Growing Roots

So what’s it all about?

Growing Roots is the learning you’ll need to do within your first six months as a new volunteer. It covers the basics of Scouts, safety, data protection and creating an inclusive environment. Safety & Safeguarding must be completed within the first 30 days.

You’ll be able to access all Growing Roots learning online, and track progress through the My Learning digital tool.

Growing Roots for everyone

This is the learning that all new volunteers will need to complete within their first six months.

The only people who don’t need to complete this learning are Presidents, Vice Presidents, Non Member – Needs Disclosure, Retired Members and Designated Carers.


Safe Scouting

For new volunteers, this learning will need to be completed within the first 30 days of joining.
For existing volunteers, this learning will be automatically signed off if you’ve already completed our current Safety and Safeguarding modules within the last three years.

What you’ll learn

This learning is about how we keep our young people and each other safe.

It includes:

  • What safety and safeguarding is.
  • Why safety and safeguarding are so important.
  • About Safety
    •  How to assess and manage risks.
    • How to respond to and report incidents.
  • About Safeguarding
    • How to recognise and respond to concerns.
    • How to take notes and report concerns.
    • How to protect both young people and adults.

Creating Inclusion

For existing volunteers, this learning will be automatically signed off if you’ve completed Module 7 – Scouting for All

We still recommend everybody completes this learning once it’s available so that we can help ensure everyone feels welcome at Scouts.

What you’ll learn

This learning is about how we make Scouts a welcoming space for everybody.
It includes:

  • How to challenge assumptions
  • Practical ways to be more inclusive in everything we do
  • How to respond when people need reasonable adjustments
  • How to challenge discrimination


Data protection in Scouts

For existing volunteers, this learning will be automatically signed off if you’ve already completed our current GDPR module.

What you’ll learn

This learning is about how we take care of people’s personal data. It includes:

  • What data protection and personal data is.
  • How to gather personal data in Scouts.
  • How to use, share and store personal data in Scouts.
  • How to delete or archive personal data securely.
  • How to respond in case of a data breach or subject access request

 


Who we are and what we do


For existing volunteers, this learning will be automatically signed off if you’ve already completed the current Essential Information (Module 1).

What you’ll learn

This is an introduction to what Scouts is and how we help young people develop skills for life. It includes:

  • Our purpose, Promise and values as Scouts.
  • The support that’s available to you.
  • How our different teams work together.
  • How Scouts create impact.

Growing Roots for some people

This is the learning some people need to do.

Delivering a great programme

This learning will need to be completed by all new Section Team members. For existing volunteers, this learning will be automatically signed off if you’ve already completed and validated the following current Modules:

  • Module 3 – Tools for the Role (Section Leaders)
  • Module 12A – Delivering a Quality Programme
  • Module 12B – Programme Planning
  • Module 17 – Running Safe Activities

What you’ll learn
This will help our Section Teams to understand how to plan and deliver a safe, balanced and high quality programme for young people in Scouts. It includes:

  • The Scout Method and how we create impact.
  • How to involve young people and be youth led.
  • How to promote positive behaviour when working with young people.
  • How to plan and run safe and exciting programmes, so young people can achieve their top awards.
  • How to work with parents and carers of our young people.


Leading Scout volunteers


This learning will need to be completed by all new Team Leaders and Lead Volunteers, except for Team Leaders of Section Teams and Sub-teams.
For existing volunteers, this learning will be automatically signed off if you’ve already achieved your Manager & Supporter Wood Badge.
This content is still being developed.


Being a Trustee in Scouts


This learning will need to be completed by all new Trustees.
For existing volunteers, this learning will be automatically signed off if you’ve already completed our current Trustee Introduction module.
This content is still being developed.

First Response

Although not technically a part of Growing Roots learning, First Response must be completed by some people within 12 months of starting a role. Note: Some volunteers will have different timescales if they’re in other roles before they move over to the new digital system

First Response


This learning will need to be completed by all Section Team volunteers, Group Lead Volunteers, and 14-24 Team Leaders. It must be renewed every three years.

What you’ll learn

This is First Aid training at Scouts. It includes:

  • Managing a first aid incident
  • Offering emergency life support such as CPR
  • Helping in situations where a person is unconscious
  • Dealing with common Scouting injuries including bleeding, sprains and head injuries
  • A basic understanding of some of the major illnesses: asthma, stoke, diabetes, and so on

The First Response content and delivery methods will not change with the introduction of Growing Roots. You can find out more about First Response on the First Aid Training pages

Dwayne Fields proudly holds the title of the UK's 11th Chief Scout

An explorer, adventurer and TV presenter, Dwayne's been seen in BAFTA nominated Channel 5 series Race to the Pole, on BBC Springwatch, Countryfile, National Geographic and Disney+.

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