2025
1st Lindfield Scout Group is a popular and successful group, and most of our sections usually operate at full capacity. We manage admissions to ensure that each section has a spread of ages, and to ensure that anyone who joins the group will be able to move up to the next section when they reach the appropriate age. The group is open to boys and girls of ages 6 to 14.
Availability of Places
The Scout Group admits youth members subject to a number of constraints, including:
- them being the appropriate age;
- maximum section size rules; and
- the availability of resources to deliver a safe and high-quality programme (e.g. adult volunteers, meeting space, supervision ratios)
Admission Criteria
A young person may be offered a place as a youth member of the 1st Lindfield Scout Group subject to the rules and policies of The Scout Association and this local admissions policy.
All prospective youth members must register their interest with the waiting list coordinator (waitinglist@lindfieldscouts.org) and for Beaver places we do not accept expressions of interest until the young person is 5 and a half years old. Registration does not guarantee the offer of a place.
Once a young person has reached the required age for the section we prioritise the allocation of places based on:
- succession within the Scout Group (e.g. an existing Beaver moving to Cubs);
- the willingness of parents/carers to take on a formal volunteer role in Scouting and contribute in a meaningful way;
- young people moving into the area from elsewhere, who are already active members of a scout group, and for whom 1st Lindfield is the nearest scout group;
- whether the child is a sibling of current or past members;
- whether the child’s home address or school is in Lindfield civil parish or postal locality; and the child’s age and the length of time they have been on the waiting to join list.
Offers of a Place
Offers of a place are only valid for 14 days. Sometimes we offer a place to two or more people at the same time, in which cases places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
If a young person has special needs, admission will be at the discretion of the section leaders, who may suggest a trial period. We are not able to offer one-to-one care during meetings, and may ask parents to provide any extra support that is needed.
The decision to admit anyone to membership of the Scout Group rests with the Group Scout Leader, in accordance with The Scout Association’s policies. There is no formal right of appeal, but we welcome dialogue with parents.
Offers for a Particular Session
1st Lindfield operates two Beaver colonies, two Cub packs and two Scout troops. Places can be offered in either colony/pack/troop depending on availability and whilst we will try to accommodate an expressed preference for a particular night, there is no guarantee that this preference will be accommodated. This policy applies to existing youth members as well as new members.
Once a young person has reached the required age for their new section we prioritise the allocation of places based on:
- whether a parent/carer is a formal volunteer
- whether the young person already has a sibling in the session they wish to move to
- first come, first served basis
Complaints Policy
We encourage anyone with concerns about Scouting at 1st Lindfield to contact us to discuss their concerns.
Complaints about any aspect of Scouting may be made in accordance with The Scouts Complaints Policy.