{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EAt Scouts, we want to encourage a culture of ongoing learning, where both our young people and our volunteers have the opportunity to grow and develop skills for life. Aiming to achieve this goal, and to provide our volunteers with the skills and knowledge to keep everyone safe, we offer them learning opportunities to our volunteers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFollowing-up on the volunteers\u2019 learning progress is one of the Team Leaders\u0027 and Lead Volunteers\u0027 responsibilities. That happens through checking if the volunteer is confident when performing their tasks, and also by making sure they complete the required learning.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHere you find support for Team Leaders and Lead Volunteers when talking about uncompleted learning with their teams and some tips on what to consider when preparing for the conversation.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/16398/having-a-conversation-about-overdue-training.png","width":2400,"height":1600,"altText":"Having a conversation about overdue training","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E1. Choose the right moment and approach for the conversation\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EThinking of how the volunteer would best respond to the conversation is the starting point when planning for it. As their leader, you might already know if they prefer to have a chat before or after the next Scout meeting, or a video/phone call at another time, but there is no harm in asking them for their preference.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs you know, the time and place you choose, and the approach and tone of voice you use will influence on how the volunteer receives and responds to the conversation. Creating an environment of understanding, where both you and the volunteer feel comfortable, is really important.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E2. Check if they understand why learning is important\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp class=\u0022rte-justify\u0022\u003EYou can take this opportunity to explain why we take learning seriously at Scouts and remind them of its benefits, both for the volunteers themselves and the people they volunteer with.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022rte-justify\u0022\u003EAs a general rule, people are more likely to do something when they truly understand its purpose and they see value on it. We know that completing learning might not be as fun as running a Scout activity, but we have a collective responsibility to make sure we\u0027re all equipped with the right skills to keep everyone safe.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EKeeps people safe.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EProvides a shared understanding of best practices.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECommunicates our values, standards, policies and expectations.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EImproves the quality of the programme we deliver.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EGives volunteers opportunities to develop existing and new skills.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEmpowers the volunteers to perform their tasks and responsibilities.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHelps to accomplish our duty to look after the young people in our care.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Why we take learning seriously at Scouts"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EImproves knowledge.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EProvides new skills.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDevelops existing skills further.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPrepares for responsibilities.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EImproves self-confidence.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EShows we care about our young people.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERecognises competencies and knowledge.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECelebrates achievements.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Benefits of learning"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E3. Ask what is stopping them from completing their learning\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp class=\u0022rte-justify\u0022\u003EEach volunteer might have a different reason why they haven\u2019t completed their learning. It\u2019s important to allow them to share their reasons with you, and not presume them. This is particularly important as an individual could have additional support or learning needs that you are unaware of.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022rte-justify\u0022\u003EThey might be really busy at work, going through a difficult moment in their personal lives, or just not understand what learning they\u0027re required to do. Some volunteers might be worried about not having the right skills or equipment to complete their learning, or they might have had negative training experiences in the past.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E4. Explore what support they need\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp class=\u0022rte-justify\u0022\u003EOnce you have an understanding of what is stopping the volunteer from completing their learning, you can start exploring what you, your wider team and anyone else can do to best support them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022rte-justify\u0022\u003EYou can also take this opportunity to check if they understand the learning they\u0027re required to do.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022rte-justify\u0022\u003EBelow you find some suggested actions you can propose to help volunteers complete their learning.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWhile we don\u2019t want the experience of our young people to be affected by our learning commitments, offering the volunteer the option to use the time they already dedicate to Scouts to complete their learning might be a last resource when other alternatives have failed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUse the time of the Scout meeting to complete the learning. You can support them by finding a leader to cover the volunteer\u2019s absence that week.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFor e-learning courses, you can suggest they bring a laptop or tablet to the Scout meeting, and sit aside while another leader is running an activity.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf there\u0027s a group of leaders from the same session who need to complete learning, you can suggest they cancel one Scout meeting and use the time of the Scout meeting to complete the learning at home, all together at their regular meeting place, or to attend a face-to-face learning course.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESome work places encourage their employees to volunteer by allowing them to use some working hours towards their volunteering. You can check with the volunteer if this is a possibility where they work.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Volunteer has a busy schedule and not much free time"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDouble check what is the delivery method available for the course they\u0027re required to do: face-to-face, e-learning, or a combination of both. The volunteer might not be aware that many courses are currently done online, and therefore can be completed at any day and time.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFor face-to-face learning courses, you can help the volunteer check the offer available in your County/Area/Region, as they might not know where or how to book them. If there is not enough offer, you might consider contacting the Volunteering Development Team and enquiry about the learning offer in the near future.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESome work places encourage their employees to volunteer by allowing them to use some working hours towards their volunteering. You can check with the volunteer if this is a possibility where they work.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Volunteer can\u2019t find a learning course compatible with their schedule"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETemporary exceptions can be made to exclude a member from receiving learning reminder emails if the volunteer is going through a difficult moment, such as bereavement or being ill. You can check if the volunteer could be considered to be included in the exemptions list by emailing \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:training.compliance@scouts.org.uk\u0022\u003Etraining.compliance@scouts.org.uk\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EConsider using the time of the Scout meeting to complete the learning at home. You can support them by finding a leader to cover the volunteer\u2019s absence that week. If suggesting this option, take into consideration that being part of a Scout meeting might be an important part of their support network and mental wellbeing.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Volunteer is going through a difficult time"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECheck with the team if there\u0027s a device with internet they can bring to the Scout meeting, and suggest the volunteer sits aside while another leader is running an activity.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECheck with the team if they have a device they could borrow for this purpose.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESuggest the volunteer has a conversation about alternatives with the Volunteering Development Team.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECheck if there\u0027re free internet access points around the volunteer\u2019s home, e.g. libraries.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECheck if there\u0027re funds that could be used to support the volunteer to access e-learning, e.g. purchasing a sim card with mobile data and a device for training purposes, or using an internet Caf\u00E9.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Volunteer has low or no access to the internet at home"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf the volunteer is not sure where to find the learning they need to complete at scouts.org.uk, share the \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/volunteer-experience/digital-tool-guides/my-learning/\u0022 title=\u0022My learning\u0022\u003ELearning digital tool guide\u003C/a\u003E with them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAsk another leader or member of team to act as a buddy/mentor, and show the volunteer how to access and complete these e-learning modules. You can suggest the buddy/mentor guides the volunteer through the website, or sits next to them while they are doing the training.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EContact the Volunteering Development Team and ask for support. They can help you find a suitable alternative.\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf the volunteer has a disability, health or medical condition, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/accessibility-at-the-scouts/using-accessibility-tools-for-independent-learning/\u0022\u003Eaccessibility tools for independent learning\u003C/a\u003E might be helpful for volunteers with vision or hearing problems, and in some cases, those with physical or motor issues.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Volunteer is struggling to access digital learning"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAsk the volunteer if there is any additional support you or others could offer. You could suggest a couple of ways to support them, for example, they partially complete the course (eg the theory part of First Aid training), or check if another leader or team member could act as a buddy/mentor to support them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFor e-learning, the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/accessibility-at-the-scouts/using-accessibility-tools-for-independent-learning/\u0022\u003Eaccessibility tools for independent learning\u003C/a\u003E might help volunteers with vision or hearing problems, and in some cases, those with physical or motor issues.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Volunteer has a disability, health or medical condition"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EExplain that renewing learning is a common practice across many organisations, and the main reasons for it are:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe guidelines and procedures can change over the years\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETo continually refresh skills and knowledge\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETo provide confidence when applying them\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOur young people and volunteers having a safe and great experience is very important and should be for all volunteers. Learning supports this.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Volunteer doesn\u2019t understand why they have to renew learning"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0 \u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E5. Agree on action plan\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp class=\u0022rte-justify\u0022\u003EYou can finish the conversation with a clear action plan. Both the volunteer and you should agree on the next steps each of you are expected to take, the timeframe to complete them, and the consequences of not doing it.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022rte-justify\u0022\u003EConsider if you might need to put \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-things-locally/recruiting-and-managing-volunteers/suspensions/mutually-agreed-restrictions/\u0022\u003Emutually agreed restrictions\u003C/a\u003E in place, or to suspend the volunteer until they complete their learning.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Tips for Team Leaders and Lead Volunteers when having a conversation about overdue learning","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"15 July 2023","reviewDate":"25/11/2021","redirectUrl":"","id":47203,"nodeName":"Encouraging volunteers to continue on their learning journey","title":"Encouraging volunteers to continue on their learning journey","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Encouraging volunteers to continue on their learning journey","headerSubTitle":"Five tips for Team Leaders and Lead Volunteers when having a conversation about overdue learning","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"490499","showSEOImage":true,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Tips for difficult conversations","url":"/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/constructive-conversations/","newWindow":false}]},"subHeader":"Tips for Team Leaders and Lead Volunteers when having a conversation about overdue learning","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NzIwMyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-things-locally/tools-to-support-leadership-teams/encouraging-volunteers-to-continue-on-their-learning-journey/"}