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District Youth Lead - Vacancy

Could YOU be Hertford District Scouts new District Youth Lead volunteer?

Overview of Youth Shaped

At Scouts, we provide young people with the opportunities to develop Skills for Life – including confidence to speak up, feeling empowered to make a difference and being ready to take the lead.

That’s what being youth shaped is all about. Our programmes and decisions are shaped by young people, working in partnership with volunteers.

“Applying to become Youth Lead was genuinely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Through this role I’ve learned so much, got to work with a really great team, and made a big difference to the experience of young people in Scouts”.

The difference you’ll make to young people

Youth Leads help young people to make their voices heard and improve scouts for the better. You’ll be working to help more young people get the opportunity to speak up and take the lead – skills and experiences that set them up for the future. And in the process, you’ll get to learn plenty of new skills yourself too.

“Seeing the difference this role makes to young people is the best part. I’ve watched young people speak up and shape their scouting experience for the better – and I couldn’t be more proud”

About the role

What does a Youth Lead do?

Youth Leads are volunteers responsible for driving youth shaped in their local area. They support volunteers, shape the programme, influence decisions that we make at Scouts and take the lead.

They are aged 18-25 at appointment and enable volunteers to embed the ideas and decisions of young people into local scouting.

They play a key role in the leadership and management of the Area. They need to motivate both volunteers and young people. Responsilities in a Youth Lead role vary, but are likely to include:

Help to make sure that the Area programme is shaped by young people
Create opportunities for young people to provide feedback (often through an Area Youth Forum)
Promote the YouShape award and top awards
Support the District Youth Leads in their Area, bringing them together to support each other, share ideas, and work towards a shared vision
Inspire and motivate young people in the Area and make sure they know about all the different opportunities available to them in Scouts, including what they can do when they turn 18
Influence decisions that are made in the Area as a member of the Area Trustee Board, making sure that young people are at the heart of decisions.

Support every step of the way

Area Youth Leads are line managed by the Area Lead Volunteer, who will help you set objectives and work with you towards improving local youth shaped scouting.

And the Scouts Cymru and the UK Youth team are also here to support Area Youth Leads - running inductions, events, webinars and more. So, you’ll have support available whenever you need it.

What you’ll get from the role

Being a Youth Lead is an amazing role. As well as helping to drive youth shaped locally and giving young people a say, you’ll also be learning loads of new skills and having fun along the way.

You’ll get experience and develop skills that will look seriously impressive on a CV or university application - things like teamwork, communication and organisation, but also experience with governance, working with young people and leading others.

Across the UK, there are now over 600 Youth Leads doing amazing things. Ready to join them?

All about the role

Outline

As a member of the Area Leadership Team the Area Youth Lead works in partnership with the Area Lead and Chair of the Area Trustee Board. The role is to ensure that young people from 4 – 24 years are involved and engaged in every decision that shapes their Scouting experience locally and to empower young people to share their ideas and have a meaningful voice in planning, implementing and reviewing their programme and opportunities.

Responsible to:

Area Lead Volunteer

Responsible for:

Area Youth Forum (or similar) Lead,

Main Contacts:

Young people within their Area, Area Lead Volunteer, Area Youth Forum Lead, District Lead Volunteers, Area Chair, members of the Area Trustee Board and its sub-committees, District Youth Leads and other Area Youth Leads.

Appointment requirements:

18-25 years old at the time of appointment. Must successfully complete the appointment process (including acceptable personal enquiries and acceptance of The Scout Association's policies). During the six months of Provisional Appointment the Growing Roots learning must be completed. A Wood Badge may be completed during the appointment, and ongoing safeguarding learning, safety learning and first aid must be completed.

Main Tasks

• Champion, encourage and lead the work to ensure that, by 2025, Scouting in the Area is shaped by young people in partnership with adults. This will be achieved by working in partnership and collaboration and with the Area Lead Volunteer, Area Chair, District Youth Leads and Area Leadership Team

• Support youth shaped scouting in the programme

• Embed young people in local decision making

• Develop young people in the Area

• Wider engagement with the work of the Area

Note: Some of the tasks for which the Area Youth Lead is responsible may be delegated to others in the Area.

“I never thought I’d get the role, but I decided to apply anyway just in case. 3 years later, I’m so glad I did. I’d recommend applying to everyone who is considering it”.

Process

Thank you for your interest in volunteering.

You can apply for the role using the application form.

Shortlisting will be based solely on the information provided by each candidate in their application form. All applications should address the requirements of the role, as laid out in the role description and person specification.

“What surpised me most when starting the role was the amazing support that was available from my local team and other Youth Leads. I’ve made new friends and gotten to work with some great people”

How to apply

Complete the application form!

Person Specification

Age
18 – 25 years old	Essential
Skills required
Ability to lead and motivate teams	Essential
Excellent communication skills	Essential
Able to work well in meetings	Essential
Excellent presentating and facilitating skills	Essential
Able to work with young people and adults	Essential
Able to take on responsibility and meet deadlines	Essential
Knowledge required
An understanding of the structure and principles of The Scouts	Desireable
Previous experience of Scouts	Desireable
Qualities required
Accept the policies and rules of The Scouts	Essential
Willingness to become a member, take The Scout Association Promise and wear the Scout Uniform	Essential
Accept and promote Scouting's fundamentals and the implementation of the youth programme	Essential
Have enough time available to commit to the role	Essential

Hertford District