New Leader Onboarding Information

Steps to Becoming a Leader

There are four main steps to becoming a leader:

1. Gathering personal details and performing a criminal records check (DBS check);

2. Completing the "Getting Started" modules of the training programme

3. Going to see the Appointments Committee.

4. Start wearing your uniform and be invested as a Member of the Scout Association

1. Personal Details and DBS Check

This Adult Information Form needs to be completed and sent to the Group Scout Leader and Group Administrator. Personal details can then be entered into the national database (called Compass).

For the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) application you will be contacted by our DBS Administrator, you will need to complete an identification check.

2. "Getting Started" Training Modules

The Scout training programme is designed to help us all fulfil our roles easily. Each role has slightly different training requirements, whether you are a cub leader, the treasurer or organise the waiting list.

For most leader roles these e-learning modules need to be completed:

1. Essential Information (Module 1)

2. Safeguarding

3. Safety

4. General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) Training

5. Tools for the Role (Section Leaders) (Module 3)

You will receive an electronic certificate (either a PDF or JPG file) upon completion of each module which needs to be sent to the Group Scout Leader and the Group Administrator.

You will then meet up with your Training Advisor who will validate these training modules for you and sign them off in the national database.

Your Training Advisor will then guide you through the final "getting started" training module: Personal Learning Plan (module 2)

A quick word on First Aid training - as you would probably expect, all our leaders need to be First Aid trained. You will receive information about this once you have completed these "Getting Started" Training modules.

3. The Appointment Committee

This is only an informal chat for 15-20 mins with two or three local Scouting people which happens after you have completed the DBS check and training above.

4. Being invested and wearing the Leader Uniform

• Before you are invested you may wish to wear a Scout Leader uniform, and then after you are invested you may sew on the badges. There are purchasing options on this webpage.

• When you buy your uniform please send your receipts to our Treasurer for reimbursement. (treasurer@1stharpendenscouts.org.uk)

• Please contact Brian Abrey for a Group Scarf, every member of 1st Harpenden receives their first scarf free of charge. (brianabrey@gmail.com)

• Your section leader will provide the badges for you when you are invested.

Emails and Communications

Your email address will be added into our Online Scout Manager database and you should soon start to receive general 1st Harpenden Leader emails. Your phone number will also be added into the WhatsApp groups we use within the Group and within our Scout District. Information about how we store/use personal data can be found here on our website.

We hold All Leader meetings once per term, at either Bennets Club or the Harpenden Arms. All the 1st Harpenden Beaver, Cub and Scout leaders attend these meetings, the purpose is sharing information from UK HQ, County and District, plus sharing between leaders. We also discuss different activity ideas and a general state-of-the nation for the Scout Group as a whole.

The Scout Group has an open FaceBook ‘page’ and each section has a closed FaceBook ‘group’, please click here for access.