Think You Could Volunteer..?
Whether you want to get into uniform, or would rather help behind the scenes, there are roles to suit any personality. Take a look and if you think you can help, please get in touch!
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If any of these roles appeal to you, click here to find a register of interest form.
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The information about the roles detailed on this page has been taken from or adapted from information from the Scout Association's website.
The Trustee Board is a team of volunteers who work together, as charity trustees, to make sure Scouts is run safely and legally. At the heart of their role is a focus on strategy, performance and assurance. Effective Trustee Board governance helps our volunteers deliver fantastic programmes that give young people skills for life.
Click on the image to download the Scout Association's Trustee Info Pack.
Group Chair
Outline: The Chair will lead the Executive Committee, ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities within the Group. The Chair will work closely with the Group Scout Leader to achieve the purpose of The Scout Association through the development of local Scouting, in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
Responsible for: Executive Committee Members
Responsible to: The relevant Scout Council
Appointment requirements: Must successfully complete the appointment process (including acceptable personal enquiries and acceptance of The Scout Association's policies).
It's expected that whilst volunteering for this role you will undertake
regulated activity.
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The responsibilities of the Chair:
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Objectively and impartially chairing and facilitating Executive Committee meetings.
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Acting as the Chair of the relevant Scout Council.
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Planning the annual cycle of Executive Committee meetings and setting the agenda for Executive Committee meetings.
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Monitoring that decisions and actions agreed at Executive Committee meetings are implemented.
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Working closely with the GSL to ensure there are long term and short term goals and the role the Executive Committee can play in helping to achieve these.
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Providing direction for the Executive Committee.
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Ensuring that all Executive Committee Members have been briefed and inducted into their roles, receive appropriate training, and are aware of their status as charity trustees.
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Addressing and resolving conflicts that arise.
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Membership and attendance of any working groups or sub-Committees set up by the Executive Committee, where appropriate.
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General Executive Committee responsibilities:
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To be a full and active participant in Executive Committee meetings and activities.
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To uphold the responsibilities of an Executive Committee as outlined in The Scout Association’s Policy Organisation and Rules.
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Willingness and eligibility to act as a Charity Trustee for the Group.
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Contribute to the strategic aims and future development of the Group.
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An understanding of their own role, and the role of others on the Executive Committee.
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A commitment to understanding and forming opinions on the key discussion points and responsibilities of the Executive Committee.
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Willingness to complete various tasks which support the work of the Executive Committee and aims of the Group.
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Skills for a Chair:
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Strong leadership skills.
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Strong communication and inter-personal skills.
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Ability to work as part of a team.
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Able to think creatively and solve problems.
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Able to motivate others and encourage participation.
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Able to handle and resolve conflict effectively.
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Willing to speak one’s mind and listen to the views of others.
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Able to maintain independent and objective judgement.
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Willing to actively design and contribute to the strategic vision of the Group.
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Willingness to take decisions which will further the work of the Group.
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Note: any other tasks are to be agreed with the Line Manager.
Group Secretary
Outline: The Secretary will support the Chair of the Executive Committee to ensure the smooth functioning and sound administration of the Scout Group in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
Responsible to: The relevant Scout Council
Appointment requirements: Must successfully complete the appointment process (including acceptable personal enquiries and acceptance of The Scout Association's policies).
It's expected that whilst volunteering for this role you will undertake regulated activity.
The responsibilities of the Secretary:
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Provide administrative support to the running of the Executive Committee.
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Act as Secretary for the relevant Scout Council.
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Work with the Chair of the Executive Committee to set meeting agendas and arrange meeting logistics for the Executive Committee.
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Taking accurate and accessible minutes of Executive Committee meetings.
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Distributing agendas, minutes and supporting documents for Executive Committee meetings.
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Maintaining accurate records for the administration of the Group, District or County/Area/Region; including meeting minutes, census details, ownership of property and equipment, insurance and financial information.
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Ensuring the safety and security of records maintained by the Executive Committee, complying with appropriate legal requirements.
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Communicating with the Executive Committee and relevant Scout Council.
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Support the completion of the Annual Census return.
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Preparing the appropriate administration for the Annual General Meeting, including collating the Annual Report and Accounts for the Annual General Meeting.
General Executive Committee responsibilities:
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To be a full and active participant in Executive Committee meetings and activities.
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To uphold the responsibilities of an Executive Committee as outlined in The Scout Association’s Policy Organisation and Rules.
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Willingness and eligibility to act as a Charity Trustee for the Group.
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Contribute to the strategic aims and future development of the Group.
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Skills for a Secretary:
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Strong organisational skills
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Strong communication skills
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Ability to work as part of a team
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Able to think creatively and solve problems
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Good IT skills
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Ability to summarise information for different audiences
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Willing to speak one’s mind and listen to the views of others.
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Able to maintain independent and objective judgement
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Note: any other tasks are to be agreed with the Line Manager.
Group Treasurer
Outline: The Treasurer will provide sound financial administration, support and information to the Executive Committee and Group in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
Responsible to: The relevant Scout Council
Appointment requirements: Must successfully complete the appointment process (including acceptable personal enquiries and acceptance of The Scout Association's policies).
It's expected that whilst volunteering for this role you will undertake
regulated activity.
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The responsibilities of the Treasurer:
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Manage and monitor the financial activities of the Group, its Sections and Executive Committee.
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Act as Treasurer for the relevant Scout Council.
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Prepare and present financial reports and accounts to the Executive Committee.
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Leading the Executive Committee in the creation of budgets and financial planning and monitoring of these.
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Ensuring that all financial reports, annual statements of account and supporting documents (including receipts, cheque books and bank statements) are maintained accurately and in accordance with legal regulations.
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Ensuring that the Group is financially able to function, has appropriate reserves and accounting procedures and controls in place.
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Prepare the Annual Statement of Accounts for independent examination and approval by the Executive Committee and presenting these at the Annual General Meeting.
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Administering the process of Independent Examination of the Annual Statement of Accounts in accordance with Policy, Organisation and Rules.
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Membership and attendance of any finance working groups or sub-Committees set by the Executive Committee where appropriate.
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General Executive Committee responsibilities:
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To be a full and active participant in Executive Committee meetings and activities.
-
To uphold the responsibilities of an Executive Committee as outlined in The Scout Association’s Policy Organisation and Rules.
-
Willingness and eligibility to act as a Charity Trustee for the Group.
-
Contribute to the strategic aims and future development of the Group.
-
An understanding of their own role, and the role of others on the Executive Committee.
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A commitment to understanding and forming opinions on the key discussion points and responsibilities of the Executive Committee.
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Willingness to complete various tasks which support the work of the Executive Committee and aims of the Group.
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Skills for a Treasurer:
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Strong organisational skills
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Strong communication skills
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Ability to work as part of a team
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Able to think creatively and solve problems
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Previous experience of financial management or the role of a Charity Treasurer
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Able to analyse financial information effectively
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Good IT skills
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Ability to summarise financial information for different audiences
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Willing to speak one’s mind and listen to the views of others.
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Able to maintain independent and objective judgement
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Note: any other tasks are to be agreed with the Line Manager.
Group Administrator
Outline: Group Administrators are adult volunteers who support and assist in the smooth running and sound administration of the Scout Group. Often working with the Group Executive Committee.
Responsible to: Group Chair
Main Contacts: Group Executive Committee, Group Scout Leaders and Section Leaders, other Section-based volunteers and Parents/Carers.
Appointment requirements: Complete a Personal Enquiry including a Disclosure Check.
It's expected that whilst volunteering for this role you will undertake regulated activity.
The Group Administrator is not an ex-officio Trustee or a Trustee, unless elected, nominated or co-opted.
As this is a flexible role and locally defined, below are some examples of tasks that a Group Administrator might undertake.
Delivery of a Balanced Programme:
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Assisting in maintaining accurate records for the administration of the Group, including meeting minutes, census details, ownership of property and equipment, insurance and financial information.
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Coordinate the membership records of adults and young people in the Scout Group.
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Collating the national census details.
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Collating and arranging payments of the national membership fee.
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Leading and supporting the Scout Group with the Gift Aid Scheme.
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Arranging administration and logistics in relation to the meeting place.
Arranging administration and logistics in relation to Group wide events and activities.
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In order for the Young People of our group to learn #SkillsForLife and to grow and develop as they progress through the sections, we need adult volunteers to help us run meetings.
But don't worry, there's training available to give you the skills you'll need, or to help you improve on skills you already have.
Click on the image to download an adult training information leaflet.
Section Leaders
Outline: Organise a team of volunteers to plan and deliver the Squirrels / Beavers (/ Cubs / Scouts) Programme. Empowering young people to learn new skills, make new friends and learn to stand on their own two feet. No two weeks are the same, but the impact you make is always great.
Responsible to: Group Scout Leader
Responsible for: Young Leaders whilst they are working in the Section
Main Contacts: Young people and their Parents/Carers, Section team members, Group Scout Leader, Team members for the next Section up, Assistant District Commissioner for your Section, Group Treasurer
Appointment requirements:
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Complete the appointment process (including acceptable personal enquiries and acceptance of the Scout Association's policies).
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It's expected that whilst volunteering for this role you will undertake regulated activity and require a disclosure check to be completed.
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Within five months of starting the role, complete applicable Getting Started training modules, which cover Essential Information, Safety, Safeguarding and GDPR.
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Continue the Scout training programme to achieve the Wood Badge within three years.
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Renew safeguarding and safety training
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Take part in ongoing learning opportunities.
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It's expected that whilst volunteering for this role you will undertake regulated activity and require a disclosure check to be completed.
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Main Tasks:
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Planning and Delivery of a Great Programme:
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Deliver a fun, inclusive and age-appropriate programme
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Make sure activities are safe in accordance with Scouts POR (Policy, Organisation and Rules)
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Encourage the Young People in your Section to participate in activities and guide them towards receiving their badges
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Involve the Young People in your Section with programme planning in an age-appropriate way
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Gather regular feedback from the Young People in your Section about the programme
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Working with the Young People in your Section and members of the team, deliver a Community Impact project
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Work with the Leaders in the next Section up to help the Young People in your Section move-on
Running the Section:
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Encourage parents, carers and other adults to help run the Section
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Welcome and guide new members
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Recruit and support Young Leaders to help run the Section (In a Squirrel Section there must be at least one Young Leader)
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Share and allocate tasks and agree responsibilities with team members.
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Check in with members of the team regularly to see how things are going
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Keep records of Young People in your Section in accordance with UK Data protection act 2018.
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Maintain good communications with parents/carers of Young People in your Section
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Make sure the Section reflects the diversity of the local community
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Be a Part of the Scout Group:
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Attend and contribute to Scout Group leader meetings.
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With support from the Group Treasurer and Group Scout Leader, make sure all financial procedures are followed.
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On behalf of your Section team, attend meetings organised by the Scout District along with leaders from other District groups from the same Section.
Assistant Section Leaders
Outline: Supporting meetings, programme planning and the of running activities or games. Empowering young people to learn new skills, make new friends and learn to stand on their own two feet. No two weeks are the same, but the impact you make is always great.
Responsible to: Group Scout Leader
Main Contacts: Young people and their Parents/Carers, Section team members, Group Scout Leader, Team members for the next Section up, Assistant District Commissioner for your Section, Group Treasurer
Appointment requirements:
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Complete the appointment process (including acceptable personal enquiries and acceptance of the Scout Association's policies)
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It's expected that whilst volunteering for this role you will undertake regulated activity and require a disclosure check to be completed.
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Within five months of starting the role, complete applicable Getting Started training modules, which cover Essential Information, Safety, Safeguarding and GDPR.
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Continue the Scout training programme to achieve the Wood Badge within three years.
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Renew safeguarding and safety training
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Take part in ongoing learning opportunities.
Main Tasks
Planning and delivering a great Programme:
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Assist with the delivery of a fun, inclusive and age-appropriate programme
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Help to deliver safe activities in accordance with Scouts POR (Policy, Organisation and Rules)
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Encourage Young People in your Section to participate in activities and guide them towards receiving their badges
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Help Young People in your Section to get involved with programme planning in an age-appropriate way
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Help to gather regular feedback from Young People in your Section about the programme
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Support Young People in your Section, Young Leaders and other members of the team to plan and deliver a Community Impact project
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Help the Section Leader to co-ordinate Young People in your Section in moving-on
Running the Section:
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Encourage parents, carers and other adults to help run the Section
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Welcome and guide new members
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Offer support to Young Leaders
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Help the Section Leader to allocate tasks and agree responsibilities with team members.
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Keep records of Young People in your Section in accordance with UK Data protection act 2018.
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Maintain good communications with parents/carers of Young People in your Section
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Help to make sure your Section reflects the diversity of the local community
Be a part of the Scout Group:
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Attend and contribute to Scout Group leader meetings.
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With support from the Group Treasurer and Group Scout Leader, make sure all financial procedures are followed.
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On behalf of your Section team, attend meetings organised by the Scout District along with leaders from other District groups from the same Section.
Section Assistants
Outline: Empowering young people to learn new skills, make new friends and learn to stand on their own two feet. No two weeks are the same, but the impact you make is always great.
Responsible to: Group Scout Leader
Main Contacts: Young people and their Parents/Carers, Section team members, Group Scout Leader, Assistant District Commissioner for your Section
Appointment requirements:
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Complete the appointment process (including acceptable personal enquiries and acceptance of the Scout Association's policies)
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It's expected that whilst volunteering for this role you will undertake regulated activity and require a disclosure check to be completed.
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Within five months of starting the role, complete applicable Getting Started training modules, which cover Essential Information, Safety, Safeguarding and GDPR
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Renew safeguarding and safety training
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Take part in ongoing learning opportunities
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Main Tasks:
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Delivering a Great Programme:
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Support the delivery of a safe, fun, inclusive and age-appropriate programme
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Welcome Young People and their families to the Section
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Run games and activities such as reading stories
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Encourage Young People in your Section to participate in activities and guide them towards receiving their badges
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Support Young People with additional needs