Adult Training
Training for adults
Adult volunteers are at the heart of Scouting, and it is important to remember that Scouting is not only about young people, but very much about the development of adults within the Movement.
To support adults in Scouting, the Scout Association provides a comprehensive programme of training that builds on existing skills and knowledge and so develops new competencies. For some appointments – this training leads to the Wood Badge, but this should never be seen as the end of the road!
The Adult Training Scheme
The Adult Training Scheme offers great flexibility to learners in how they learn and how they validate their learning. I’m convinced that Adult Training is as much about motivation and empowerment as it is about learning.
I’m a great believer in the impact of a good training course and I hope that part of your training will be done over a full day or a weekend. We have known for many years that participants learn as much from their peers on such courses as from the trainers!
I also believe that good adult training provides the best foundation on which to build more experience and success. Foundations always need to go in first, so don’t put off getting started.
So if your appointment requires some specific learning, please look out for the training opportunities on offer. If you have completed your own training, please encourage and support those who are still working through theirs by becoming a Training Adviser.
Managers and Supporters’ Training
In 2017, a new training provision for Managers and Supporters in Scouting was introduced.
It replaced the previous Manager/ Supporter modules with more up to date resources, to provide better support for these essential roles. Managers are those with roles such as County Commissioner, District Commissioner and GSL while Supporters are those with assistant appointments such as ACCs and ADCs. All these appointments have a Wood Badge that should be completed within 3 years.
A good number of managers take up their appointments after many years of ‘scouting experience’, so, (as with all appointments) it may not be necessary to undertake all the training, if the required knowledge and abilities can be demonstrated through a validation.
The new M & S training scheme consists of four phases:
- Getting started – covering the modules: Essential Information, Personal Learning Plan and Tools for the Role (Managers and Supporters) and GDPR.
- Training for All Appointments – covering the modules; Fundamentals of Scouting, Changes in Scouting, Scouting for All, First Aid, Administration, Delivering a Quality Programme. Where training is required, much can be covered by booking onto the Programme Skills Pt 1 (half day) and a People Power Pt 1 (half day).
- Independent Learning – These are a series of videos, short e-learning sessions and workbooks that should be done before attending the Skills Courses. They covering some 16 elements of the managers role and are available on the ‘Scouts’ website and can be found here.
These independent learning modules are helpful as a refresher to those already in post – so if you are unsure of any of the topics or feel that a refresher would be helpful, please don’t hesitate to complete them. They are not exclusive to managers and may be found useful to those holding other appointments. - Skills courses – These three courses are all aimed at members who hold Manager and Supporter roles in Scouting. Supporters include volunteers who don’t line manage other volunteers, but who work with and support adults in Scouting. All three courses aim to provide members with the skills needed to carry out their role effectively and support others in doing the same. Each course helps the learners to build upon knowledge gained from the Independent Learning and to draw on their own life experiences and that of others in their tutor group. We are building these days in co-operation with our trainer colleagues in Greater London North East.
We want these management courses to have the widest appeal, so if you have recently been appointed or been in post for a while; if you already hold a Manager’s Wood Badge, but would like a refresh or are just thinking about taking up a manager/supporter appointment, we would very much like you to register for this training.
Achieving Growth: Saturday 28 September 2019. 9.45am – 5.30pm
The day covers: Planning for Growth, Growth: Young People and Young Adults, Growth: Adult Volunteers and Managing Change.
Refreshments and a buffet lunch provided.
Venue: The Niland Conference Centre, 93 Elstree Road, Bushey, WD23 4EE
Meeting the Challenges: Sunday 29 September 2019. 9.45am – 5.30pm
The day covers: Dealing with Difficult Situations, Disputes and Complaints Process, Challenging Reviews, Safeguarding (not a substitute for a safeguarding awareness course!) and Managing Your Time.
Refreshments and a buffet lunch provided.
Venue: The Niland Conference Centre, 93 Elstree Road, Bushey, WD23 4EE
Skills of Management: Saturday 16th November 9.00am – Sunday 17th November 1.00pm
The two days will cover: How you lead, Communication and Active listening, How we work together, Motivating your Team, Mentoring, Coaching and Supporting, Building relationships.
Refreshments and a buffet lunch on Saturday will be provided. Overnight accommodation and breakfast will also be available for a small supplement (£10.00)
Venue: The Jack Petchey Lodge, Gilwell Park, Bury Road, Chingford, London E4 7QW
