Adult Support 18+

Role Descriptions

This page attempts to explain the different adult roles within a Scout Group, this is not all the jobs our volunteers do for our young people…..

Group Scout Leader

The Group Scout Leader (GSL) ensures the effective operation of the Scout Group. The Scout Group consists of the three younger sections – Beavers (aged 6-8), Cubs (aged 8-10.5) and Scouts (aged 10.5-14).

The Group Scout Leader is responsible for ensuring that the Group has a team of ‘fit and proper’ adults who are well inducted and supported and that a Balanced Programme is being delivered to all young people in the Group.

A Group Scout Leader is responsible for all Leaders and Assistant Leaders in the Scout Group. This means that it is the ideal role for someone who is interested in working with both adults and young people.

Section Leader

Every section (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts) has a Leader. The Leader has overall responsibility for the running of the section. This means planning and delivering the Balanced Programme with the help of Assistant Leaders and section Assistants. section Leaders can choose to lead one of the following sections:

Beavers (aged 6-8)

Cubs (aged 8-10.5)

Scouts (aged 10.5-14)

Leaders are responsible for the young people in the section and for any adults helping to deliver the Programme.

Assistant Leader

Assistant Leaders support the section Leader in delivering the Balanced Programme. This can mean anything from helping to plan and run games or activities, or helping to keep records up to date. The responsibilities of an Assistant Leader will depend on their own interests and on what they agree with the Leader. Assistant Leaders are supported by section Assistants, as well as by other Assistant Leaders.

Section Assistant

All our sections need helpers. Outdoor activities and nights away require a certain number of adults in relation to the number of young people. So by helping out whenever they can, section Assistants could be enabling an extra 6 (in the case of Beavers) young people to participate in Scouting. More importantly, section Assistants provide invaluable support to Leaders and Assistant Leaders. Regularly attending meetings to collect paper work or to make refreshments means that the Leaders have more time to deliver the programme to young people.

Occasional Helper/Parent

Parents and family members are encouraged, where possible, to help out a section in some way. Some sections will organise rotas where support can be given once or twice a term by all the parents in the section. This should be used as an opportunity to get involved in what the young people are doing.

Group Executive Committee

Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary and Executive Committee Members such as Group Scout Leader, Section Leaders and of course Parents make great members of the executive committee and contribute to the strategic aims and future development of the Group.

Activity/Skills Instructor

Adults who have a specific skill or interest can also choose to run a particular activity or event one evening a term. Such skills are invaluable to Scout Groups and can usually assist young people in gaining, or working towards, a particular badge.

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