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Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

Discover what this means

Learn about our Young Leaders’ Award Scheme

Explore what you need to do to earn your Young Leaders’ Award.
Plan a session with this activity

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You’ll need

  • Access to a computer or device with access to the internet
  • Access to a projector and screen (optional)

Before you begin

  • Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Additional help to carry out your risk assessment, including examples can be found here. Don’t forget to make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
  • Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help if you’re short on helpers.

Planning for this activity

  • Have a look at all the links in this activity and bring them up on your computer screen to look at during the activity. There should webpages about the modules, the missions, and the badges, belt, and certificate.
  • If you’re using a projector and screen, set this up at one end of your meeting place.

Discover the award

  1. Ask everyone to sit in a group or in front of the projector screen.
  2. Have a quick chat about what the Young Leaders’ Scheme is.
  1. Start talking about the modules part of the scheme. Explain that there are 11 modules that everyone will complete as part of their training. These modules cover a variety of topics, such as understanding behaviour, looking at what makes a high quality programme and first aid.
  1. Take a few minutes to go through a few examples on the modules webpage for everyone to have a closer look at.
  2. Next, talk about the mission’s part of the scheme. Explain that there are four missions; Game, Activity, Programme planning and Deliver. Each mission will help everyone develop their leadership skills by putting into practice what they learned in their modules.
  1. Take a few minutes to go through the mission’s webpage for everyone to have a closer look at it.
  2. Finally, have a quick look at the recognition part of this scheme. This includes the badges, belt and certificate.
  3. Explain to everyone that they will earn the central part of their badge after completing module A. They will earn a mission strip when they complete each one, and then the belt and certificate are awarded when they have completed the whole scheme.

Reflection

Completing the Young Leaders’ Scheme helps everyone develop their skills as a young leader. It helps build up their confidence in themselves and how they manage a group. It also gives them a wealth of knowledge on how to plan and run a high quality programme as a section leader or volunteer.

How did everyone feel about what was needed to complete the scheme? Were there any questions about how they could achieve it? Think about using examples from their experiences in Scouting and how they can use these to count towards the scheme. For example, if they have run any activities and games within the group or if they already help with a younger section.

Their experiences working towards other top award can also count towards the Young Leaders’ Scheme. Check out the ‘Link those awards’ activity for more information on how the top awards can overlap and link together.

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Online safety

Supervise young people when they’re online and give them advice about staying safe. Take a look at our online safety or bullying guidance. The NSPCC offers more advice and guidance, too. If you want to know more about specific social networks and games, Childnet has information and safety tips for apps. You can also report anything that’s worried you online to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command. As always, if you’ve got concerns about a young person’s welfare, including their online experiences, follow the Yellow Card to make a report.

Hand and electric tools

Inspect tools for any damage before each use. An adult should supervise people using tools, and people should follow instructions on how to use them correctly and safely. Tools should be properly maintained and kept sharp.

Use an appropriate surface and make sure materials are stable and supported when you’re working on them. You should cut and drill away from the body and in an area clear of other people. Be extra cautious of trailing cables and water when using electric tools. Always use a cordless tool if one’s available.

Consider having print out versions of each of the webpages for anyone who needs to see it closer up.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.