Learning helps our volunteers provide safe, inclusive and high-quality Scouting. It gives adults and Young Leaders the knowledge and practical skills they need to support young people, deliver activities and contribute effectively as part of a team.
Whether you are a parent, an existing volunteer or considering joining us, this page explains the learning available and the requirements associated with different roles.
Learning for adult volunteers
Adults in Scouting complete learning appropriate to their role. This gives volunteers the knowledge they need to work safely, support young people and contribute effectively as part of a team.
When someone starts volunteering, their required learning is shown in Scouts’ online learning system. For adults working directly with young people, getting started normally includes the following online learning.
Essential learning
Safeguarding
How to recognise, respond to and report safeguarding concerns, and how we keep children, young people and adults at risk safe in Scouts.
Safety
How we manage risk, plan activities safely, respond to incidents and make safety part of everyday Scouting.
Growing Roots
Who we are and what we do
An introduction to Scouts, our values, how we work and the support available to volunteers.
Creating inclusion
Practical ways to challenge assumptions and discrimination, make reasonable adjustments and help Scouts remain A Place to Belong for everyone.
Delivering a great programme
How we plan and deliver safe, exciting and youth-shaped programmes that help young people develop skills for life.
Data protection in Scouts
How to collect, use, share, store and securely dispose of personal information.
Adults may be asked to sign in to their Scouts account before accessing the learning.
A Place to Belong
Scouts should be A Place to Belong for every young person and adult volunteer.
Our learning helps volunteers understand how to create welcoming and inclusive environments where people are respected, supported and able to participate. This includes considering individual needs, challenging discrimination and removing unnecessary barriers to involvement.
Creating a sense of belonging is part of everyone’s role. It affects how we welcome new members, plan activities, communicate, make decisions and work together as teams.
First Response
All adults in section-facing roles are required to gain a suitable First Response qualification within 12 months of starting their role. Young Leaders also complete First Response as part of their training.
First Response is designed around the situations volunteers may encounter during Scout meetings, activities, events and nights away. It covers emergency first aid, but its scope is broader than a typical workplace-focused First Aid at Work course.
- assessing and managing an incident;
- responding to unconsciousness and breathing difficulties;
- cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator;
- bleeding, burns, fractures and head injuries;
- asthma attacks, allergic reactions, seizures and other medical emergencies;
- illness and injury involving children and young people;
- emotional distress and mental health emergencies; and
- obtaining appropriate medical assistance.
The purpose is to ensure that adults and Young Leaders can recognise when something is wrong, provide suitable immediate care and obtain further help when needed.
Young Leaders remain young people themselves and are not expected to take the place of an adult first aider. Their First Response learning gives them useful skills and confidence while they continue to work under appropriate adult supervision.
Young Leader training
Young Leaders are Explorer Scouts who volunteer with Squirrel, Beaver, Cub or Scout sections. They are members of the section team, but remain young people themselves and must be supported and supervised appropriately by adult volunteers.
The Young Leaders’ Scheme combines practical experience with structured training. It helps Young Leaders develop confidence, communication, teamwork and leadership skills while contributing to the programme.
- the purpose and values of Scouting;
- safeguarding and keeping young people safe;
- First Response;
- understanding different age groups;
- planning and delivering activities;
- communication and leadership;
- promoting positive behaviour;
- making activities inclusive and accessible;
- working effectively with adult volunteers; and
- reviewing and improving activities.
Young Leaders also complete practical missions that allow them to apply their learning within a section.
Young Leaders can make a significant contribution to a team, but they do not replace the adult volunteers responsible for the section. Adult team members remain responsible for appropriate supervision, safeguarding and the safe delivery of the programme.
Find out about Young Leader training
Supporting our volunteers
Learning is only one part of volunteer support. Adults and Young Leaders also develop through practical experience, working alongside others, team discussions, mentoring and support from volunteers across the Group and District.
Nobody is expected to know everything before they begin. New volunteers can start contributing while completing the learning appropriate to their role, with support available throughout the process.
