It’s great that you’re starting your journey as a leader!
As you will know, the safety and safeguarding of our young people is our number one priority, and as such, we have an appointments process that helps get you settled into your role.
The Personal Enquiry consists of two stages. These stages set into action as soon as you are added by your line manager into our adult membership system, Compass.
The CE Check
This check happens completely automatically when you are added to compass. This is a check of the records held at Scout Headquarters, including information from previous roles (if you’ve had any) and any information passed to us from other organisations.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check
Once you are added to compass, a request is sent to Atlantic (our DBS processors) to request a DBS is cleared for you. You’ll need to provide us with some ID for us to log into the system, and then you will need to log in yourself and confirm the ID, and grant permission for us to take the background check. You can log in here
If you are experiencing any difficulties when undertaking your check, or your line manager hasn’t requested ID from you, please open a support ticket by emailing support@elstreescouts.org.uk as your disclosure is considered time sensitive, and members without a disclosure will be suspended.
Getting started training helps prepare you with important knowledge, such as Safety, Safeguarding, Data Protection, and role specifics.
You should undertake these as soon as possible, as they will help prepare you for your role. The modules are all e-learning modules and the entirety of the modules can be completed in around an hour. You can access the e-learning here.
You can book to meet with the appointments advisory committee here
You will need to have completed References (which your line manager can request via compass) before the meeting.
Who will I meet at the Appointment meeting?
You will meet with three people that volunteer as part of the District team, who make up the the Appointments Panel.
How long is the Appointment meeting?
Most appointment meetings last between 20 and 30 minutes.
What is the meeting about?
The meeting is an opportunity for the Scouts to welcome and thank you for expressing an interest in volunteering with the organisation and to discuss with you, what your volunteering will involve.
The Promises of Scouting, the Scout values, our code of conduct (also known as the Yellow Card), and key policies which you will need to agree to follow, will be also be discussed.
There will be an opportunity for you to share what you are hoping to get out of your volunteering, for you to ask any questions and to check that you know where to access support.
Do I need to prepare anything for the meeting?
It would be useful to take a look at the following information,
Young People First (The Yellow Card)
Don’t worry, if you don’t get chance, it will be discussed with you, during the meeting.
Where will the appointment meeting be held?
The location varies for our meetings as we travel around the district, and virtually to ensure we can offer everyone convenience in getting to us, the location is listed as part of your booking.
What happens after the meeting?
The volunteers on the Appointments Panel will explain to you, what the next steps are. They will provide you with guidance on the training you will need to complete and support you with completing your disclosure (DBS) check if this has not already been done.
They will also pass on their recommendation, about your appointment to the relevant commissioner and you and your line manager will be notified of the outcome.
Since September 1919, volunteers in the Scouts have been awarded the Wood Badge once they have completed their leader training.
After you’ve been in role for a bit, your line manager should meet you for review. This will be to discuss how you are progressing with your training, as well as see if there is anything they can do to help support you in your role.
