Growing Roots
Discover the learning you'll need to do once you gain access to our new digital tool
Quick links
Growing Roots is the learning you'll need to do within your first six months as a new volunteer or when you start a new role. It covers the basics of Scouts, safety, data protection and creating an inclusive environment.
Existing volunteers who have already validated our existing ‘Getting Started’ training modules will be automatically signed off as having completed Growing Roots. But we’ll still recommend you do the Creating Inclusion learning. This will help us to make sure everyone receives a warm welcome to Scouts.
If you've only completed some of the Getting Started training, you'll need to complete any outstanding equivalent Growing Roots learning on the new My Learning digital tool.
You'll be able to access all Growing Roots learning online, and track progress, once the My Learning digital tool is launched in your county.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Growing Roots for some people
This is the learning some people need to do.
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 is 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.
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.
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. Some volunteers will have different timescales if they're in other roles before they move over to the new digital system in their County.
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.
Branching Out
Find out about the learning opportunities that will be available for when you’d like to build your skills, and what this will mean for current volunteers.
Find out about Branching Out