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From Ashford District Scouts

Young Leaders' Training Scheme ... 

This page is here to give an overview of the Young Leaders’ Training Scheme, both from the point of view of the Young Person and also the Section Leader.

The Young Persons View

The Young Leader Training Scheme is an opportunity for young people, aged between 14 and 18 years old, to gain experience as a leader at a Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop. This experience is combined with a full Training Programme provided by the District Explorer Scout Commissioner, in conjunction with the County Explorer Scout Team.

The reasons for taking part in this scheme are many, but include, for the Service component of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme or just a desire to stay involved with the Group where you were a Beaver, Cub or Scout. Whatever your motivation is for becoming a Young Leader, you MUST be registered with your Ashford's Explorer Scout Commissioner.

Depending on your own requirements, you can be just a young leader or combine it with your membership of a District Explorer Scout Unit. Your annual membership fees will not be affected by being a member of more than one Unit, and it is hoped that the Scout Group you are assisting will contribute towards your costs. You can get more information regarding this from your Explorer Scout Leader or the Group Scout Leader of the Group you assist. Whether you are part of an Explorer Scout Unit or not, all District and County activities are open to you.

As mentioned above, there is a full Training Programme available to all Explorer Scout Young Leaders. This programme is split into separate Modules to bring it into line with the Adult Training Programme, as anything you complete within your Young Leader Training will be taken into consideration when you apply for your Adult Leader Warrant and are profiled for your Training requirements.

All Young Leaders MUST complete Module A (Prepare For Take-Off) within 3 months of joining or beginning to help within a Scout Group. On completion of this Module, you will be presented with the Young Leader Award (pictured above) which you wear on your Uniform. Wear this badge with pride as it is recognition of your commitment and dedication to Scouting that you have received, completed and understood your initial Leadership Training.

Being a Young Leader is a rewarding and enjoyable role within a Scout Group. You will be supported by both the Section Leader and the District Explorer Scout Commissioner and will be actively encouraged to undertake the remaining Training Modules and Missions of the Award Scheme.

Enjoy being a Young Leader, one of the most valuable members of any Sectional Leadership Team.

The Adults View

The definition of a Young Leader is a young person, between 14 and 18 years of age, who wishes to assist within a Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop. These young people can, and do, have a major role to play within the sections they work in. However, it must be remembered that Young Leaders are young people of the Association and the following rules must be adhered to by the Section Leader of the Colony, Pack or Troop that the Young Leader works with:

The Young Leader MUST be registered with the District Explorer Scout Provision. If he or she is not registered with the District Provision then the Young Person is NOT A MEMBER OF THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION. The Young Leader MUST complete Module A (Prepare For Take-Off) of the Young Leaders’ Training Scheme within 3 months of joining the Young Leaders Unit and/or starting to help at the section concerned. On completion of this Module the Young Leader will be presented with the Young Leaders’ Award, to be worn on his or her Uniform. Until the Young Leader has completed Module A he or she MUST NOT be allowed to work with any younger Section unless he or she is under strict 100% supervision by a Warranted Adult Leader.

It is vitally important for Warranted Adult Leaders to recognise that a Young Leader is not a Warranted position and, with this in mind, the Young Leader should not be given the responsibilities of a Warranted Adult Leader. It is the Section Leader’s responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of the Young Leader. It should be kept in mind that for camps and adventurous activities the Young Leader’s parent or carer has to give permission for the Young Leader to participate in these activities. Sleeping arrangements on residential experiences should take into account that the Young Leader must not share accommodation with either the Adult Leaders or the young people in the Section in which they work. No Group Section may have any more than 3 Young Leaders registered and working with it at any point in time. It is recommended that Young Leaders within the Scout Section have a minimum of a 6 month break from leaving the Scout Troop and becoming a Young Leader within the same Scout Troop.

There is a full Training Scheme for Young Leaders which they should be encouraged to undertake with the support of the Explorer Scout Section and from the Group Section the Young Leader is working with.

Explorer Scouts doing leadership for Duke of Edinburgh Awards must be registered with the Young Leader Unit for the period of their service. Young People from outside the Scout Association who are completing the Service Component of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards must also be registered with the District Explorer Scout Provision. If they are a member at census time Membership Fees (Capitation) must be paid for them. The only exception to this rule would be if the Young Person is already a registered member of the Guide Association.

With the right support (and understanding of the role of the Young Leaders’ Training Scheme) the Young Leader is a valuable resource to any Group Section and we are already beginning to see the first Young Leaders become warranted leaders as they reach 18.