Growing Roots for everyone
This is the learning that all new volunteers 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.
Safety
For new volunteers, this learning needs to be completed within the first 30 days of joining.
For existing volunteers, this needs to be renewed every three years. It is automatically signed off once you have completed the online learning.
What you’ll learn
This learning is about how we keep our young people and each other safe. It includes:
- What our safety policy is and why it’s important
- What your responsibilities are in terms of Safety
- How to assess and manage risks
- How to respond to and report incidents
All volunteers will need to have completed the new online course by 14th July 2025.
Safeguarding
For new volunteers, this learning needs to be completed within the first 30 days of joining.
For existing volunteers, this learning needs renewing every three years and is automatically signed off upon completion of the online learning.
What you’ll learn
This learning is about how we safeguard our young people and each other. It includes:
- What safeguarding is and why it’s important
- How to recognise Safeguarding concerns
- How to respond to and report Safeguarding concerns
- How to Safeguard Adults at Risk
Creating Inclusion
For new volunteers, this learning needs to be completed within 6 months of joining.
For existing volunteers, this learning is automatically signed off if you completed Module 7 – Scouting for All.
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 new volunteers, this learning needs to be completed within 6 months of joining.
For existing volunteers, this learning is automatically signed off if you’ve already completed the 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 new volunteers, this learning needs to be completed within 6 months of joining.
For existing volunteers, this learning is automatically signed off if you’ve already completed 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.
Branching Out
Find out about the learning opportunities available for when you’d like to build your skills.
First Aid
All Section Team volunteers, Group Lead Volunteers and 14-24 Team Leaders must complete First Response within their first 12 months and renew it every 3 years.
Re-joining Scouts after a break
If you’re joining or re-joining Scouts after a break of 180 days or more, you’ll need to re-do your Growing Roots learning, even if you’ve completed this learning in a previous role.
Scouts.org.uk shows you what learning you’ll need to complete, but if this doesn’t look right, contact the Support Centre.
