We want all our volunteers to have the skills and knowledge they need to feel confident to keep young people safe and help them gain skills for life.

We organise learning at Scouts in what we call the Learning Tree. It’s made up of:

Safety, Safeguarding and First Response learning need to renewed every three years.

Step 1 – Growing Roots

Growing Roots is the learning you need to do within your first six months as a new volunteer, with Safety & Safeguarding completed within the first 30 days. It covers the basics of Scouts, safety, data protection and creating an inclusive environment.

Growing Roots for everyone

This is the learning that all new volunteers need to complete within their first six months.

The only people who don’t need to complete this learning are Presidents, Vice Presidents, Non Member – Needs Disclosure, Retired Members and Designated Carers.

It consists of:

• Safety
• Safeguarding
• Creating Inclusion
• Data Protection in Scouts
• Who we are and what we do

Growing Roots for Team Members

This is the learning some people need to do. The following is required as a Team Member:-

• Delivering a great programme

First Response

Although not technically a part of Growing Roots learning, First Response must be completed by group level Lead Volunteers within 12 months of starting a role.

Step 2 – Branching Out

Branching Out learning is for when you want to stretch yourself and develop your skills and knowledge.

Some of the Branching Out learning is required if you want to do certain things – like learning for our accreditations. Other learning is there for if, and when, it’s helpful for you.

It covers a wide range of topics, from practical Scouts skills and how to deliver adventurous activities, to how to manage projects and events. Delivery methods vary with some content designed to be delivered face-to-face, in practical skills workshops for example, or as online content on the My Learning digital tool.

You can see what Branching Out will look like by exploring our Learning Tree.