About Wansdyke Scouts
Wansdyke District Scouts is a collection of Scout groups and units in North East Somerset. The district provides support and leadership to 9 Scout Groups and 4 Explorer Units. We’re one of 9 districts within Avon County, and are part of The Scouts, a national charity.
Our main aim is to help young people and adults develop the skills they need for life. Young people and adult volunteers enjoy fun and adventure while developing the skills they need to succeed, now and in the future. We’re talking about teamwork, leadership and resilience – skills that have helped Scouts become everything from
teachers and social workers to astronauts and Olympians. We believe in bringing people together. We celebrate diversity and stand against intolerance, always. We’re a worldwide movement, creating stronger communities and inspiring positive futures.
Our values
Since the birth of Scouting in 1907, we’ve stuck by our guiding principles and aren’t afraid to speak out.
- Integrity – We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
- Respect – We have self-respect and respect for others.
- Care – We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
- Belief – We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
- Co-operation – We make a positive difference; we cooperate with others and make friends.
Our vision
We want to…
- Grow: we believe Scouts changes lives so we want to give every young person in the UK the opportunity to join.
- Become more inclusive: everyone, regardless of their background, should be able to participate in Scouts
- Be more youth shaped: every young person should be shaping their experience and developing their leadership potential
Impact our communities: through social action, Scouts makes a difference not just to the individual but to whole communities.
Outline
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and keen individual to take on this exciting role of Assistant District Commissioner (ADC) for our Cub Scouts section. You’ll be responsible for inspiring, leading and supporting the development of the Cub Scout section in Wansdyke. You’ll be working closely with our District Commissioner and wider team and be a key person in the growth of Scouting in Wansdyke.
Key information
Responsible for: District Leaders
Responsible to: District Commissioner
Main contacts: District Commissioner, Deputy District Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioners, Section Leaders (Cubs), Group Scout Leaders, Wider District Team, County Assistant Commissioner (Cubs Scouts Support)
Time Commitment
This is a flexible role, and timings can be agreed with your volunteer line manager to make the position work for you. There is an expectation that the role holder will participate in district team meetings where appropriate, which usually occur on a quarterly basis. The post holder would also be responsible for organising meetings with the Cub Leaders across the district, although these timings are flexible.
Conditions
Applicants will be provided with a comprehensive training programme to engage with. Of this, there are deadlines for important training such as safeguarding and safety training.
All applicants will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check to ensure they are fit to work with young people. Applicants must also read and understand The Scouts’ key policies.
Key responsibilities
- Support Cub leaders to deliver an exciting engaging programme through, ensuring that The Scouts’ policies and method are being integrated
- Assist the volunteer managers in groups (Group Scout Leaders) in ensuring that a balanced programme is in place in the Cubs section
- Work alongside the District Team to support all Leaders and Commissioners in matters
- relating to the Section and its Leaders
- Promote and encourage the Section in the implementation of all policies of The Scout
- Association, especially the key policies as laid down in Chapter 2 of POR
- Maintain a working relationship with the District Commissioner and wider district team, providing contributions or requesting support where necessary
- Work in partnership with District Team in the management of the district
- Work with the District Section Leaders to ensure a high-quality programme of district events is
- available throughout the year
- Maintain contact relevant to the section age group within the local community
- Promote the section’s Scouting to the local community
- Provide section-specific guidance and feedback to the District Commissioner to support the development of the district
- Visit sections around the district to observe, share ideas and provide supportWork with the wider District Team to lead on providing support to sections as we emerge
- from COVID-19.
Person specification
- Good communication skills
- Ability to empathise with and understand others’ problems and issues and develop
- solutions
- Chair and run meetings with Section Leaders to discuss, plan and arrange what activities
- would benefit the section, bringing the District together collaboratively.
- IT literacy, with an ability to communicate using email and use basic software such as word processing. The post holder will be given a Google Workspace account to use for email and documents
- Understanding of Scouting and/or the Cubs section would be an advantage but is not necessary
- Good time-management skills
- Friendly and has the ability to work with and understand other people
- Willing to learn and be part of the larger District Team contributing to the development of
- Section within WansdykeUnderstand the limits of the role as agreed with the District Commissioner and when to consult when something falls outside of these – in other words “know what you don’t know” and seek help
