Adult Training
Welcome to the Swanley District Training Information pages. All adult leaders in Scouting are required to undertake training relevant to their specific role.
The provision of Training in the District and its administration is the responsibility of Angela Field, the District Local Training Manager. A team of Training Advisers, also known as Mentors, work on a one-to-one basis with learners.
Learning the ropes and skills to progress within the training scheme is the learners responsibility supported by their Group Scout Leader, Training Adviser and Local Training Manager.
Anyone new to Scouting or changing their current role to something different will find themselves back in the training loop - this should be seen as a positive aspect in ensuring that you are given the support you need to update your knowledge and fulfil your new role.
Please use this link to see the process through which you will go from registering your interest in being a leader to hopefully completing your training and gaining your Wood Badge.
There is also a very useful guide to the training scheme which you can download from here.
Below are some basic information on the training elements of your adult role in Scouting...
Training - the Basics
For all roles within the Scout Association you will require some kind of training specific to the role. As a minimum this will be Module 1, Essential information.
If you have agreed to take on a Warranted position within scouting you will be given a provisional appointment.
Soon (if you haven't already done so) you will be invited to meet with the District Appointments Advisory Committee. They are responsible for ensuring that you (and everyone else!) are suitable to undertake a role in Scouting and are in the right role for you.
Starting your Training; Getting started
The first part of Training is called Getting Started. The course is run on a quarterly basis and consists of 3 training modules aimed at introducing you to your new role.
After you have met with the District Appointments Advisory Committee, our Local Training Manager, Angela Field, will contact you to invite you to a Getting Started Course, provide you with a Training File which contains full details on the training scheme. At the same time, Angela will allocate you a Training Adviser.
Module 1 Essential Information
This module contains basic information that all adults involved in Scouting need to know.
Module 3 Tools for the Job (Section Leaders)
This contains basic information about the job, and practical help for working within a section.
Module 4 Tools for the Job (Managers)
This module contains the basic information on the responsibilities of the job, and practical help for making a start.
Module 6 Changes in Scouting
This module gives an overview on Scouting’s history and development over the last Century.
You will then be required to put the learning from each module into practice. This is sometimes referred to as Validation. Validation could be an observation by another leader, written evidence, a photograph or just talking to your Training Adviser about what you have done. The module is then signed off as having been completed and in due course you will receive a certificate of completion from The Scout Association.
When you have completed the requirements for Getting Started, and your appointment has been confirmed, you will receive recognition of your full appointment.
Meeting your Training Adviser
Shortly after attending Getting Started you will meet with your appointed Training Adviser who will explain the training scheme in more detail.
The Training Adviser’s job is to help you identify which of the modules you need to complete and then decide with you whether you need to complete any training for them or not, taking prior experience into account. Between you, you will complete a personal learning plan.
Module 2: Personal Learning Plan
To complete the plan the learner, along with their Training Advisor will need to;
- identify the modules required for their role
- decide if they require learning
- choose their methods of learning
- agree timescales for the above
- agree the date for the next review
More on Validation
This is when the ability of the new learner to use a skill in practice is confirmed. All modules relevant to the new learner’s role must be validated regardless of whether the skills were gained by previous experience or by planned learning. Choices of validation activities are given in the adults' personal file. Normally two validation activities are required. Ideally these should be part of the new learner’s normal role, not additional projects!
Validation should be simple and effective and might include;
- Observing the learner doing something, such as running an activity with young people or chairing a meeting.
- Looking at the paperwork that they have already produced such as programmes or records kept.
