Group Scout Leaders Guide to the Process for dealing with Young Leaders.
- When an Explorer Scout (or a young person of Explorer Scout age) or Duke of Edinburgh Award member approaches your Group to volunteer in a Section, you must run through the YL Placement Agreement with them, and contact a ESL (YL).
- With the exception of Duke of Edinburgh Award members, all young people must immediately register with the Young Leader Unit (POR Rule 4.37.d). This is done by completing the Young Leader Registration Form .
- Young Leader Capitation is paid by the group if they do not pay subs to an Explorer Unit.
- Explorer Scouts and Young Leaders (not regularly attending an Explorer Unit), should wear the Explorer uniform or activity shirt (and either the District Explorer necker or the Group necker, which should be agreed between the Section Leader and the ESL (YL)
- Young Leaders are entitled to earn badges relating to their section, for Young Leaders who do not pay subs to the Explorer unit. the cost of these badges are the responsibility of the group.
- A Young Leader has access to the whole Explorer Programme; however, the DofE young person does not.
- All Young Leaders MUST attend a module A training course within 3 months, including DofE people.
- The Explorer Scout will be awarded the YL Badge, to be worn on the right arm below the District badge. This will signify to you and other Leaders that this Young Leader has completed their mandatory training.
- The Young Leader should continue to follow the Placement Agreement, take part in the wider Explorer programme, be encouraged undertake further training, and to complete the four missions.
- For each mission completed the Explorer Scout Leader (Young Leader) will award a mission flash that will be worn around the YL Badge.
- After completing all training and all missions the Young Leader will be awarded with the Young Leader Belt Buckle.
- When the Young Leader reaches 17½ they should talk with the GSL and ESL (YL) about the options available to them at 18. If they choose to take on an adult role, apply now; do not wait until they are 18.
- Explorer Scout reaches 18; (subject to mandatory checks being completed) they begin the adult role they applied for 6 months earlier or leave.
Additional notes concerning D of E
If you do choose to do your DofE volunteering as a young leader or adult leader then you will need to have completed either module A of the young leaders’ scheme or the Getting Started modules of the adult training scheme. In addition to this you will need at each level to complete at least two hours of training appropriate to your role (this is not cumulative).
Non-members completing the volunteering section within Scouting
Non-members may only work within Scouting (as non-members) for the period required for this section as either a young leader or adult leader working directly with a section. During this period they may operate as any other young leader with that section and will be required to complete the training requirements (module A or Getting Started plus two hours of training appropriate to the role). Throughout this period they will be insured and may operate within the section as if they were members (this includes taking part in camps etc, but does not include taking part in the wider explorer scout programme or acting as service crew at a campsite).