| Information | Retention period | Reason | Practicalities of dealing with paperwork in the real world |
| Financial records | Legal requirement | Legal requirement | We aim to move toward using OSM for membership and participation fees |
| Sensitive dealings involving headquarters and individuals | Until the matter is dealt with from our point of view | For reference during the relevant process | Local records are destroyed as soon as the case is closed at our end |
| Under-25’s badge records, maintained as an important part of Scouting | May be kept after the child has left, including name, section, badges and dates | Considered a nice historic record, sometimes optimism that the child may wish to resume Scouting later | Volunteers are not obliged to keep this type of information on behalf of the Scout Association after either they or a child has left |
| Under-18’s permit assessments | Kept for the duration of their permit | Required for enquiries on the permit and responding to incidents | Destroyed in batches after the permit has expired, usually during spring cleaning |
| Adult permit assessments | 2 months after approval | Required for enquiries and complaints | Destroyed in batches after the 2 month period for complaints has passed, usually around the end of the following term |
| Ad-hoc activities and events | 2 months after event | Required for enquiries on the event and responding to incidents |
| Adult application forms | Kept until after the process is completed | For reference during the application process |
| Non-sensitive matters among members | Until the matter is dealt with | For reference while the matter may still be relevant |
| Non-sensitive matters within local community |
| Non-sensitive matters within Scout Association |
| Ad-hoc annual District activities and events | 6 months after the event | For planning the same event in the following year | Destroyed in batches after the 6 month period has passed, usually around the end of the following term |
| Review documents for ad-hoc annual District activities and events | 18 months after the event | To re-invite helpers and guests to the same event in the following year | Destroyed in batches after the 6 month period has passed, usually during spring cleaning |
