The Safer Recruitment process is designed to ensure that only suitable adults are selected to work with children and young people, and that all volunteer leaders are recruited in a safe, consistent, and transparent manner. The following steps should be completed (for all new applicants or returning leaders) in the order outlined below. There is a separate process for Company appointments here.

Before commencing the formal Safer Recruitment process, the Battalion/ District Secretary, or other Battalion/District official, should meet with the applicant to discuss the role, consider their suitability, and confirm their willingness and commitment for the role.

1. Applicant completes the LREG1-BATT Form

The applicant should:

• Complete Parts 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the LREG1-BATT form.
• For Admin-only roles, also complete Part 3 of the form.
• Provide details of two suitable referees.
• Send the online Reference Request link to both referees.
• Return the completed form to the Battalion/District Secretary.
• Meet with the Battalion/District Secretary* to complete the online DBS Application Form (Not required for Admin-only roles)

There is no requirement for a Church Nomination.

2. Battalion/ District

The Battalion/District Secretary* should:

• Complete Part 6 of the LREG1-BATT form supporting the appointment on behalf of the Battalion/District.
• Submit the completed LREG1-BATT form to BB Headquarters.
  

3. Disclosure checks completed through BB Headquarters (This is NOT required for Admin-only roles in England & Wales)

The Identity Checker (Battalion/District Secretary *) should:

• Arrange to meet the volunteer (applicant) in person.
• Complete the online DBS Application Form.
• As the Identity Checker, verify the applicant’s original identity documents during the meeting. This is required by BB Headquarters to process the volunteer’s online Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application.

To confirm that the identity documents presented are acceptable, refer to the guidance available here.

* Where there is not a Battalion/District Secretary available, a Battalion/District Office bearer (President, Vice President, Treasurer) can complete these processes.  

4. Mandatory Training 

All applicants, including returning leaders, must complete mandatory e-learning modules in Safeguarding and Managing Risk before being fully registered as leaders. BB Headquarters will provide applicants with instructions on how to register with Online Brigade Manager (OBM) to access and complete these modules. 

Once registered:

• All Battalion Helpers and Residential Activity Helpers are required to complete the Safeguarding and Managing Risk modules of Youth Leader Training (YLT) within 12 months.

Please note that some roles have additional mandatory training requirements before appointment.

• Reserve Officers and Battalion/District Office Bearers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) are required to complete the full Youth Leader Training (YLT) before they can be appointed.   

5. Final Approval

BB Headquarters will ensure that all elements of the Safer Recruitment process have been successfully completed before approving the applicant as a leader. The new or returning leader and the Battalion/District Secretary will receive notification of this in an email. For new appointments, a lifetime leader registration card should be received within 4-6 weeks. 

For further advice or support, please contact BB Headquarters at support@boys-brigade.org.uk or call 0300 303 4454.