Chief Scout Bear Grylls: advice that scout leaders should not call children ‘boys or girls’ has been scrapped

The Scouts have done a U-turn on a transgender policy that members said put young people’s safety at risk.

The policy, which was published only 18 months ago and triggered protests — one MP called it “madness” — has been substantially changed. Advice that scout leaders should not call children “boys or girls” has been scrapped.

The organisation, which accepts boys and girls of all ages, has also rescinded advice that a child’s gender transition must be treated with “complete confidentiality”, including being kept from parents. The guidance now says such information should be shared with families or the authorities if there are welfare concerns.

The Scouts’ equal opportunities policy has also been revised to include the category of sex, previously omitted in favour of