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 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 learner's 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 consist of 4 or 5 Training Modules. These can all be completed online, through e-learning, and are:
Module 1, Essential information.
General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
Safety
Safeguarding
Trustee Introduction (Section Leaders and Executive Committee Members)
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.
After you have met with the District Appointments Advisory Committee, our Local Training Manager, Helen Richardson, will contact you and appoint a Training Adviser to help you.
Your training will start with either Module 3 Tools for the Job (Section Leaders) or Module 4 Tools for the Job (Managers)
These Module 3 or 4 contain the basic information about the job, its responsibilities, and some practical help. You will need to complete the on-line learning, and then 'validate' that learning by demonstrating that you have fully understood everything and can put the learning into practice. Validation could be an observation by another leader, written evidence, a photograph or just talking to your Training Adviser about what you have done.
Module 10a and 10b First Aid (First Response)
These two modules give you the skills to deal with common medical emergencies that could happen. Module 10a is a series of 3 online Sessions where you learn the basics. Module 10b is your chance to prove your knowledge through practical demonstration.
Your Training Adviser
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
Once you have completed all these modules, your role will be confirmed as having a 'full' status. As a Leader, you will now be able to start on your Wood Badge training. Gaining the Wood Badge signifies that you have completed all the necessary training for your role.
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 your Manager's or Adult's 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.