What Training do in need to do ?

All Section Leaders and Assistant Section Leaders in Scouting are required to undertake mandatory Getting Started training within five months of starting the role. This ensures, as much as possible, that you understand your role, responsibilities and duties as leaders, and that you are confident to take the first steps. Once Getting Started is completed you should progress work on completing your Wood Badge (see below).

Getting Started training is largely accessed online through eLearning. If you cannot use online learning, please contact your Group Scout Leader or Local Training Manager who can support you with alternative access. After each piece of eLearning, you will be able to print out a certificate*, which shows that you have covered the content shown and that you understand it. This certificate should then be sent to your Group Scout Leader, Training Adviser or Local Training Manager who will record completion on your training page in Compass.

*All Getting Started modules provide a certificate once the self assessment, at the end of the module, has been completed. The exception is Module 3 which is validated with a Training Adviser or by using On Line Validation. Details of both of these are set out later in this text.

All Section Leaders and Assistant Section Leaders are required to do the following Getting Started training modules.

Module 1 – Essential information covers:
• The structure and organisation of Scouting
• Sources of information and support for members
• The Purpose, Values and Method of Scouting
• Some key facts about our history
Go to the Module 1 eLearning

Safety covers:
• The Safety policy of The Scout Association
• Our role in keeping adults and young people safe
Go to the Safety eLearning

Safeguarding covers:
• The Safeguarding policy of The Scout Association
• Our role in safeguarding young people
Go to the Safeguarding eLearning

General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) covers:
• The rules around what information we may collect
• How we keep information
• How we dispose of information
Go to the online GDPR eLearning

Module 3 – Tools for the role covers:
• The key features of the Section
• The roles in a Section
• Programme methods and Youth shaped scouting
• Promoting Positive Behaviours
Go to the Module 3 eLearning

Personal Learning Plan covers:
• An explanation of the Training Scheme (Wood Badge)
• Making your own plan for your learning
• Sources of training support

How long do I have to complete my Getting Started training?

You should complete your Getting Started training within 5 months of taking on a role.

Is my training complete once I have done Getting Started training?

Getting Started, as the name suggests, gives you enough information to get started in your role, safely and with an idea of what you need to do.

What is next ?

The next stage is to complete a Wood Badge which covers a wide range of skills and knowledge relevant to your role. You have 3 years to complete your Wood Badge and can do it in the order that suits you, your needs and the needs of your role.
During a PLP discussion (part of Getting Started training) you will be advised about the Wood Badge and help you to make plans for your own training. So, by the time you have completed your Getting Started you will hopefully feel confident about your training, what you want to do when and how you can use it to best effect.

Wood Badge
The Wood Badge is an internationally recognised Scouting Training award which is presented when you have completed all of the training for your role. It signifies that you have the appropriate knowledge and skills for the role; and that you are able to apply it to your Scouting. In completing a Wood Badge you will explore many aspects of Scouting, including but not limited to: Planning and running programmes, promoting positive behaviour, Nights Away experiences, practical skills, International Scouting and working with adults. This training helps you feel competent and capable of delivering fantastic Scouting for young people and to really enjoy doing it.

You have three years to complete our Wood Badge from the point that we take on the role

Who can help you ?

Training Adviser (TA) – Most TA’s will have other Scouting roles so they are very likely to “speak your language” and understand your issues and questions. Sadly, we do not have enough TA’s to go round everyone at the moment so, if you have not been allocated a TA, please contact your Local Training Manager.

Local Training Manager (LTM) – The LTM supports the TA’s and provides information and guidance to the Scout District. If you do not know who is your LTM, please search at the following LINK

Your Group Scout Leader (GSL) or District Explorer Scout Commissioner(DESC) – Your GSL or DESC (if you are an Explorer Scout Leader) can validate many of your Getting Started modules (not Module 3). They may be able to support with a witness testimony or provide you with opportunities to put your learning into practice or contacts to find out more about training or your role.

Other Leaders in your Section – your Section colleagues can provide support and guidance and give you help and opportunities to run activities, events or carry out the necessary administration that would provide evidence for your learning validation.

A quick guide to the training modules is covered in the MODULE MATRIX. More information will be in the Adult Personal File, County Website (Learners Hub – see below) or from your TA / LTM.

Do I need a course for every module ?

Learning is learning the skills and knowledge needed. You may already have this from your job or a previous role in scouting. If not, you may learn it on the job, or do specific training. Training can be done as self-study using an online course or a workbook (not all modules have this option) or you can attend an instructor-led course. This is a great opportunity to meet other new leaders and chat about the learning and your experience in scouting.

For eLearning, always keep a copy of your certificate so that you can share it with your line manager (GSL or DESC), your TA or your LTM .

What is validation ?

Validation is the way that we show that we know something and that we can use it in practice. Sometimes validation is covered as part of the learning, as with most of the online Getting Started Modules, at other times it is a separate process from the learning and is carried out through discussion with a Training Adviser or using our online portal – On Line Validation.

Somerset Learning Hub

Everything that you need to know about your training is included in the Learners Hub on the County Website. It brings together resources on The Scouts website and local resources that we’ve created to support all learners. It has links to useful resources such as

• Adults Personal File,
• On-line training
• Training Courses & Workbooks
• Information, documents and links to support your learning and help you with validation
• Validation methods and information

Finally, what happens after completing the Wood Badge ?

The Wood Badge is completed in relation to an appointment that you hold with a Section. If you change Section during the completion of your Wood Badge or after completion, this will impact your training requirements. For further information, see the page “What happens if I change Section or Role ?”

You are also required to maintain your knowledge of the three elements of Mandatory Training – Safety, Safeguarding and First Aid. These are refreshed on a three year cycle to ensure that you remain up to date with current requirements and procedures. You are also required to undertake a minimum of 5 hours additional learning every year. This can be any activity, workshop, training course etc which supports and benefits you and your role in Scouting. You keep a record of this within your training page on Compass. Scroll right down to the bottom of that page to find the section to enter details of date, time and event.