Adult Volunteers - Bald_Hills_Scout

Everyone is welcome to join Scouting, and Scouts Queensland offers adults aged 18 years and over a host of rewarding opportunities to help make a difference in young people's lives.

You're never too old to join the adventurous life of Scouting, even if you haven't been involved before.

Adult volunteers are the backbone of Scouting, who care about the guidance and development of the young people as well as the community in which they live.

There are a number of ways that you can get involved in Scouting. You could become:

A Scout Leader responsible for helping to devise and deliver programs that support young people in reaching their potential

A Scout Leader responsible for leading and training our Adult volunteer leaders

Specialist Activity Leaders

A member of our Scout Group Committee

An Adult Helper providing assistance to our Leaders in running their programs

A Youth Program Supporter lending general assistance or helping to fundraise

Scout Leaders are responsible for helping to devise and deliver programs that support young people in reaching their potential.

Not only do Scout Leaders help youth members develop valuable skills in an environment of responsible risk-taking, but they themselves develop valuable skills in leadership, project management and event planning.

No prior experience is necessary to become a Scout Leader. All Leaders undergo training on all aspects of youth: leadership, program planning, safety and other requirements. They are also given resources of program ideas to help them get started.

Leaders are required to attend:

Group meetings one night a week during school terms.
A monthly Leaders meeting.
Group activities, such as hiking or camping trips, which take place a few weekends during the year.

Child safety is very important to Scouts. Therefore, along with training in child safety, adult members must undergo a standard Police check to ensure the safety of our youth members.

Please discuss becoming a Scout Leader with our Group Leader.

Leader roles vary through the Units, as youth members take more responsibility for their activities as they progress in age. Types of Leaders include:

Group Leader – responsible for leading and promoting the Scout Group in the local community and ensuring it operates in accordance with the Policies and Rules and administrative practices of the Association.
Unit Leaders (Joey Scout, Cub Scout, Scout, Venturer Scout) – responsible for the planning and running of exciting, challenging weekly and weekend programs which attract new members to their Unit and retain existing ones, attending and running weekly Group meetings during school terms, attending group activities (e.g. hikes or camping trips), attending monthly Leaders meeting, supervising and providing instruction, and providing assistance for the testing of youth members in skills appropriate to the program of the Unit especially in topics and skills of the Award Scheme.
Assistant Unit Leaders – take part in the planning and participate in the running of exciting, challenging weekly and weekend programs which attract new and retain existing members.
Activity Leaders – adults who have a certain interest in adventurous activities such as abseiling or water activities have the opportunity to become an Activity Leader. Activity Leaders are responsible for delivering activities, training and support around their specific activity to facilitate a more adventurous Scouting program.
Leaders of Adults – are involved in training other adult members of Scouting.

Training and development of adult volunteers is compulsory to ensure that they have the knowledge to lead young people and other adults. While leaders don't need any prerequisite skills or knowledge prior to joining, they must be prepared to undertake our Leader Training.

As in most National Scout Organisations, Scouts Australia operates a Wood Badge Training Program as a system for the training and development of all its Adult Leaders. We also operate the Scouts Australia Institute of Training (SAIT), a registered training organisation, which offers a wide variety of courses in Leadership, Business, Management and Outdoor Recreation. Through this scheme, your Scouting qualifications can be externally accredited, so they are relevant and recognised in the professional world.

SAIT

Adult Helpers are non-uniformed adults who regularly assist in the delivery of the Youth Program in the youth sections. Adult Helpers are only involved in Youth Member activities under the guidance of a trained Leader holding a Certificate of Adult Leadership (CAL).

Regularly is defined as more than once a month, or are regularly helping and supporting overnight activities such as sleep-overs, pack holidays, hikes and camps. Adult Helpers are required to hold a Blue Card, and complete National e-Learning Child Safe Scouting and WHS for Scouting modules.

Adult Helper application forms are available from our Group Leader.

A Youth Program Supporter is defined as a person who provides services to the Group, including assistance in Section Meetings but not on a regular basis; motor vehicle transport for Youth Members or for equipment to attend events away from the Scout den; cooking and similar support services at overnight or full day Scout activities. A Youth Program Supporter is not a Member of the Movement, however must hold a valid Blue Card and within six months complete National e-Learning Child Safe Scouting and WHS for Scouting modules.

The Youth Program Supporter application form is available from our Group Leader.

Child Safe Scouting: In this module you will learn about Child Safe Scouting and: ★ Know how our values and attitudes can impact on acknowledging child abuse and/or neglect ★ Understand how child abuse is often discounted ★ Appreciate your role as a trusted, non-threatening adult ★ Be aware of the importance of maintaining a child focus ★ Understand your responsibility to report, including suspicion of abuse.

Module Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.

WHS for Scouting: Although the WHS legislation is all encompassing, it was mostly written with only commercial workplaces in mind. Working with Safework Australia, Scouts has developed a clear framework that interprets the law in the context of Scouting. This module explains WHS in the context for Scouting.

Module Time: 45 minutes.

The number one priority for Scouts Australia is Child Safe Scouting.

All Leaders are thoroughly screened, undergo the relevant Queensland State Blue Card Services checks, and must hold a valid, verified Working with Children check (Blue Card).
Adult Leaders receive comprehensive, ongoing training across a range of subjects including leadership, WHS, and child protection.
At least one person trained in first aid attends all major events.
At least two adults are present at all meetings and events.
We will liaise with you to ensure we have the information necessary to cater for your child's individual medical, physical, and dietary requirements.
The Scouts Queensland Branch has a team of people responsible for child safety who action any concerns that parents or children may have regarding safety.

Learn More