Guidance for Referees 

Thank you for agreeing to provide a reference for an individual applying to become a volunteer leader with The Boys’ Brigade. 

The Boys’ Brigade is one of the UK’s largest Christian youth organisations in the UK, partnering with over 700 Churches and working with over 20,000 children and young people every week. We are committed to prioritising the safety and wellbeing of every child and young person in our care.  

As part of our safer recruitment process, all volunteers who work with children and young people are required to complete a disclosure check and provide references. Safer recruitment is an essential part of safeguarding, helping to ensure that only suitable adults are selected to volunteer with our children and young people. 

Before Completing this Reference 

Please ensure you have read and understood the following information before completing this reference. By submitting this reference, you confirm that: 

• You are 18 years of age or over. 

• You have known the applicant well for at least two years. 

• You understand that the role involves working with children and young people. 

• You are not related to the applicant or to any other person providing a reference for them. *You may need to clarify this with the applicant 

• You are not the Company Captain/Correspondent (or Battalion Official) who completed the Company Nomination for the applicant. 

• You are not the Church Official who nominated the applicant on behalf of the church. 

• No more than one referee is a current Boys’ Brigade leader or member of the Church leadership team. Wherever possible, both referees should be independent of both The Boys’ Brigade and the Church. 

• The information you provide is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. 

• You understand that your reference is confidential and that The Boys’ Brigade may contact you if clarification is required. 

• You understand that your reference will be stored and processed by The Boys’ Brigade in accordance with its Privacy Policy to support our Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment procedures. 

To learn more about Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment in The Boys’ Brigade, see here.