Training
Training is any learning activity that helps you to gain skills, knowledge or values. The most beneficial training, as far as the scouts is concerned, is that which helps you to fulfil your scouting role more easily and with increasing success.
We aim to make training accessible to all, regardless of geography, education, personal circumstances or special needs. Our training is also designed to provide opportunities to enable you to interact and share your experiences with other volunteers.
Validation
Validation is the process of finding out if you are able to put the learning covered by a module into practice in your role in Scouting. All modules for your role require validating regardless of whether you have gained the skills from previous experience or by planned learning.
Each subject (module or training), has a fixed requirement. There are a number of validation methods for you to select from. Validation methods are simple and effective and should always be something that you do as part of your normal role. The focus should be on you ‘doing something’ and this will often be backed up by discussion. Validation should not be seen as an exam – it is a positive experience in which you will receive supportive feedback.
What training do I need?
It can get very confusing trying to understand what training you need to complete for your role with so many modules and different requirements for each role you could have, sometimes you need it clearly laid out. The list below should help to make clear the training required for your role.
Section Leaders, Line managers and District Team
Section Leaders, Line managers and district team
The below is applicable to all roles that require a Wood badge, as defined by Appointments: Table 2 in the September 2020 edition of POR. Namely, the following roles:
- Section Leader
- Assistant Section Leader
- Group Scout Leader / Deputy Group Scout Leader
- District / County Commissioner (and equivalents)
- Deputy Commissioner
- Explorer & Scout Network Scout Commissioners
- Assistant Commissioner
- Youth Commissioner / Deputy Youth Commissioners
- Scout Active Support Managers
- Scouter and Leader
Getting Started training
In the first 5 months of your role (and to move to a Full appointment) you need to complete the learning and validation for:
- Module 1 Essential Information
- Module 2 PLP
- Module 3 or 4 Tools for the job (as appropriate)
- GDPR
- Safety
- Safeguarding
- Trustee Introduction*
*this new training is required of members in ex-officio roles such as Group Scout Leaders and Commissioners and for those Section Leaders who have opted into a Trustee role. POR Appointments Table 2 provides clarity for people in these roles as it also depends on your location.
Wood badge training
Wood badge and First Aid training is required.
Mandatory Ongoing Learning
You will need to renew your Safety, Safeguarding and First Aid training every 3 years.
Trustee Introduction requirements
If you take up the role of Section Leader and opt into being an executive committee member or take on an ex-officio role (such as Group Scout Leader, District or County Commissioner) you will need to complete the Trustee Introduction training, within the first 5 months of the role start date on Compass.
If you are already in an ex-officio role or are a member of the Executive Committee it is strongly recommended, but not required, that you complete Trustee Introduction as it will help you to ensure you can support other members of the executive appropriately and keep you updated with current policy.
For Section Leaders who have opted-in to being an Executive Committee member, the best way to record this on Compass is to have the role of Executive Committee member added to your Compass record. This will automatically flag up the need to complete the Trustee Introduction module.
Section Assistant
Section Assistant
Getting Started training
In the first 5 months of your role (and to move to a Full appointment) you need to complete the learning and validation for:
- Module 1 Essential Information
- Module 3 Tools for the job
- GDPR
- Safety
- Safeguarding
Wood badge training
Wood badge is not required.
Mandatory Ongoing Learning
You will need to renew your Safety and Safeguarding training every 3 years.
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You will need to complete the Safety and Safeguarding training when your renewal is due. This will be every 3 years. Your renewal date can be found on Compass.
If we change your renewal period to bring it forward, we will communicate with you directly by email.
Scout Active Support Coordinators and Members
Scout Active Support Coordinators and Members
Training Obligations
In the first 5 months you need to complete the learning and validation for:
- Module 1 Essential Information
- GDPR
- Safety
- Safeguarding
Mandatory Ongoing Learning
You will need to renew your Safety and Safeguarding training every 3 years.
Governance Roles
Governance Roles
Training Obligations
In the first 5 months you must complete the learning and validation for:
- Module 1 Essential Information
- GDPR
- Safety
- Safeguarding
- Trustee Introduction
Mandatory Ongoing Learning
You will need to renew your Safety and Safeguarding training every 3 years.
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All Ex Officio members of Executive Committees (including Section Leaders who have opted-in to a Group Executive Committee) are required to complete the new Trustee Introduction, Safety and Safeguarding training if they have not already completed Essential Information for Executive Committee (01EX).
Appointment Roles
Appointment Roles
Training Obligations
In the first 5 months you must complete the learning and validation for:
- Module 1 Essential Information
- GDPR
- Safety
- Safeguarding
Additionally:
- Module 37 Advising on Adult Appointments
Mandatory Ongoing Learning
You will need to renew your Safety and Safeguarding training every 3 years.
Support Roles
Support Roles
Training Obligations
In the first 5 months and to move to a Full appointment you need to complete the learning and validation for:
- Module 1 Essential Information
- GDPR
- Safety
- Safeguarding
Mandatory Ongoing Learning
You will need to renew your Safety and Safeguarding training every 3 years.
Assessors
Assessors
Training Obligations
In the first 5 months you need to complete the learning and validation for:
- Module 1 Essential Information
- GDPR
- Safety
- Safeguarding
Additionally:
- Module 25 Assessing Learning
Mandatory Ongoing Learning
You will need to renew your Safety and Safeguarding training every 3 years.
Event Unit Leaders
Event Unit Leaders
Training Obligations
In the first 5 months you need to complete the learning and validation for:
- Module 1 Essential Information
- GDPR
Additionally:
- Module 10 First Aid
Mandatory Ongoing Learning
You will need to renew your Safety, Safeguarding and First Aid training every 5 years.
President and Vice President
President and Vice President
Training Obligations
This depends on their role within the group/district
Other roles
This is applicable to the following roles:
- Subcommittee members
- Awards Advisory Group members
- Supporters
Training Obligations
In the first 5 months you need to complete the learning and validation for:
- Module 1 Essential Information
- GDPR
- Safety
- Safeguarding
Mandatory Ongoing Learning
You will need to renew your Safety and Safeguarding training every 3 years.
Training Advisers and Local Training Managers
Training Advisers and Local Training Managers
| Module 25 |
| To provide the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to effectively support, validate and assess adults in the Adult Training Scheme, the Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme, Nights Away Permit Scheme and the Scout Show National Recognition Scheme. There is a workbook available for module 25 however it is recommended that you attend the course. You will gain more of an insight in to assessing within the Scout Association from experienced trainers / advisers. |
Supplementary Modules
| Module | Module Title | Learning Method |
| 36 | Additional Needs | Day Course |
| 38 | Skills for Residential Experiences |
Weekend Course |
Module 36: To provide information, support and resources for those working with young people with additional needs.
Module 38: This is an additional ‘skills’ module which expands on Module 16 (Introduction to Residential Experiences), which ideally should be completed prior to attending this weekend. During the weekend you will learn about, using and storing camping equipment, choosing a site, planning, paperwork, catering, as well as programme ideas, and gain the skills and knowledge to take your section away camping.This weekend is also very useful to those seeking to become Nights Away Adviser.
Additional Information
| Learners’ resources |
There is a diverse range of training methods right at your fingertips. |
| Adult Training Scheme |
This publication explains The Scout Association’s approach to training; gives the details of the training scheme and outlines the management of training provision within Counties. |
| Safety issues | It is the responsibility of all those involved in Scouting to ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, that all activities are conducted in a safe manner without risk to the health of the participants. |
| ILM | The Scout Association’s Leadership and Management Training has been recognised as a Development Programme with the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). ILM recognition is the benchmark of high quality, bespoke, in-house leadership and management training. |
