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Recognising Our Fellow Volunteers

Recognising Our Fellow Volunteers

6 Feb 2025

Picture of John Bruce

John Bruce

Awards Team Leader

Saying thank you and well done is one of the simplest, but most powerful ways to recognise our fellow volunteers. It really does count for so much. That’s why our award scheme is so important.

Recognising people’s contribution in a meaningful way will leave them feeling valued and motivated. The new membership system makes it easier to nominate someone who deserves to be thanked for their good service. I would encourage you to put people forward for an award and make them feel even more special – beyond a simple word of thanks.

We know you’re busy with Scouts and your other commitments, which is why the nomination process has been made as simple as possible. You should find everything you need below: More Information about the Awards Scheme can be found here and your guide to making a nomination can be found at the Awards page

Congratulations to our John Kennedy

South East Scotland Scouts are delighted that John Kennedy, who was the Edinburgh Area Commissioner when the Region was formed in 2008, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

John has held a wide variety of roles at local, District and National level, where he is currently the Treasurer for Scouts Scotland.

Over 46 years supporting Scouting, John’s dedication, enthusiasm and leadership have allowed many young people to gain #SkillsForLife and this honour is very well deserved.

 

Congratulations John from all your friends in South East Scotland Scouts.

In addition, congratulations to those members of South East Scotland who have recently received awards for the work they do in supporting Scouting in our Region.

Learning Update – February 2025

Learning Update – February 2025

5 Feb 2025

Picture of Mike Treanor

Mike Treanor

Volunteer Development Lead

My Learning

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:

Growing Roots: The learning all new volunteers need to do within their first six months. Learn more about Growing Roots

Branching Out: The learning you can choose to do to develop your knowledge further and get accreditations. Learn more about Branching Out

My Learning Digital Tool

This link provides guidance on how to start a new learning, credit skills, check your team’s learning and create a learning report.

New Safety Module

A reminder that all members will need to complete a new Safety Module by 14th July 2025 (or before that if your existing Safety Module expires before that date). The Safety Module can be accessed via My Learning on the membership system. Its takes approximately 45 minutes to complete and you can start the module, save it, and go back to it later to complete it. 

First Response

First Response learning need to be undertaken by adult volunteers in the following roles:

  • Group Lead Volunteers
  • Section Team Members (including those who were previously Sectional Assistants)
  • Section Team Leaders
  • 14-24 Team Leaders 

New volunteers in these roles must undertake First Response within one year and previous Sectional Assistants who are now Team Members, must complete First Response within the next two years.

 

There are three main ways to complete First Response:

  1. Attend a f2f First Response Course (usually 9.30am to 4.30pm) – we have a range of courses available during qtr. 1 – you can register here

  2. Undertake First Response via the Blended Model where you do some online learning (3 hours), attend an online confirmation session (2.5 hours), and then attend a f2f practical session (30 mins). Details of the Blended model can be found here and you can register for the online learning at First Response e-learning 2025

  3. Undertake an External First Response Course e.g. FAW or BASP and/or present your Professional Qualifications as evidence as having the appropriate First Response Skills. You will need to send your course certificate or details of your professional qualifications to firstresponse@sesscouts.org.uk . A Regional First Response Trainer will validate your learning/experience and confirm whether it meets Scouting requirements or whether you need to do some additional learning e.g. Child CPR.
Update on Digital Tools

Update on Digital Tools

5 Feb 2025

Picture of Mike Treanor

Mike Treanor

Volunteer Development Lead

Signing into the new Membership System

If you have not yet signed into the new Membership System or are having difficulty doing so, you can find out how to gain access via this link

Please note when you register or reset your password, the system sends a verification code to your login email, to verify the account. This verification code doesn’t come from ‘Scouts’, instead from Microsoft on behalf of prodscoutsb2c (msonlineservicesteam@microsoftonline.com), which means it’s going into some people’s spam/junk folder – you may need to check these folders.

Benefits of New System

Many of our adult volunteers are using the new membership system to access their personal profile and learning, to submit Nights Away Notifications, to nominate fellow volunteers for awards and to apply for permits. For many the system is a significant improvement on Compass.

Upgrades to the Digital System

UK Scouts have acknowledged that some improvements are needed especially for those volunteers who lead teams. You can find the latest a) resolved and b) planned updates and interim solutions for known issues within the digital tools here.

  1. Resolved issues
  2. Digital system updates

If you are having any difficulties or have any questions about the new digital tools, please speak to your team leader or email transformation@sesscouts.org.uk

Learning Update – November 2024

Learning Update – November 2024

30 Nov 2024

Picture of Mike Treanor

Mike Treanor

Volunteer Development Lead

New Safety Learning Module to be completed by July 2025 by all volunteers. 

On My Learning (the new learning tool which will be available when the new Digital system goes live in a few days), each volunteer will see they have a new Safety e-learning module to complete, as well as an updated expiry date for their mandatory safety learning. 

All volunteers will be expected to complete the new learning by 14 July 2025. 

In the new year, UK Scouts will email all volunteers to start the six-month completion period. But the new module can be completed from the point each volunteer accesses My Learning, if any volunteer wishes to complete it earlier. 

It is estimated that the new Safety e-learning module takes between 45 and 60 minutes to complete- you can pause the learning and continue at a later date. 

First Response

Module A and B sessions  

The demand for First Response sessions across South East Scotland has increased significantly over the last few months and will continue to do so, largely due to the impact of Covid and the timing of sessions three years ago. To accommodate this, we have run or have scheduled 15 Module A and B sessions between September and December this year, accommodating nearly 200 volunteers. Huge thanks to Mary Dick, Martin Southern and Vicki Moyes who have run the majority of these sessions. We hope to have more sessions in the diary from early in the New Year – details can be found here. 

Blended Model  

An alternative to attending a f2f session is to undertake First Response via the Blended Model which combines a 2.5-hour eLearning with a three-hour online session for the learning (10A). The practical validation (10B) is a short (15-20min) face to face session which covers the practical elements of the life support training.   The eLearning must be completed first. The online session is a live video call facilitated by a First Response trainer, with some more detailed knowledge checking exercises and discussions.  Volunteers can only attend the practical validation (10B) once the learning (10A) is completed.  SES and Scouts Scotland run the online session and SES run the 10B session. Details of the Blended Model can be found here 

Certificates and Qualifications  

If you have undertaken an external course e.g. BASP, RYA or FAW to undertake your Scout First Response requirement then you must send your certificate to firstresponse@sesscouts.org.uk to have this validated by a Regional First Response Trainer. They will either validate you for First Response or provide information about any additional requirements that you may have to do to ensure you have completed all elements of Scout First Response e.g. demonstrate Child CPR.  

In addition, if you have a qualification or a job e.g. paramedic, police, doctor, dentist etc which you think covers the requirements for Scout First Response  then you must send details to firstresponse@sesscouts.org.uk to have this validated by a Regional First Response Trainer 

Information for All Former Section Assistants (now Section Team Members)  

UK Scouts are transforming the experience for all our volunteers, and we are excited to highlight the specific opportunity this presents for our valued Section Assistants like yourself. 

In your section we are moving to a teams-based approach where tasks can be shared easily amongst team members. Each section will have a Team Leader and several Team Members. When you log in to the new digital system next week your role will have changed from a Section Assistant to a Team Member. 

You might have heard that there will be a little bit more learning required to help you make this contribution to your section, but we want to support you every step of the way to grow, develop, and make an even greater impact in Scouts. 

Here’s what’s ahead: 

✅ The new Growing Roots learning is a brilliant way to enhance your skills and confidence. Many of you may already have completed key modules like Safety, Safeguarding, and GDPR—Thanks for doing this. More details about Growing Roots can be found here. here 

✅ To ensure we’re delivering the best possible experience for our young people; you’ll also complete Delivering a Great Programme and Creating Inclusion online learning within the next six months. 

✅ And because safety is our priority, a First Response course will need to be completed, but you have two years to get this done.  

Before this improvement to the volunteer experience, taking on a section assistant role was an effective way of avoiding the burden of having to complete Wood Badge training in order to volunteer. Becoming a Team Member makes you an even more valued volunteer within your team with access to appropriate learning for your role. 

This is more than just training—it’s a chance to build your skills, connect with fellow volunteers, and ensure that Scouts is inclusive, exciting, and impactful for everyone. 

Together, we’re creating a brighter future for The Scouts —and your leadership is key to making that happen! 🌍💚 

Update on Digital Tools

The New Digital System is Live

29 Nov 2024

Picture of Mike Treanor

Mike Treanor

Volunteer Development Lead

A reminder that the new Digital System is now live and all members of South East Scotland can access the system via Scouts website. We would encourage you to access the new system.  

First Steps Checklist

The first steps checklist which outlines what you need to do when first using the new digital system can be found here 

Support using the New System

If you have any queries or need support, please use the resources available via these links first:  Changes to our Volunteer Experience  – a reminder of what is changing to improve the volunteer experience, and what you need to do to be ready.  UK Scouts Knowledge Base and Frequently asked questions and answers about Transformation, Digital Systems and Learning.  Digital Tool Guides – covering various tasks that can be undertaken once you have signed into the Digital System   South East Scotland Go Live Support Page - including your District support contact points for any queries you may have.  If you need further support, please use the contact point below for your District:   Many thanks for your continued support to Scouting in South East Scotland  
Learning Update – November 2024

Learning Update – October 2024

26 Oct 2024

Picture of Mike Treanor

Mike Treanor

Volunteer Development Lead

Getting Started

With Transformation coming in November, it is important that anyone on a pre-provisional or provisional appointment, completes and has validated the current Getting Started modules (GDPR, Safety, Safeguarding, Module 1 and Modules 3 or 4). Validation of these modules will go towards completion of Growing Roots in the new system but must be validated in advance of the Compass Freeze on 7th November.

Growing Roots

The replacement for Getting Started in the new system will be Growing Roots. Within 30 days of starting to volunteer with Scouts, new volunteers must complete:

  • Safe Scouting

Within 6 months of commencing, all new volunteers will need to complete:

  • Who we are and what we do.
  • Data protection for Scouts.
  • Creating Inclusion.

Plus depending on your role, one of the following:

  • Delivering a great programme (Section Team Leaders and Members)
  • Leading Scout Volunteers (Lead Volunteers and Team Leaders, except Section Team Leaders)
  • Being a Trustee in Scouts (new Trustees)

Information on how current volunteers training maps into the new scheme can be found here follow this link to our website for more info.

First Response

Volunteers who work directly with young people will also need to complete First Response training within one year of starting.  SES are providing a number of First Response Courses – details can be found here South East Scotland Scouts Training Team Events – 20 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite

Modules 10a and 10b Validation

Volunteers who have validated First Response Modules 10a and 10b using an external qualification (i.e. not Scout first response training) may be contacted by the SES First Response Training team over the coming weeks to establish which first aid certificate they used for validation (unfortunately in most cases Compass does not hold this information). Depending on the first aid certificate used, volunteers may be asked to complete a small amount of additional learning to cover all areas of the Scouts first response syllabus. It would be helpful if you are contacted by the SES First Response Training Team in this regard that you respond to the actions requested.

Compass Freeze

Please note that prior to moving from Compass to the new membership/learning system there will be a period of time (7th to 21st November) when training records are frozen. Only fully validated training will be moved from Compass to the new system. Any modules where volunteers have completed learning but not had this learning validated will not be moved across to the new system.

No validation of the existing modules linked to Getting Started/Growing Roots can be carried out during the Compass freeze, In addition, it will not be possible to add validations relating to the current modules to the new system. The learner will need to complete the relevant Growing Roots module e.g. if you have completed Module 3 (Tools for the Role – Section Leaders) but not had this validated before the change freeze, you will need to do the new Delivering a Great Programme module in Growing Roots.

Where modules have been completed which are not part of Getting Started/Growing Roots e.g. Growing the Section Module 13, Introduction to Residential Experiences Module 16, if the validation is not done before the Change Freeze, there will be an opportunity to add this learning manually to your learning profile post the change freeze and to subsequently validate this learning.

It is important that all existing Section Assistants (who will become Team Members in their sections) are fully briefed by their Groups that when the new system goes live they’ll need to complete three items of learning – Delivering a Great Programme; Creating Inclusion and First Response (over the next 2 years).

More details can be found here 

Please contact your Training Advisor, line manager or ADC (Adult Training) for help with validation.

Go Live Key Information

As part of our Regional Go Live Support, we have created an GoLive Hub in which you can get the latest critical information with everything coming up over the next few weeks during this critical phase of transformation. I would encourage you all to check these pages out as they will be updated with any and all important announcements and information. Below is a summary of some of the key dates and tasks.

Visit our GoLive Hub here 

  • Add any new volunteers or roles to Compass by 24 October

  • Any permit applications will need to be completed by 24 October

  • Check your email address is correct, and accessible. There are
    restrictions, for guidance check this video
  • If you are doing a nights away between 7 & 25 November,
    NANs will need to be submitted by 30 October at the latest.

  • All learning, including Safety & Safeguarding must be completed,
    validated and recorded on Compass by 6 November
  • You will need to register for the new system once you receive the
    email from UK Scouts indicating the system is live for you.

  • If you do not receive an email by 25 November you will need
    to let your GLV know so they can follow up.

  • You will need to access the new system as you will need to:
    • check/update your personal details
    • access learning courses
    • submit paperwork for activities and camps
    e.g. permit requests, risk assessments, NANs etc

  • Watch this Short video about the new digital system.

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