4th Lytham St. Anne's Scout Group

Role description for Group Scout Leader

        This factsheet will help those currently in the role of Group Scout Leader, provide information for those considering the role and also assist those managing the appointment process.

It contains the following:

1. An outline role description. This will help to provide an overview of the role and its priorities. It describes what the role should achieve without going into detail.

2. A person specification. You can use this to help identify the skills required for the role, the training that may be required to carry out the role successfully and to select someone for the role.

3. A detailed description of the role. This will help you and your line manager explore the role so that you can agree how it will be carried out, what the priorities and responsibilities are and agree a training and development plan. The detailed role description is based on the six areas of leadership and management that The Scout Association believes are required to motivate other adults and provide excellent Scouting in your community. These are:

• 1. Providing direction
• 2. Working with people
• 3. Achieving results
• 4. Enabling change
• 5. Using resources
• 6. Managing your time and personal skill

Further information about leadership and management can be found at www.scouts.org.uk/managers

How to use this factsheet Every Scout Group is different and every Group Scout Leader is different. This factsheet is intended to be a starting point for agreeing what is needed for the Group at this point in its development. It should also be used as the basis for mutually agreeing how the role will be carried out and how responsibilities will be allocated (for instance in a role share) or delegated to an assistant. That’s why it is not intended that this whole factsheet is to be given to a current role holder or potential candidate.

Role description Title: Group Scout Leader

 

Outline: To manage and support the Scout Group and its Leaders to ensure it runs effectively and that Scouting within the Group develops in accordance with the rules and policies of The Scout Association.

Responsible to District Commissioner (or deputy if appropriate).

Responsible for: N/A Main Contacts: Section Leaders and their leadership teams in the Group, parents/carers of the young people in the Scout Group, Group Executive Committee members, sponsoring authority of the Group (if applicable), Group Scout Active Support Manager, District Commissioner, Deputy District Commissioner(s), other Group Scout Leaders in the District, County/Area/Region (Scotland) Commissioner. Appointment requirements: Must complete the relevant training (a wood badge) within three years of taking up the role. Must be eligible for charity trustee status (as a member of the Group Executive Committee). Training Requirements: Must complete Module 1 within 5 months of full appointment, and Module 25 within 3 years of full appointment. It is expected that whilst volunteering for this role you will undertake regulated activity. Main Tasks Delivery of a Balanced Programme Ensure that the Scout Group thrives and has the best systems in place to support adult volunteers and develop the Group – including a Group Executive Committee and Section leadership teams. Provide line management and support to the Leaders in the Scout Group, including setting objectives for their work and holding regular reviews and one-to-one meetings. Ensure that the Scout Group has an adequate team of supported and appropriate adults working effectively together and with others to meet the Scout needs of the area. Ensure that a challenging, exciting and balance programme is offered to young people in the Scout Group. Work with the District Commissioner, Deputy District Commissioner(s) and other Group Scout Leaders in the District to ensure that the District thrives and supports Scout Groups. Note: Some of the tasks for which the Group Scout Leader is responsible may be delegated to others in the Group, including an Assistant Group Scout Leader, if appointed. page 3 of 5 The Scout Information Centre Gilwell Park Chingford London E4 7QW Tel + 44 (0)20 8433 7100 Fax + 44 (0)20 8433 7103 email info.centre@scouts.org.uk www.scouts.org.uk Person specification Knowledge and experience Essential/Desirable Ability to manage adults effectively Essential Understanding of the challenges of working in the voluntary sector Desirable Experience of working with young people and/or community work with adult groups Desirable Experience of working in the Scout or Guide Movement as an adult Desirable Skills Essential/Desirable Excellent written and oral communication skills Essential Provide advice and guidance effectively to others Essential Provide inspirational leadership for the Group Essential Build, maintain and facilitate effective working relationships with a wide range of people Essential Enable others to identify issues, clarify objectives, develop attainable objectives and gain the necessary skills and confidence to work as an effective team Essential Ability to negotiate compromises Essential Plan, manage and monitor own tasks and time Essential Construct and implement long-term plans that improve and expand the Scouting offered to young people and identify any training, resources and other needs required to undertake this work Essential Use basic computer software Essential Personal qualities Essential/Desirable An understanding of the needs of adult volunteers Essential Flexible approach Essential Self-motivated Essential Able to work as part of a team and promote good teamwork Essential Resourceful, energetic and enthusiastic about the job Essential Acceptance of the fundamentals of the Scout Movement Essential Detailed description of the role page 4 of 5 The Scout Information Centre Gilwell Park Chingford London E4 7QW Tel + 44 (0)20 8433 7100 Fax + 44 (0)20 8433 7103 email info.centre@scouts.org.uk www.scouts.org.uk The role of Group Scout Leader is based around six key areas of leadership and management. 1. Providing direction – as an effective Group Scout Leader you will be required to:  Lead by example to promote a co-operative culture of working in the Group.  Create a vision for the future development of the Group that takes into account the strategic objectives of The Scout Association and the plans for your District.  Develop a plan to realise the vision for the Group, implement and regularly review it.  Provide leadership, inspiration and motivation for all adults volunteering in the Group.  Ensure that everyone in the Group follows the policies and rules of The Scout Association.  Carry out regular one-to-one meetings and support adults who report directly to you. 2. Working with people – as an effective Group Scout Leader you will be required to:  Develop good working relationships based on trust and Scout values with adults in the Group and with others in Scouting.  Plan for and ensure that suitable adults are recruited to work in appropriate roles in the Group.  Manage and support the adults in the Group – including allocating tasks and reviewing their progress.  Support adults in the Group to develop by: completing formal training requirements, learning on the job, trying out new skills and addressing problems affecting performance.  Build a team spirit in the Group and support the development of the team as a whole.  Address conflict as it occurs within the Group and reduce the likelihood of it happening through good communication and other methods.  Run effective Leaders’ Meetings in the Group and participate fully in the Group Executive and District meetings.  Ensure that adults in the Group perform to agreed standards and if serious problems occur, that correct procedures are followed in consultation with the District Commissioner.  Carry out effective reviews and re-assign or retire people if necessary.  Build and maintain collaborative relationships with other relevant organisations in the Group’s local area. 3. Achieving results – as an effective Group Scout Leader you will be required to:  Satisfactorily complete projects in the Group for which you are responsible.  Satisfactorily resolve problems and issues raised by adult and youth members of the Group and by parents or carers of youth members in the Group. 4. Enabling change – as an effective Group Scout Leader you will be required to:  Encourage adults in the Group to think of new and creative ways to improve the Group.  Be enthusiastic about new ideas, give constructive feedback on those ideas and encourage and support further work on them.  Carry out plans to implement change, working together with all members of the Group.  Recognise the contribution of others towards change and improvement. page 5 of 5 The Scout Information Centre Gilwell Park Chingford London E4 7QW Tel + 44 (0)20 8433 7100 Fax + 44 (0)20 8433 7103 email info.centre@scouts.org.uk www.scouts.org.uk

5. Using resources – as an effective Group Scout Leader you will be required to:

 As part of the Executive Committee, manage the Group’s budget.

 As part of the Executive Committee, ensure that there is an adequate income for the Group including identifying other income sources such as grants.

 Work with the Executive Committee and Leaders to ensure that the Group’s meeting place and equipment are safe and that adult volunteers act in a responsible manner.

 Work with the Section Leaders and the Executive Committee to ensure that the Group has sufficient physical resources to support the programme.

 Work with adults and youth Members to minimise the negative impact and maximise the positive impact that the Group has on the environment.

 Make decisions about all matters within the Group based on the best available information.

 Ensure that all adults in the Group have the right information provided in a timely manner and in the most effective way.

6. Managing your time and personal skills – as an effective Group Scout Leader you will be required to:

 Agree realistic goals and targets with the District Commissioner for the development of the Scout Group that work towards The Scout Association’s strategic objectives.

 Ask other adult volunteers for feedback about how you carry out your role and act on it.

 Regularly check how you use your time and identify possible improvements so that you focus on the goals and priorities that you have agreed with the District Commissioner.

 Identify the skills and knowledge that you need to develop or improve and the steps you will follow to do so.

 Attend National, Regional, County/Area and District Group Scout Leader meetings, workshops and events.