Developing Skills
Our adult volunteers get just as much from Scouting as young people. All adult leaders in Scouting receive support through our comprehensive training programme, helping them to develop their current skills and learn new ones. This training can help towards the achievement of external qualifications, while there are also awards which recognise dedication to training and outstanding service within the Movement.
How our training works
Training is offered in two distinct stages. Initial training entitled ‘Getting Started’, gives an overview of the Movement and highlights the need for operating within the Association’s key policies. It also signposts the new leader to any further training they may require and helps them to understand their new role.
Training is offered in a range of ways: small group, online sessions, e-learning or workbooks. There is also a facility to recognise relevant learning undertaken elsewhere.
Once the leader’s personal training has been completed and they have demonstrated that they are putting their learning into practice, then they can be awarded the Wood Badge. The Wood Badge recognises the commitment to the values and ethos of the Movement by leaders who have undertaken training.
This training is a national scheme, so if you decide to move out of Helmsley to a new local Scout area, your training record goes with you.
So what training do you need to do for your role?
All section leader and assistants in Scouting are required to undertake mandatory Getting Started training within five months of starting the role. This ensures, as much as possible, that you understand your role, responsibilities and duties as an adult supporting Scouting, and that you are confident to take the first steps.
Getting Started:
To support you in your first five months of volunteering with the Scouts we have a number of training modules for you to complete. You can complete these in any order. Please remember to send your certificate to your TA for validation.
- Module 1 – Essential Information {E-Learning with printable certificate}
- Module 2 – Personal Learning Plan
- General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) {E-Learning with printable certificate}
- Module 3 – Tools for the role for Leaders {E-Learning and Validation Form}
- Module 4 – Tools for the role for Managers and Supporters {E-Learning and Validations Form}
- Safety E-learning training {E-Learning – must be renewed every three years}
- Safeguarding E-Learning training {E-Learning – must be renewed every three years}
Training for all Section Leader & Assistants
When you’re working towards completing your Wood Badge everyone with a volunteer appointment should complete the modules on this page. Once you’ve completed these modules, visit the main training pages to complete modules which are specific to your volunteer role.
- Module 5 – The Fundamentals of Scouting {E-Learning & Validation form}
- Module 10 – First Aid
- Module 11 – Administration {Workbook & Validation form.}
of which these modules are re-validated on change of role
- Module 7 – Scouting for all {Validation form.}
- Module 12a – Delivering a Quality Programme {E-Learning & Validation form }
Training for dealing with People
- Module 8 – Skills of Leadership {Validation form.}
- Module 9 – Working with Adults {Validation form.}
of which these modules are Section specific
- Module 13 – Growing the section {Workbook, and Validation form.}
- Module 14 – Supporting Young People {Workbook, and Validation form.}
- Module 15 – Promoting Positive Behaviour {Workbook, and Validation form.}
Training for dealing with People
- Module 16 – An Introduction to Residential Experiences {Validation form.}
- Module 17 – Running Safe Activities {Workbook, & Validation form.}
- Module 19 – International {Validation form.}
of which these modules are Section specific
- Module 12b – Programme Planning {Validation form.}
- Module 18 – Practical Skills {Validation form.}
Who is there to support you?
Training Adviser (TA) – Most TA’s will have other roles in Scouting so are very likely to “speak your language” and understand your issues and questions. If you have not been allocated a TA, please contact your line manager or the County Training Manager for assistance.
Local Training Manager (LTM) – The LTM supports the TA’s and provides information and guidance to your Scout District. If you do not know who is your LTM, please contact the County Training Manager for assistance.
Your Group Scout Leader (GSL) or District Explorer Scout Commissioner(DESC) – Your GSL or DESC (if you are an Explorer Scout Leader) can validate many of your Getting Started modules (not Module 3). They may be able to support with a witness testimony or provide you with opportunities to put your learning into practice or contacts to find out more about training or your role.
Other Leaders in your Section – your Section colleagues can provide support and guidance and give you help and opportunities to run activities, events or carry out the necessary administration that would provide evidence for your learning validation.
What is validation ?
Validation is the way that we show that we know something and that we can use it in practice. Sometimes validation is covered as part of the learning, as with most of the online Getting Started Modules, at other times it is a separate process from the learning and is carried out through discussion with a Training Adviser or using our online portal.
A quick guide to the training modules is covered in the MODULE MATRIX. More information will be in the Section Leaders Adult Personal File