Adult Training
The Scout Association has been training young people, for the last 100 years. Leaders have the responsibility of helping these young people to grow and develop socially, spiritually, intellectually and physically. This unique role in the young people’s lives is both challenging and rewarding.
To support adults in Scouting, the Scout Association provides training that builds upon the existing skills, knowledge and experience. The training received is intended to give additional skills and knowledge to ensure that Leaders can carry out that role to the best of their abilities. Each adult is provided with a publication called the Adults Personal File to guide and help them with this process.
The training offered by the Scout Association is divided into 37 modules and Leaders are not expected to complete all of these, only those relevant to their appointment. The modules are divided into four categories i.e. those required to be completed by all appointments, Section Leaders and Section Supporters, Managers, Section and other Supporters and Supplementary modules which would normally be done by those wishing to take part as ‘trainers.’
The modules are as follows:
Module 1 – Essential Information – completed by all appointed to the Association, both uniformed and non-uniformed providing the basic information about the Scout Movement.
Module 2 - Personal Learning Plan which is completed by all members guiding them through the modules they require to tackle and creating a plan for the individual’s learning based on the requirements of the job and taking into account the individual’s needs.
Module 3 – Tools for the Job – completed by all Section Leaders giving them basic information on their appointment
Module 4 – Tools for the Job – similar to Module 3 but designed for Managers (Group Scout Leaders, Commissioners etc.)
These four modules require to be undertaken by all adults taking up uniformed appointments, are arranged by the District and are called ‘The Getting Started Modules.’
Module 5 – Fundamental Values of Scouting – which talks about the Purpose, Principals and Methods of Scouting, a balanced programme, the awards and badges.
Module 6 – Changes in Scouting - provides an overview of the Movement’s history focussing on development to meet the changing needs of society.
Module 7 – Valuing Diversity – covers the policies of the Scout Association that promote diversity and considers how the individual, in their role, can help make Scouting available to all.
Module 8 – Skills of Leadership – covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to be an effective Leader.
Module 9 – Working with Adults – covers the underpinning functions required to work effectively as a member of an adult team.
Module 10 – First Aid – covers the skills and knowledge necessary to enable adults to manage an incident and provide First Aid. It is mandatory that all Leaders have some form of First Aid qualification, a First Response course being the minimum.
Modules 5 to 10 should be completed by all Section Leaders and Managers except those specific to appointments.
Module 11 – Administration (Section Leaders) - covers the records and procedures necessary for the effective administration of the Section (includes finance, insurance etc.)
Module 12 – Providing a Balanced Programme – covers ways in which a successful and balanced programme can be planned and implemented in the Section.
Module 13 – Growing the Movement (Section Leaders) – covers ways in which an adult working with a Section can work with their Group Scout Leader and others to plan and implement growth in his/her Group and Section.
Module 14 - Young People Today – enables adults working with Sections to identify the needs of young people in their Section.
Module 15 – Challenging Behaviour – enables adults to prevent and manage challenging behaviour in Sections.
Module 16 – Nights Away - enables adults to plan and run residential experiences for the young people in their Section.
Module 17 – Activities Outdoors – enables adults to plan and run exciting,. safe and developmental activities outdoors for the young people in their Section.
Module 18 – Practical Skills – enables adults to gain and develop practical skills for the benefit of young people in their Section.
Module 19 – International – provides an international focus appropriate to the Section and appreciate the global nature of Scouting.
Modules 11 to 19 should be completed by all Section Leaders and Section Supporters.
Module 20 –Administration - covers the records and procedures necessary for the effective administration of Groups, Districts and Regions as applicable (including personal and financial records, insurance issues and accident and emergency procedures.)
Module 21 – Growing the Movement – covers ways in which a Manager in Scouting can plan, execute the growth of and facilitate change in the delivery of Scouting in the appropriate area.
Module 22 – Section Support – enables adults not directly working with young people to understand the Sectional Programmes, Section Method and Section characteristics so that they may provide effective management and support.
Module 23 – Safety for Managers and Supporters - covers specific roles. Responsibilities and systems for ensuring safe Scouting.
Module 24 – Managing Adults – covers the skills and knowledge required to enable Leaders to provide effective management of adults.
Module 25 - Assessing Learning – provides the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to effectively support adults through The Scout Association’s Wood Badge and other assessed schemes.
Module 26 – Supporting Adults - covers the skills and knowledge required to enable supporters to provide effective support to adults in Sections.
Other Supporters should complete Modules 20 to 23, 25 and 26. Managers should complete Modules 20 to 25 and Section Supporters should complete Modules 23, 25 and 26. For those wishing to become Training Advisers it is necessary to complete Module 25 and have it validated.
Module 27 – Instructing Practical Skills – provides skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to instruct practical skills.
Module 28 – Facilitating - provides skills, knowledge and attitudes to facilitate individuals and small groups.
Module 29 – Presenting – provides the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to make effective presentations.
Module 30 – Supporting Local Learning – provides skills and attitudes to co-ordinate the learning plans of individuals and to produce a programme of learning for the District.
Module 31 – Planning a Learning Experience – provides the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to research and design training experiences.
Module 32 – Delivering a Learning Experience – provides the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to plan prepare and run a training experience.
Module 33 – Planning a Learning Provision – provides the skills, knowledge and attitudes to enable a plan to meet the needs of a Region.
Module 34 – Managing a Learning Provision – provides the skills, knowledge and attitudes to ensure the learning provision of a Region.
Module 35 – Internal Moderation – provides the skills, knowledge and attitudes to monitor the quality of The Scout Association’s Adult Training Scheme.
Module 36 – Special Needs – provides information, support and resources for those working with young people with Special Needs.
Modules 27 to 36 are intended for those Leaders who wish to participate in training experiences as Trainers or Tutors and are particularly relevant to Assistant Regional/District Commissioners (Adult Training).
Module 37 - Adult Appointment Process – presently being written and the new process will take effect from 1st October, 2008.
PERSONAL LEARNING PLAN
When preparing the plan it may not be necessary for Leaders to complete every module. The Scout Association recognises prior learning and should the Leader have done similar courses, at work for instance, on the production of some form of evidence, they will have completed the module. The Region is taking a common sense approach to training and ensuring that Leaders do not have to repeat courses. This is particularly relevant when Leaders change appointments. It is not necessary to repeat the modules already completed, only those relevant to the new Section.
TRAINING ADVISER
On appointment, Leaders will be assigned a Training Adviser who will meet with them and assist in the preparation of the Personal Learning Plan. The Training Adviser, is usually an experienced Leader, is there for support and assistance and to guide through the preparation of the plan. He/she will assist in the validation of the modules. Validation is a process whereby, after the Leader has attended the module, the Training Adviser will take him/her through several situations or questions to ensure that the Scouter has understood the experience. Sometimes, validation comes in the form of a project or portfolio.
ONGOING LEARNING
Completing the modules or gaining a Wood Badge is not the end of the story. Every adult with an appointment in the Association is required to complete five hours ongoing learning each year. This is to ensure they continue to acquire new skills and keep up to date with new trends and policies. The ongoing learning could be as simple as attending a District Meeting.
Information and guidance on training can be obtained from the following:
FORTH REGION
Assistant Regional Commissioner (Adult Training)
Isobel Aitchison
Tel: 07719373880
Email: isobelaitchison@btinternet.comCLACKMANNANSHIRE DISTRICT
Assistant District Commissioner (Adult Training)
Alex Steele
Tel: 01259 218 718
Email: alex_steele59@hotmail.comFALKIRK DISTRICT
Assistant District Commissioner (Adult Training)
Ann Gilchrist
Tel: 01324 623 806
Email: contactanngilchrist@hotmail.comSTIRLING AND TROSSACHS DISTRICT
Assistant District Commissioner (Adult Training)
Rosemary Fletcher
Tel: 01786 465 182
Email: rosemary@coxithill.freeserve.co.ukWEST LOTHIAN DISTRICT
Assistant District Commissioner (Adult Training)
Ellen Nicol
Tel: 01506 439 823
Email: ellen.nicol@homecall.co.uk
Explanation
Section Leaders – those Leaders taking part in Beavers, Cubs, Scouts etc.
Section Supporters – Assistant Regional/District Commissioners
Other Supporters – Regional Team
Managers – District Commissioners, Group Scout Leaders
Trainers – those qualified to organise training experiences.
