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This page contains copies of recent newsletters from the National Commissioner for Adult Support, contact details for the Adult Support Office at Gilwell Park, and information about the National Commissioner for Adult Support and his team.

The Adults in Scouting Working Group (AiS WG) is currently working on several projects. These projects have been selected because they in meet the aim of the Adult Support Team, which is 'To ensure that adults providing Scouting are well motivated, well trained, and well supported'. To achieve this aim, three key priorities have been indentified:

1. To implement the Adult Training Scheme

2. To recruit and retain more adults

3. To ensure that Scout Fellowships provide practical support to Group and District Scouting

The following projects are aimed to achieve priority number 2.

The Appointment Process

Work is currently underway to significantly improve the appointment process and 'welcome route' for adults new to Scouting. The aim of this work is to ensure that new adults fee supported and valued and get the information they require in a timely and efficient manner. The work will also encompass the information and support received by Appointment sub-Committees.

Revitalise recruitment methods

This work was identified at the Adult Support Conference. It is clear that in some places those recruiting adults are 'tired' of the six-step approach, do not believe that it works and think that the Association only allows one method of recruitment. While there is a large body of evidence to show that the six-step approach does work where used properly, this is clearly a concern. The intended output of this work is to re-energise people with methods of recruitment that they believe will work.

Different models for running a Section

The Adult Support team believes that Section Leaders could make their own lives easier by using people in a flexible way (e.g. people who can give one week in four or can attend part of a section meeting but not the whole meeting). The intended output is to show simply how tasks can be distributed between more people within a Section so that more people are doing less each and it is easier to run the Section.

Executive Committees

The Adults in Scouting Working Group has been carrying out work to support and develop Group, District and County Executive Committees. This work will continue but with a focus on how the Executive Committee can support the Scout Group.

Engaging Parents

This work was identified at the Adult Support Conference. The intended output is a simple tool to help Scout Groups get parents/carers involved in providing help and support to the Group.

Valuing contributions of individuals/teams

The Adult Support team believes that while the Association has an established system of rewarding good and long service, we should consider what we might do to recognise the contribution if it is less than 5 years (for example someone agrees to do 3 years as his/her child goes through a Section). The intended outcome is that more people stay in Scouting longer as they feel valued.

Encouraging formal and informal review

We need to continue to increase the number and effectiveness of reviews (formal and informal). Great care must be taken to avoid 'putting people off' the process so whatever is done will need to be simple and help people even if they don't understand the principles behind the action. The intended output is a simple tool for people to use to implement parts of the review process even if they are not thinking about the review process at the time.

The Adults in Scouting Working Group have revised the role descriptions for County Commissioners, District Commissioners and Group Scout Leaders.

It is believed that these revised role descriptions make it easier to determine what the priority tasks for each of these key roles really are.

These role description are available through the Information Centre or are downloadable from the Adult Support Role Description web page on this site.

NEW SCOUT FELLOWSHIP NATIONAL SUPPORT TEAM

On 3rd Dec 2005 Glenn Walker hosted a Consultation Day at Gilwell Park. Seven Fellowship people joined Glenn to discuss the future role of Fellowship, and to consider what direction Glenn's Team should endeavour to proceed. After an exhaustive day of brainstorming and thought provoking discussions there were clear needs defined. Glenn would like to extend his thanks and appreciation to those that took part in the day.

As a result of this Consultation day, Glenn is pleased to welcome Ken Ridgway, Steve Brownless, and Marc Hall to his National Support Team. Over the coming months details of the projects and strategy of the Team will be available. Remember that although you may not be apart of the National Team, the team will require your continuous support and may call on you for specific assistance for future endeavours.

Previous editions of Adult Support News can be downloaded below:

Dec 2004

June 2004

March 2004

November 2003

June 2003

Each issue of Scouting magazine covers a number of Adult Support issues. Each issue there will be a section called Ask the National Commissioner, this is your chance to have your questions answered by the Richard Wade - National Commissioner (Adult Support).

Each edition of Ask the National Commissioner will be published here along with other articles giving updates on the work of the Adult Support Team.

Scouting Magazine downloads:

• Ask the Natioanl Commissioner: Ageism - February/March 2005
• What's going on? The Work of the Adult Support Team - February/March 2005

Click here to view Scouting magazine online.

Have YOU got a question for Richard? Why not get in touch. Write or email at the address given below.

You can obtain further support about Adult Support from the Adult Support Office at The Scout Association Headquarters. The Adult Support Office can be contacted on:

adult.support@scout.org.uk

or by post to:

Adult Support Office
The Scout Association
Gilwell Park, Chingford
London, E4 7QW

or

Telephone: 020 8433 7136

Fax Number: 020 8433 7114