So you want to get stuck in and volunteer with us, but are worried you’ve never been a Scout before? Fear not, our existing volunteers can help you pick up skills as you go and to complement this, we have a training programme to cover all bases!
The best way we can support volunteers in Scouting is to provide them with a comprehensive training program, offering the chance for them learn new skills and to ensure we are giving them the skills for the role, building upon their prior knowledge and existing skills. Cheshire Scouts offer a variety of courses ensuring flexibility for our volunteers who live very busy lives outside of Scouting.
To help you get started and keep everyone safe there are some initial modules everyone must do, for example safey, safeguarding and data protection, and some extra ones for specific roles (for example Trustees need to compelete a trustee induction, and leaders and section assistants, need to complete a module to introduce them to running meetings). You’ll also be assigned a training advisor by our local training manager who will support you on your learning journey.
Once you’ve completed these, other training modules are available to help you understand Scouting, create an interesting and varied programme for your young people and help them achieve the many Awards and Activity badges available to them and acquire and improve your own practical scouting skills.
Most of our formal training is offered by Cheshire county – To check dates and to book your space, please click here to visit our County training page.
Many of our courses are available online, but also you can get a deeper and richer experience by meeting and joining your peers on some of the many courses offered by Cheshire Scouts,
Some modules require validation, this is where you show your training advisor you can put knowledge into practice, which is required to complete all but some of the initial e-learning. If you believe you already have pre-existing skills and can apply them to Scouts you can meet with you TA to discuss this and validate the modules. Cheshire’s training courses often have validation built in to the course.
Finally once you’re fully up to speed some modules need renewing every 3 years. You can find out what modules you need to complete for each role using the training matrix here
For more information and links to e-learning read on, or…
The Training
Getting Started
Some intial training must be completed within the first 5 months of volunteering, this is to keep you and our young people safe. The intial training can be done online through a series of e-learning modules so you can fit this in when it suits you. Some of these modules can also be delivered in person via Cheshire Scouts, you can view these course and book here
Safeguarding
An introduction to keeping young people in our care and Adults at risk safe, to help you be aware of safeguarding issues and what you should do. You will also be introduced to the Yellow Card our safeguarding code of practice that all our Adults must follow. Once completed this training needs to renewed every 3 years.
Safety
Doing things safely is fundamental to everything we do in Scouting. The Safety training ensures that you understand your responsibilities for keeping everyone in Scouts safe, how to assess and manage risk, and run activities safely. Once completed this training needs to renewed every 3 years.
GDPR
A one off course on General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) so you understand that some of the data you handle is sensitive and should be treated as such.
Tools for the Role
The Tools for the Role modules are required for some roles, and help you get started in your role. There’s one for Section Leaders and Section Assistants giving you information about your section, and how to get started with games and activities, and one for volunteers who are managing or supporting other volunteers, which introduces the responsibilites that the roles in your team have and some tips and tricks to get you started.
Go to the Online Tools for the Role (Section Leaders) Training
Go to the Online Tools for the Role (Managers and Supporters) Training
Once you’ve completed the training you need to complete a validationa activity with your training advisor.
Trustee Induction
Training for Group/District Executive Committee Members (who are Charity Trustees for the Group or District) and other Trustees.
Click here to find out more about Executive Committees
Go to the online Trustee Induction
Woodbage Training
Once you’ve completed the Getting Started E-learning, many roles have additional modules you need to complete to obtain your Woodbadge which shows you have compelted your training. Those doing some volunter roles that don’t have a Woodbadge may also benefit from chosing to optionally take on some of these modules, this can be a great way to build your skills.
Check out the Module matrix to see what you need, then click the button below to visit the modules list on the Scouts UK website to find out more about each module. You can then view the Cheshire Scouts training page to see what modules are offered for online or face-to-face training locally.
For more information and links to e-learning read on, or…
Ongoing Training (Mandatory) what and why?
To keep everyone safe and up to date on current practices, some modules have to be renewed every 3 years.
Safeguarding
An introduction to keeping young people in our care and Adults at risk safe, to help you be aware of safeguarding issues and what you should do. You will also be introduced to the Yellow Card our safeguarding code of practice that all our Adults must follow. Once completed this training needs to renewed every 3 years.
Safety
Doing things safely is fundamental to everything we do in Scouting. The Safety training ensures that you understand your responsibilities for keeping everyone in Scouts safe, how to assess and manage risk, and run activities safely. Once completed this training needs to renewed every 3 years.
First Aid
For roles which require first aid, it must be renewed every 3 years to ensure leaders are up-to-date on their skills and able to respond if needed.
Doing things safely is fundamental to everything we do in Scouts, and completing the first aid training – also known as First Response course – is a key part in that. This course aims to cover the skills and knowledge necessary to enable volunteers to manage an incident and provide basic first aid.
Learn more about the Scouts current first aid requirements
Find a First Aid Training Course In Cheshire
Shouldn’t every adult in Scouting have these basic skills to call upon when needed?
