Information for Section Leaders
Discover how you can support Explorer Scout Young Leaders in your section
Working alongside an Explorer Scout Young Leader (ESYL) opens up many great opportunities for a section. ESYLs can bring a range of different skills and experience to the section they support and can help invaluably with the planning and running of your section. This not only benefits your section but allows the ESYL to develop skills for later life, equipping them for successful careers, and to take on adult roles within Scouting. As a section leader, the support you offer your ESYL will contribute towards their development and ensure that the section gets the most out of their time.
Your obligations
While an ESYL is working within a section, the section leader is responsible for their safety and welfare. It's important to remember that an ESYL is still a young person, regardless of their responsibilities. The same Young People First (Yellow Card) guidance you apply to your section should also be applied to ESYLs. You should never spend time one-on-one with an ESYL, and should never directly text or email them without copying in other members of the leadership team, for example.
Camps and residential trips
When the ESYL takes part in a camp or residential, consideration should also be given to the sleeping arrangements. The ESYL should have their own separate accommodation. They should not share with adult leaders, or with the young people in the section.
Missions
As part of the Scheme, ESYLs will need to complete 4 missions. They should carry out these missions in the section and will need your support to achieve these.
After completing a mission, the ESYL may ask you to complete a short statement or make a comment on how they got on. You can log this in their ESYL Logbook. Feedback will help them to evaluate what went well and what they wish to focus on developing further.
Group Lead Volunteer support
An ESYL offers a great opportunity for a section. They bring a range of different skills and experiences with them, and can support with the planning and running of a section. This not only benefits the section, but allows the ESYL to develop their skills for later life, equipping them for successful careers and to take on adult roles in Scouting.
As the Group Lead Volunteer, you have an important part to play in supporting ESYLs within the sections in your Group. After all, an ESYL is part of a section’s leadership team.
Know the amount of ESYLs currently active within your Group, and have an overview of who they are. This will help you ensure they are best supported, and will also help when filling in a census. Introduce yourself when visiting sections to make sure they know who you are. If they have any issues in the section, they may come to you or their Explorer Scout Leader Young Leader. Similarly, it’s important to know who your ESLYL is and maintain a relationship with them.
Make sure ESYLs feel supported in the section they support. It's important that section leaders are aware of the benefits having an ESYL on board can bring. As a part of the leadership team, they can be involved with running activities and games, help with Youth Shaped programme planning, and get involved in camps. ESYLs will also input fresh and inspiring new ideas, which will benefit the programme. Check in with section leaders to find out how ESYLs are getting on.
Make sure all ESYLs have completed Module A within three months and encourage this process. It's important ESYLs are equipped to respond appropriately should a situation arise, protecting themselves and the young person.
Ensure section leaders are aware of the 4 missions. ESYLs should carry out these missions in the section, and may need support to enable them to achieve their goals.
Promote the wider Explorer Scout provision to the ESYLs in the Group and encourage them to complete their top awards.
District Explorer Scout Commissioner advice
The ESYLS is part of the Explorer Scout programme and an important part of the District Explorer Scout Commissioner (DESC) role.
Lots of Young Leaders don't know that they are completing the volunteering sections of Duke of Edinburgh's Awards or Chief/King's Scout Award. Make it a target to tell young people how they can sign up and complete their Awards while they're a Young Leader.
You could organise an introduction session with your District/County DofE Adviser who can help you plan to support the Awards and let you know about any upcoming adult volunteer training.
We recommend that DESCs appoint an Explorer Scout Leader Young Leader (ESLYL) or a team of ESYLs to look after and deliver the Scheme. The ESLYL would be responsible for ensuring the modules are delivered in the District and for developing the ESYL provision.
As the DESC, you'll directly line manage the ESLYL. In absence of this role, the managing of the Scheme would come to you as line manager.
Recruiting the right person or people will make the Scheme more successful. Be clear about what you want each person to do, and suggest how you want them to do it.
Remember: the role requires someone who is inspirational, well organised and engaging when delivering training.
Find out how the ESLYL would like to be supported. Let them know if you're planning to visit a meeting, and schedule extra time to catch up and review how things are going.
The methods used to deliver the modules vary, and can be adapted to the suit the needs of the ESYLs. However, ESYLs must complete module A within three months of starting the Scheme. This is because the module contains an introduction to the Scheme, alongside vital information on child protection, safeguarding and safety.
Note: ESYLs should also receive a copy of Young People First (Orange Card), which is the ESYL version of Young People First (Yellow Card) given to adult volunteers.
Make sure the wider Explorer provision is promoted to ESYLs, and ask other Explorer Leaders to promote the Scheme in return. The Scheme offers many benefits to Explorers who complete it, and it's important to shout about that.
ESYLs develop an array of skills, such as communication, leadership and planning. When talking to young people and Explorer Leaders, promote the fact that the Scheme counts towards the volunteering elements of other Scouting awards, such as the Chief Scout’s Platinum and Diamond Awards, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards and the top award in Scouting: the King’s Scout Award.
Remember, Explorers can be involved in more than one Unit and Districts can support each other to get the best offer to young people.
You could promote the Scheme to those supporting the Scout section, and talk about why the Scheme matters at District meetings. It's important that the District Executive understand the importance of the Scheme as they approve the financing of it.
As a DESC, support the ESLYL in thinking about how you celebrate ESYLs. The ESYL belt shows a young person has dedicated an incredible amount of time to supporting younger sections and upskilling themselves. It's important to recognise this achievement in the same way you would a top award.
District Executive advice
The ESYLS is part of the Explorer Scout programme and an important part of the District Executive’s responsibilities.
The District’s role in supporting the ESYLs Scheme involves being:
- responsible for offering a programme for ESYLs within their District.
- responsible for ensuring an Explorer Scout Leader Young Leader (ESLYL) is in appointment within the District.
- responsible for covering and running ESYL training, alongside the District Explorer Scout Commissioner, in the absence of an ESLYL.
- responsible for championing and supporting the work of ESYLs across the District.
- responsible for ensuring that there is youth representation on the District Executive.
Administrative duties include:
- making sure adequate facilities are made available to your ESLYL for training.
- providing financial support.
- making connections with District, County, Region or Area teams as appropriate.
- making wider partnerships with individuals and teams who can support local ESYL training (eg SENCO coordinators, safeguarding teams).
County, Region or Area teams advice
Supporting the ESYLS involves being responsible for:
- ensuring District Commissioners have a District Explorer Scout Commissioner or District Explorer Scout Administrator role appointed with appropriate provision for ESYLs.
- working alongside the Assistant County/Region, or Area Commissioner Explorers to provide additional Countywide ESYL training if deemed needed or wanted.
- exploring the possibility of appointing Assistant County/Region or Area Commissioner ESYLs to support the work of ESYLs within the County, Region or Area.
- championing and supporting the work of ESYLs across the County, Region or Area.
Working with other adult volunteers also involves being responsible for making connections with other District, County, Region or Area teams as appropriate, and exploring wider partnerships with individuals or teams who can support local ESYL training (eg SENCO coordinators, safeguarding teams).
Growing your ESYL provision
The Scheme equips Explorers with life skills and prepares them to be successful citizens. At such an important time in a young person’s life, the Scheme offers them a chance to develop, to give back to their communities and to have fun along the way.
ESYLs are a brilliant asset to any section. They diversify the leadership team and bring fresh ideas and inspiration to the table. With the right development, they can become fantastic section leaders, ensuring that even more young people in the future benefit from the adventures, friendship and skill development Scouting brings.
The greater the number of young people who complete the Scheme, the greater impact the Scheme has. Therefore, growing your ESYL provision locally is an incredibly important task.
Here are some top tips to consider when growing your provision, or increasing numbers in your District:
Do you have a team around you who can help with delivering modules? Is there anyone who can step in and support if you are away? Delegating tasks and bringing others in on the Scheme is important. If your numbers grow, a strong team can help you to keep on top of the provision and offer a high quality experience.
At every opportunity, tell people about the Scheme and your role within it. For example, you could talk to other members at District events, email new members in the District to introduce yourself, attend Explorer meetings, or consider sending a newsletter with your name and picture attached.
With agreement from Explorer Scout Leaders, visit Explorer Units to promote the Scheme. It's important to work in partnership with Explorer Scout Leaders. Explain what it's all about and run some activities from the modules to promote the Scheme.
Word of mouth can be extremely effective, as ESYLs themselves are the biggest influence to their peers.
Collaborate with the Explorer Scout Leaders and District Explorer Scout Commissioners. As all three roles support the 14-18 Explorer provision, it's preferable to make sure there are clear expectations about who is responsible for doing what.
For example, local schools and colleges are a brilliant place to promote the Scheme, as well as the wider Explorer programme. You might want to come up with a plan of who is going visit schools, and to discuss how you might best approach them.
The District Executive look after the funding of District provision. If funding is preventing you doing something, speak to your DESC and your Treasurer. There may be helpful funds available which you are not aware of. Lots of local businesses and initiatives are very supportive of schemes that help young people develop life skills, too.
Consider contacting them to see whether they can support. From free pizza donations for training events, to financial support to help an ESYL go on a section’s camp, it's always worth finding out what your options are. The Scout Association also offers funds for certain activities. To find out more about what is available at the current time, please visit our grants page.
Completing the Scheme as part of a top Scouting award is a great way to encourage more young people to give it a go.
Young leaders are currently less likely to gain their Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards and Chief Scouts Awards despite their volunteering efforts in the Young Leaders' Scheme counting towards those awards.
Celebrating and recognising successes is an important part of creating a positive environment. The ESYL journey has seen dedication and hard work. Think about how you can make it a special experience. Don’t forget to celebrate all the work you and your team have put into getting them there, too. Without the support, guidance and hard work of volunteers, the ESYLs would never have completed the Scheme.
Reviewing the Explorer Scout Young Leader provision in the District
The Programme Development Toolkit is designed to help you plan and review your ESYL provision, and make sure that you are delivering quality Scouting to the ESYLs you work with. A quality programme is challenging, relevant and rewarding for every young person.
What we mean by challenging:
- opportunities for outdoor and adventurous activities in safe environments.
- opportunities for young people to gain confidence by participating in new or less familiar activities, and by stepping outside their comfort zone.
- all young people can enjoy and achieve, regardless of their abilities.
What we mean by relevant:
- young people shape the programme based on what they want to learn and explore.
- the needs of every young person are met.
- volunteers respond to what young people are currently inquisitive about, reflecting their interests in the programme.
What we mean by rewarding:
- programme actively develops skills for life, including teamwork and leadership.
- young people are supported with their progression through the sections.
- young people are excited about Scouting, having fun, and increasing in confidence.
The green (a), amber (b), and red (c) categories below will help you identify any areas where the ESYL Scheme could be improved, and to set targets when planning.
This tool could be used to review the last year of term, and identify areas that need a greater focus. Pick the answer that best applies to your programme for each question. To make sure the tool is as beneficial as possible, you should be open and honest while completing it.
What percentage of Explorer Scout Young Leaders gain module A?
- 80% or more
- 60% or less
- 30% or less
What percentage of ESYLs complete the 4 missions?
- 80% or more
- 60% or less
- 30% or less
What percentage of ESYLs complete modules B-J?
- 80% or more
- 60% or less
- 30% or less
What percentage of ESYLs complete all 11 modules and 4 missions?
- 80% or more
- 60% or less
- 30% or less
Upon reaching the age of 18, are ESYLs aware of the options open to them?
- Aware of adult volunteer roles and Scout Network
- Aware of adult volunteer roles, especially as an assistant section leader or similar
- Not aware of the options available to them
ESYLs have confidence and take on a leadership role to pass on skills to younger members:
- Strongly agree
- Agree, but they could do more
- Disagree that they have the confidence
Youth involvement
- ESYLs attend Programme planning sessions with section leaders they work with regularly.
- ESYLs attend Programme planning sessions with section leaders they work with sometimes.
- ESYLs attend Programme planning sessions with section leaders they work with rarely.