Special Needs

Special Needs Programme Support

All young people, regardless of mental or physical ability, can access Scouting at all levels.

Some young people with special needs may require flexibility to gain badges and awards, meaning the Programme can be adapted to their needs in order to improve access to the badge or award, rather than reducing the challenge of its requirements.

Most young people with special needs can be integrated into mainstream Scouting, while others may access Scouting through specialist special needs Scout Groups.

What Support Is Available?

Support for Special Needs in Scouting can come in many ways:

  • Funding to provide additional support to a member.
  • Information about how to deal with a particular special need.
  • Support, training and help for Leaders.
  • An additional Leader or Helper.
  • Advice and funding on adaptations to / or special equipment.
  • Information on how members can take a full part in our awards programme for all sections.

SHQ Special Needs Fund

The Special Needs Fund exists to provide financial assistance to projects and activities that will support, extend and improve the quality of Scouting provided to young people with additional needs in Scotland.

For more information on this fund, visit the Development & Funding section.

SHQ Special Needs Team

It is very easy to feel isolated and unsure when dealing with a young person with a particular condition that may require additional support.

The Scottish Special Needs Team is happy to provide support to any leader, or even just a chat to discuss how a person with a specific special need can be part of the Group without compromising others.

Our team has specialists in a wide variety of topics, including deafness, learning disabilities and physical needs. If we don't know the answer we will know where to find it!

The SHQ Special Needs Team will also be happy to provide training in your Group. Alternatively we can run the Special Needs Module (number 36) in the Adult Training Scheme.

Whatever your requirement is (and no matter how trivial you may think it is) please do get in touch with the SHQ Special Needs Team.

The team will be happy to discuss your situation. If a visit to your group is required we will endeavour to arrange that as soon as possible.

Special Needs Menus

The SHQ Special Needs Team has produced a set of downloadable information and menus to assist adult volunteers in planning and catering for Scouts in their groups with special dietary needs and/or allergies.

These ‘special needs menus’ are intended as a guideline only and should be supplemented with direct discussion with the young person’s parents or carers. The menus currently available are:

  • How to be Allergy Aware
  • The Law on Gluten
  • Catering for a Gluten Free Diet
  • Catering for a Milk and Egg Free Diet
  • Catering for a Milk Free Diet
  • Catering for a Wheat Free Diet
  • ‘Free From’ Foods List for Camp Menus

You can download the above separately or as a zip file from the right hand colum of this page.

The SHQ Advisor (Special Needs) is also available to co-ordinate additional training and support where needed, please make contact via email on [email protected].

More information:

To contact John Kitson, Scottish Headquarters Adviser (Special Needs), email [email protected]

For more detailed information on Special Needs in Scouting, visit the Special Needs pages on The Scout Association website.