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Young Leaders

Young leaders must be between the ages of 14 and 18. They are affiliated to the fourth section of the Scouting family,. Explorer Scouts and where appropriate, wear the Explorer Scout Uniform consisting of a brown shirt or blouse with a navy blue activity trousers or skirt.

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Age Range

About Young Leaders

Young Leaders are effectively Explorer Scouts who choose to devote a large proportion of their time in Scouting to service in another section and may or may not wish to be part of an Explorer Scout Unit and attend regular Explorer Scout meetings. This doesn't stop you from being a Young Leader.

The Young Leaders' Scheme helps young people to develop and grow as individuals. It allows them to make a valuable contribution to their community and give service to others. The scheme also helps them fulfil the service elements of awards, both within and external to Scouting..

All leaders in the Beaver Scout, Cub Scout and Scout Section who are between the ages of 14 and 18 must be members of a Young Leader Unit.

Young Leader Training Scheme

Young Leader training is broken up into Modules and Missions.

There are a number of modules that are designed to cover all aspects of training. They will help Young Leaders become aware of, and learn how to deal with various different facets of leadership within the Scouting Movement. The modules are designed to be flexible and encourage innovation, so be as creative as you can!

There are also four missions to be completed alongside the eleven modules These missions are designed to allow the Young Leaders to put the learning from the Modules into practice. By doing so, they will gain in confidence and become an integral part of the leadership team within their Section and Group.

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to become a young leader, how do I do this?

The first point of call is to speak with your Explorer Leader. They will be able to assist you with signing up to the scheme so you can complete your training and help out with a section!

Can I attend a Scout Group as part of my Duke of Edinburgh Award?

Scouting welcomes Young Leaders from other organisations such as GirlGuiding, Cadets or those completing the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme and needing to undertake their service. As part of this, members may attend regular sessions within a group and will need to complete some of the training from the Young Leader Scheme in order to fulfil the requirements of the service.

I have some modules and missions that need signing off, who do I need to contact for this?

Please contact young.leaders@northlincsscouts.org.uk and our District Youth Lead will be in contact with you.

Info for leaders

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.

ESYLs undertake a training Scheme that consists of 11 modules and four missions. Modules cover a variety of topics such as programme planning, inclusive Scouting and first aid. Usually, ESYLs go through this training with other ESYLs, completing modules together. Missions, which are similar to the validation section in the adult training scheme, put the learning from the modules into action. These are what the ESYL will need to complete in the section they support. 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. Below are some top tips for working with ESYLs in your section.

Welcome them

Before an ESYL’s first session, make sure they know where they are going and who they can expect to meet there. Ideally, you should meet with the ESYL before the first session. Much like any new leader, ESYLs may feel nervous, or may not know what to expect. At the start of the session, take time to introduce them to the other leaders and young people. At the end of the session, introduce them to the parents. This familiarity will help put them at ease.

Get to know them

Spend a little bit of time getting to know your ESYL. Just like adult leaders, they will have a range of experiences and skills to share.

Encourage them to get them stuck in

ESYLs can help with an array of tasks. They are not there to make the juice or the tea, any more than any other leader. They are an integral part of your leadership team. By investing some time with your ESYL at the beginning, you are much more likely to see them develop and take an active role in planning and running the section.

ESYLs could:

help to plan the programme
plan and run youth forums and games to get feedback from the section
plan and run games and activities
open or close the meeting
help with websites or social media pages (with support, as they are still under 18)
run sessions on topics they feel confident about
talk to young people about their experiences
help to organise events
inspire the section, acting as a role model
attend residential trips and camps

In order for ESYLs to complete these activities, they will need some support from you. It is advisable to talk through any tasks or activities before they do them for the first time. Consider whether you are the best person in the section’s leadership team to support the ESYL. Is there someone else in the leadership team who would thrive buddying a new member of the team?

What do ESYLs get out of the Scheme?

The benefits an ESYL will get out of the Scheme are very similar to the benefits of being an adult leader. Like adult volunteers, ESYLs will get to see young people develop, have fun and give back to their communities, all while developing some useful, transferable life skills.

What are your obligations?

Whilst an ESYL is working within a section, the section leader is responsible for their safety and welfare. It is 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.

Young People First (Orange Card) and Module A

When ESYLs start the Scheme, they will be given a copy of Young People First (Orange Card). This is the ESYL version of the Young People First (Yellow Card). ESYLs must also complete Module A of the Scheme within three months. This is integral as the module provides detailed information about safeguarding and child protection. A young person is more likely to disclose to someone closer to their age. It is important that the ESYL is equipped with the right skills and knowledge to deal with any situations that arise.

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.