The new training for Managers and Supporters

How the training is provided

It is for Managers, e.g. all Group Scout Leaders (GSLs), Assistant GSLs, District Commissioners (DCs), Assistant District Commissioners (ADCs); and Supporters, e.g. Assistant Regional Commissioners.  From 1 July 2017 if you are in one of these roles, you must complete this new training:

• If you are in post but have not already completed the old training or
• If you are a new manager or supporter.

Scouts Scotland now organise the specific manager and supporter training for all Scotland. Courses are listed on this page.

Read more about the scheme in more detail on the UK website.

You have three years from the date of your appointment starting as a manager or a supporter to complete the training.

There are three parts to the new training:

1. Getting Started – modules 1, 2 and 4 in the current Module Matrix and organised by the Districts.
2. Training for All Appointments – modules 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12A in the current Module Matrix and organised by the SE Scotland Regional Training Team.
3. Leadership and Management Training – this part is new and structured around six core skill areas of leadership and management plus a module of safety.  It is split into two elements:
   • Independent Learning Units – this covers the knowledge required by learners to understand the key topics of leadership and management and related Scouting processes.  The 16 learning units are mainly short videos and workbooks and there is no validation for them.
   • Skills courses – this part consists of three courses where learners have an opportunity to discuss and demonstrate different skills relating to leadership and management.
     1. Skills of Management – covers areas such as leadership styles, team building, motivation, effective communication, active listening, induction and reviews.  It is a two-day residential course and costs £50.
     2. Meeting the Challenges – this one-day course covers topics such as how to tackle difficult reviews, disputes, suspension, complaints and managing safeguarding incidents.
     3. Achieving Growth – this one-day course covers topics such as growth, development planning and the recruitment and retention of young people and adult volunteers. The one-day courses cost £5 each.

Prior learning under the old scheme will be taken into consideration and training completed under the old scheme can be used to validate certain criteria as part of the new scheme.  See Scouts Scotland for more details.

Before participating in a Skills course, managers or supporters should have completed Getting Started, Training for all Appointments and the Independent Learning Units.

You book directly on the Scouts Scotland website where you can find details, times and venues of all the courses.  You must discuss with your Assistant District Commissioner Adult Training (ADC AT) if you want to go on a course and Mary Dick, the Assistant Regional Commissioner, Adult Training, (ARC AT) must agree if you want the Region to pay for the courses.

All learners should have a special Training Adviser for Managers and Supporters (TAMS) to assist you.  They will ensure that you can put the learning into practice and validate your learning. Isabel McNab, Team Leader in the Regional Training Team, is organising their recruitment.  You or your ADC AT or your TA can contact her to organise this.  See the Adult’s Personal File for Managers and Supporters which outlines the learning that is appropriate to each role.

Your learning will be recorded on Compass in the same way as now – your training will be validated by your TAMS.  Your Wood Badge will then be awarded on the recommendation of the ARC AT.  When a new Manager or Supporter role is added to Compass, your Personal Learning Plan (PLP) will display the Getting Started modules, the Training for All Appointments, and the Leadership and Management training.