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Learning for Volunteers

Our new learning is made up of Growing Roots and Branching Out. Learning is a mix of e-learning and learning experiences.


Growing Roots: Learning you need to do

The only people who don’t need to complete this learning are Presidents, Vice Presidents, Non-Member – Needs Disclosure, Retired Members and Designated Carers.

Re-joining Scouts after a break?

If you’re joining or re-joining Scouts after a break of 180 days or more, you’ll need to re-do your Growing Roots learning, even if you’ve completed this learning in a previous role.

Learning for all volunteers

Safety

How long do I have to complete it?

Completed within the first 30 days of joining.

What will I learn?

This learning is about how we keep our young people and each other safe. It includes:

• What our safety policy is and why it’s important

• What your responsibilities are in terms of Safety

• How to assess and manage risks

• How to respond to and report incidents

For existing volunteers…

This learning is automatically signed off if you’ve already completed the retired Safety modules within the last three years.

It must be renewed every 3 years.


Safeguarding

How long do I have to complete it?

Completed within the first 30 days of joining.

What will I learn?

This learning is about how we safeguard our young people and each other. It includes:

• What safeguarding is and why it’s important

• How to recognise Safeguarding concerns

• How to respond to and report Safeguarding concerns

• How to Safeguard Adults at Risk

For existing volunteers…

This learning is automatically signed off if you’ve already completed the retired Safeguarding modules within the last three years.

It must be renewed every 3 years.


Creating Inclusion

How long do I have to complete it?

Completed within the first 6 months of joining.

What will I learn?

This learning is about how we make Scouts a welcoming space for everybody. It includes:

• How to challenge assumptions

• Practical ways to be more inclusive in everything we do

• How to respond when people need reasonable adjustments

• How to challenge discrimination

For existing volunteers…

This learning is automatically signed off if you’ve completed the retired Module 7 – Scouting for All.


Data Protection in Scouts

How long do I have to complete it?

Completed within the first 6 months of joining.

What will I learn?

This learning is about how we take care of people’s personal data. It includes:

• What data protection and personal data is.

• How to gather personal data in Scouts.

• How to use, share and store personal data in Scouts.

• How to delete or archive personal data securely.

• How to respond in case of a data breach or subject access request.

For existing volunteers…

This learning is automatically signed off if you’ve already completed the retired GDPR module.


Who we are and what we do

How long do I have to complete it?

Completed within the first 6 months of joining.

What will I learn?

This is an introduction to what Scouts is and how we help young people develop skills for life. It includes:

• Our purpose, Promise and values as Scouts.

• The support that’s available to you.

• How our different teams work together.

• How Scouts create impact.

For existing volunteers…

This learning is automatically signed off if you’ve already completed the retired Essential Information (Module 1).


Learning for some volunteers

Delivering a Great Programme

Who needs to complete it?

Section Team Members.

Inlcuding Section Team Leaders for all Sections – Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Network.

How long do I have to complete it?

Completed within the first 6 months of joining.

What will I learn?

This helps our Section Teams to understand how to plan and deliver a safe, balanced and high quality programme for young people in Scouts. It includes:

• The Scout Method and how we create impact.

• How to involve young people and be youth led.

• How to promote positive behaviour when working with young people.

• How to plan and run safe and exciting programmes, so young people can achieve their top awards.

• How to work with parents and carers of our young people.

For existing volunteers…

This learning is automatically signed off if you’ve already completed and validated the following retired Modules:

  • Module 3 – Tools for the Role (Section Leaders)
  • Module 12A – Delivering a Quality Programme
  • Module 12B – Programme Planning
  • Module 17 – Running Safe Activities


Leading Scout Volunteers

Who needs to complete it?

Team Leaders and Lead Volunteers

Except for Team Leaders of Section Teams and Sub-teams.

How long do I have to complete it?

Completed within the first 6 months of joining.

What will I learn?

• How to adapt your leadership style

• How the Scouts approach to Teams works

• How to welcome new volunteers

• How to run good reviews with volunteers, and how to recognise them for their work

• How to have constructive conversations

• How to carry out your responsibilities for permit approvals, activity approvals, and suspensions

• How to lead on inclusive growth

For existing volunteers…

This learning will be automatically signed off if you’ve already achieved your Manager & Supporter Wood Badge.


Being a Trustee in Scouts

Who needs to complete it?

All Trustees

How long do I have to complete it?

Completed within the first 6 months of joining.

What will I learn?

• What a Trustee is and what responsibilities you have

• Where to find resources and support for approaching your responsibilities

• How to manage premises

• How to manage risks as a Trustee

For existing volunteers…

This learning will be automatically signed off if you’ve already completed the retired Trustee Introduction module.


First Response

Although not technically a part of Growing Roots learning.

Who needs to complete it?

Section Team Members, Section Team Leaders, Group Leader Volunteers and District 14-24 Team Leaders.

How long do I have to complete it?

Completed within the first 12 months of joining.

What will I learn?

This is First Aid training at Scouts. It includes:

• Managing a first aid incident

• Offering emergency life support such as CPR

• Helping in situations where a person is unconscious

• Dealing with common Scouting injuries including bleeding, sprains and head injuries

• A basic understanding of some of the major illnesses: asthma, stoke, diabetes, and so on

For existing volunteers…

It must be renewed every 3 years.



How do I access learning?

Sign in to scouts.org.uk and go to ‘My learning’ to access all learning and to view your learning record.

There you can see the learning you need to do, explore other learning you might be interested in, request to be assessed and keep track of your progress.

Read the My learning digital tool guide to learn how to do this.

Who can support with learning?

If you’re joining Scouts for the first time or changing to a new team or role, your Team Leader or Lead Volunteer will help you understand what learning you need to do.

The District Volunteering Development Team are there to support all volunteers with their learning. They manage the learning offer locally and can answer any questions you might have. They can also support you to access digital learning and help you find an alternative if you don’t have any access to the internet.

Volunteers with the Learning Assessor accreditation are responsible for crediting learning on scouts.org.uk.


Updated: December 2024

HM King Charles III has been confirmed as our new Patron, a great honour for UK Scouts.

The King continues a long tradition of the monarch giving their Patronage, dating back to 1912. This was when Scouts was granted its Royal Charter and HM George V became our first Patron.

Find out more
King Charles III

Our Patron, HM King Charles III