New Leaders Information
For New Leaders:
Welcome to the 1st Chalfont St Giles Scout Group, we hope you will have as much fun and enjoyment with your children as we do at Scouts. Scouts is a big family with lots of support available.
Our Group
We have four sections: Beavers (Grayburn and Captain Cook), Cubs (Mowgli and Milton), Scouts (Cromwell and Fleetwood), and Explorers (Cobra).
Leaders in Beavers use tree-themed names, and Cub Leaders often adopt names from The Jungle Book. With a strong team of Assistant Leaders, we offer flexibility, allowing volunteers to manage time off around work, travel, and family. Weekly programme plans and responsibilities are agreed during termly planning meetings.
Beaver Colonies
- Grayburn: Tuesdays, 5:30–7:00 pm – led by Dale Smith
- Captain Cook: Thursdays, 5:30–7:00 pm – led by Abi Mossop
Cub Packs
- Mowgli: Mondays, 6:00–7:30 pm – led by Paul Topping
- Milton: Wednesdays, 6:00–7:30 pm – led by Bryony Dewhurst
Scout Troops
- Cromwell: Thursdays, 7:30–9:00 pm – led by Clive Bishop
- Fleetwood: Fridays, 6:30–8:00 pm – led by Tim Bowerman
Explorer Unit
- Cobra: Tuesdays, 7:30–9:00 pm – led by Nick Couldry
Each week, we also use a Parent Rota to ensure there are enough adults present to support the delivery of safe, engaging activities.
Our Support Team
We are supported by a Group Trustee Board, parent administrators who manage the waiting list, DBS checks, and new volunteer onboarding, and individual parent admins assigned to each Colony, Pack, or Troop.
Systems We Use
- Online Scout Manager (OSM)
Used to manage our programme, badges, events, and payments. Parents get a login for their child and can request access to help run their section. OSM is overseen locally by James Blachford or Rachel Nelson. - Scouts Membership System
Used for managing DBS checks, training progress, and adult appointments. All new leader onboarding is completed through this platform.
Stay Connected
We also have a closed Facebook Group for current volunteers and parents:
🔗 CSG Facebook Group
New Leaders Induction Pack
This guide outlines the steps to get started as a volunteer in Scouting.
Step 1: Log into the Scouts Membership System
All volunteer onboarding and training are managed through the new Scouts Membership System
You should receive an invitation email with login instructions. If not, simply go to the site and click “Forgot password” to reset and access your account.
Once logged in, please:
- Agree to the Volunteer Code of Conduct
- Complete your personal details
- Provide details for two referees (non-family) who can vouch for you
- Begin your online learning journey
Learn more about the volunteer journey here:
👉 Volunteer Joining Journey – scouts.org.uk
Step 2: DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check
After submitting your details, we’ll initiate a DBS check through the system.
You’ll receive an email with instructions to complete the form online. You’ll then need to present the original documents used for ID and proof of address, either in person or via a secure online meeting. Your Section Team Leader or our Group Scout Leader will guide you through this process.
Step 3: Complete Your Initial Training
Training is managed through the Scouts Learning Hub using the same login as the Membership System.
Required Modules:
- Safety (within 30 days)
- Safeguarding (within 30 days)
- Essential Information (within 5 months)
- Tools for the Role (within 5 months)
- GDPR (within 5 months)
We also recommend completing:
- Who We Are
- The Programme
These modules provide valuable insights into Scouting’s mission and programme structure.
Step 4: First Aid Training
All adult volunteers in programme-delivery roles are required to hold a valid First Response (First Aid) qualification, which must be renewed every three years.
While there’s no specific national deadline for completing this training, our District recommends that new volunteers complete their First Response training within 12 months of joining. This ensures that every session is adequately covered by First Aid-trained leaders.
Training is typically provided free of charge at local venues such as Braid Wood (Chesham) or Quarries (Milton Keynes). If you already possess an equivalent First Aid qualification, please inform us. You may be eligible for a top-up session to meet Scouts’ requirements.
There are two options with First Aid:
- Attend a full-day course. The dates/times/locations of the courses can be found in the attached training calendar. Braid Wood is in Chesham and is much closer than Quarries which is in Milton Keynes.
- Complete the online Module A Part 1 at Module A followed by a half-day course covering Module A Part 2 and Module B. These are the half-day sessions on the training calendar. The online course needs to be done at least a week before attending the half-day session.
Once you have decided which training session (course is free) to attend, please complete the attached application form and send it to Claire Heasman (claire.heasman@bucks-scouts.org.uk) who is part of the County team and will book you on the course.
What Happens Next?
Once your Welcome Conversation is complete and your initial modules and DBS are done, you’ll receive your Group scarf and woggle as a welcome to the team.
Any Questions?
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to your Section Team Leader or our Group Scout Leader, James Blachford.
We’re here to support you at every stage and we’re excited to have you on the team!
Term Schedule
Planning meetings are usually in the second week of each term. We broadly follow the government school term, with a break for half-term, finishing a week before each holiday.
This is a good way to meet your fellow Leaders and see what is planned for the next term. We try to make things as easy as possible and share plans whenever we can.
The Safe Scouting Cards
The safety checklist cards are easy references for some of our key rules, procedures and guidelines.
- Yellow Card – Covers what behaviour we expect from our adults, and how you should respond to Safeguarding Concerns. If any adult is unable to understand and/or uphold the Safeguarding Policy and the Yellow Card or is unable to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk, then they cannot be considered for adult appointments.
- Purple Card – Covers what to do if there is a Safety incident, including reporting and actions that should be taken.
- Orange Card – Covers what behaviour we expect from our Young Leaders, and how they should respond to Safeguarding Concerns. You must make sure that your Young Leaders know about this.
- Green Card – Sets out our policy on alcohol for all adults involved in Scouting.
- Checklist Cards – These are pocket checklists aimed to help all adults working with young people to fulfil their roles and responsibilities in managing and supporting safety in Scouting.
Further details on each of the cards can be found on the Scouts website via the link below:
https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safe-scouting-cards/
Uniform
The scout group will cover leaders’ expenses for a Scout polo shirt (for meetings), a Scout long-sleeve uniform shirt (for formal occasions, e.g., Remembrance Sunday), and a pair of Scout activity trousers.
These items can be found on the Scout website via the following link:
After purchase, submit a claim with receipts to the Treasurer at treasurer@csg-scouts.org.
For any additional clothing items, please obtain clearance from the Group Scout Leader before making the purchase.
The annual Group events diary is:
September – second week of term: Leader meeting – Scout Hut
September – a week after the Leader meeting: Group Exec
October: Bucks Big O http://www.bucksbigo.org.uk/
November – a week before fireworks: Scouts selling fireworks tickets on the Green
November – Remembrance rehearsal, Tuesday before Remembrance Sunday: Standard bearers, Escorts, Readers 630pm
November: Scouts selling fireworks tickets on the Green
November – Saturday week after the 5th: Fireworks from 6:30 pm to 8 pm (All parents to help run the event)
November: Fireworks Litter parade 8 am
November: Remembrance Sunday parade and service 10 am to midday
November – third weekend: GrymsDyke Hikes for Scouts http://www.grimsdykehikes.co.uk/
January: Leaders and Group Exec meeting
January: Thank-you meal
April: Leaders and Group Exec meeting
April: St Georges Day Service rehearsal, Tuesday evening before St Georges Day Sunday.
April: St Georges Day Service
May: AGM
May – half-term: often Group or Section camps are held this week/end.