Learning

Page last reviewed: September 2025

Learning for Scouts volunteers 

We want all our volunteers to have the skills and knowledge they need to feel confident to keep young people safe and help them gain skills for life. This is why all volunteers need to complete some learning, and why we encourage them to continue learning throughout their volunteer journey. 

Learning at Scouts is organised in a Learning Tree. Growing Roots is the learning everyone needs to complete when joining Scouts or taking on a new role. Some Growing Roots learning needs to be renewed every three years. 

Branching Out is the learning you can choose to do to develop your knowledge further. For example, to get permits and accreditations, and to earn the Wood Badge.

The learning you’re required to do 

The learning you’re required to complete depends on your role and team. You’ll find the list with the learning required for all roles on the Teams Table in POR. 

You need to complete Safety, Safeguarding, Creating Inclusion, Data Protection in Scouts, and Who We Are and What We Do. The only people who don't need to complete this learning are Presidents, Vice Presidents, Non Member - Needs Disclosure, Retired Members and Designated Carers. 

Some volunteers also need to complete Delivering a Great Programme, Leading Scout Volunteers, Being a Trustee in Scouts and First Response.

All volunteers can complete any learning they wish, even if it's not required for their role. You can see how to find and complete learning, and assign a skill to your profile on our Digital Tool Guide.

How to complete and keep track of learning 

You can complete learning in different ways: eLearning, trainer led, self-directed and a blended approach. 

You complete all Growing Roots learning online by accessing My Learning. You find it under the section ‘the learning you need’. Your progress is automatically tracked and recorded in your profile in My Learning and My Membership when completed. You also get reminders when your learning is due. 

Branching Out learning is offered locally. You need to contact your District or County / Area / Region Volunteering Development Team to find out where and how it's delivered. You need to enrol in each learning through your profile in My Learning and then request to be assessed to achieve a skill. 

Use the ‘Wood Badges & Skills’ section in My Learning to see all the Branching Out learning available, and to assign a Wood Badge to your profile. 

Read the My learning digital tool guide to learn how to access, enrol and complete learning and how to request to be assessed in a skill. 

Who can support you with learning 

Your Team Leader or Lead Volunteer will help you understand what learning you need to do.

District and County / Area / Region Volunteering Development Teams are also there to support you with your learning. They manage the learning offer locally and can answer any questions you might have. They can support you to access our digital learning and help you find an alternative if you don’t have any access to the internet. 

Learning Assessors validate your learning and credit skills.

Additional guidance on learning