Volunteers Joining – Recruitment & Training

It’s only right that adults working with children and young people in scouting are resourced to do it in the best possible way.

Through our recruitment process we make sure that potential volunteers know what they are getting in for, are suitable for the role and know what training is available.

Recruitment

The following process applies to all roles. (A couple steps are not needed for Occasional Helpers)

  • An application form (to gather your details) including two references (Both must have known you over a year and not be related to you or co-habiting with you. One must have known you over 5 years. At least one must not be an adult volunteer in scouting or a parent of a local scout)
  • Your information is added to The Scout Association database (known as compass) of adult volunteers and you become a member of The Scout Association.
  • A DBS check
  • A short meeting (known as the Appointments Committee) which is as much about ensuring you know what you’re letting yourself in for as it is assessing your suitability to volunteer in Scouting (not needed for Occasional Helpers)
  • The 5 core training modules as below (not mandatory for Occasional Helpers)

Training

There is plenty of training available for all roles – those working with children and the supportive roles that aren’t weekly with children. New volunteers will normally accompany the more experienced volunteers while they gain confidence or have a robust handover/training process.

There are 5 initial core training modules which teach and assess the fundamentals both of scouting as an activity and of how we manage the safety of members and their data. They take about 40 minutes of online learning each.

Pop through these links to the training modules on The Scout Association website – why not do one per week for the first few weeks of joining in with Beavers, Cubs or Scouts.

Section Leaders will go on to be validated in roughly 15 more training modules; to be progressed through within 3 years of appointment. Completing this training leads to being awarded your Wood Beads.