New resources are being introduced to help volunteers respond confidently and safely if something goes wrong during Scouts activities.
A refreshed Purple Card and a new Premises Poster are being rolled out to make it clearer what to do in an emergency and how to report incidents correctly. These updates have been developed with support from volunteers across Scouts to ensure they work well in real situations.
The Purple Card – Now Smaller and Easier to Carry
The updated Purple Card has been redesigned to fit in your wallet, making it easier to keep with you at all times.
The card sets out five simple steps to follow in an emergency:
- Stay safe
- Help if you can
- Raise the alarm
- Keep everyone safe
- Report
These steps are designed to help volunteers quickly focus on what matters most during an incident.
Remember:
- You don’t have to manage an incident alone – teamwork matters.
- Getting help quickly is important.
- Reporting incidents helps us learn and keep everyone safer in the future. It’s about improving safety, not placing blame.
New Premises Poster
A new Premises Poster will also be available for meeting places and activity venues.
This poster helps ensure volunteers know:
- what to do in an emergency
- who to contact
- how incidents should be recorded and reported
Teams will be able to customise the poster with their local emergency information.
When displaying posters, please make sure GDPR and privacy considerations are followed.
Training and Safety Resources
Mandatory Safety learning has already been updated to reflect the changes to the Purple Card and guidance. Volunteers do not need to repeat their training before renewal.
The Safety Checklist Cards are currently being reviewed and will be reissued later in 2026.
In the future, Scouts also plans to introduce digital wallet versions of Safe Scouting cards, alongside the paper copies.
Ordering Your Resources
You can access the new materials here:
- Purple Cards – Order or download from the Scout Store
- Premises Posters – Order A3 printed copies from the Scout Store or download a customisable A3/A4 version from the Scouts Brand Centre
Guidance and reporting tools are available online:
If you currently have an older Purple Card, please replace it with the updated version and recycle the old copy.
Reporting Incidents
If an incident happens, follow the steps on the Purple Card and record the incident locally.
In some situations, you must also report the incident to UK Headquarters using the online reporting form.
You must contact UK Headquarters immediately if an incident involves:
- A fatality resulting from a Scouting activity
- A likely hospital stay of three or more days
- Multiple casualties requiring overnight hospitalisation
- The collapse of a significant structure, whether injuries occurred or not
These resources are designed to help every volunteer feel confident, supported, and prepared if something goes wrong – helping keep Scouts a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
