Welcome from Matt Hyde and Wayne Bulpitt
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Who we are and what we do
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Background, how we work, the role, how to apply
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Personal Specification
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Salary and Benefits
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Thank you for your interest in this role. This document does not form part of the terms and
conditions, but aims to give you more information about the role and its context.
Scouting changes lives. We make a positive difference in our communities and improve the life
chances and outcomes of young people from every background. We get the chance to work
with young people at the most important time in their lives: their childhood.
Scouting is about opportunity and that’s what young people need more than anything else.
From support and friendship to new skills and renewed confidence, Scouting brings a spirit of
optimism and practicality to its work. We welcome all young people into Scouting and we
believe passionately in what we do.
We believe that young people have great things to offer. In Scouting, they get the opportunity to
discover their potential, benefit from a positive, supportive environment and make a difference.
Whether it’s setting up an internet cafe in their community, going on canoeing trip with new
friends, taking a starring role in a Scout show or leading a trip abroad, we lift spirits, recognise
achievement and raise aspiration.
All of this is made possible by basic facilities and teams of dedicated adult volunteers. Positive
role models are vitally important. We want to inspire a new generation filled with a generosity of
spirit, and a determination to make things better for themselves and their communities.
Matt Hyde, Chief Executive
Wayne Bulpitt, UK Chief Commissioner
Scouting offers life-changing adventure to over 446,000 girls and boys. This makes us the
largest mixed youth movement in the UK. We help young people explore their potential, grow in
confidence and becomes the active citizens of the future. We make a positive impact on young
people, our adult volunteers and the communities in which we live.
Offering over 200 different activities from abseiling and archery to drama, street sports and
water zorbing, Scouting helps 6-25 year olds grow in confidence, achieve their full potential and
become active members of their communities.
This is only possible through the efforts of 100,000 volunteers who also enjoy the fun and
friendship of Scouting. And you can be part of this great adventure. The Scout Association is a
registered charity in the UK and part of a worldwide movement of 40 million Scouts working for
peace and global friendship.
‘Every child has the right to an adventure.
Life is about grabbing opportunities.
It's all about friendship and fun and adventure
– people who might not normally
have the chance for adventure. Scouts are
shining lights in their communities.’
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout
We are working towards our 2014-2018 strategic plan with a focus on the following key areas:
We believe that Scouting changes lives, which is why we want every young person in the UK to
have the opportunity to get involved
We need to remove the barriers to participation
Every young person should be able to shape their Scouting experience
We believe that Scouting makes a difference to individuals and to society
Read the full plan at www.scouts.org.uk/2018
The UK headquarters of The Scout Association is based at Gilwell Park, Chingford, London,
and is operationally divided into four directorates:
The Schools Development Officer (SDO) will support the Schools Development Manager (SDM) in
the delivery of the Character by Doing project.
Please ensure in your application form that you provide a statement as to why you believe you
are suitable for the role and what you believe you could bring to the post. Ensure you address
the points in the person specification (as attached in the relevant job pack). Please download
both the application form and fill in the recruitment monitoring form online. The
application form should be emailed to [email protected]
Please note that if you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date
please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.
Responsible to:
Directorate / Department:
Designated Regional Development Manager
Regional Development service, Scouting
Operations
Base Location:
Homebased
Salary Band:
Band E, Level 1
Line Management Responsibility:
N/A
Budgetary responsibility:
Responsible for managing agreed
income/expenditure budgets.
External Contacts:
Volunteers, funders and statutory bodies, the
general public, people and organisations from
the education and youth sector and other
stakeholders
Internal contacts:
Director of Scouting Operations, Head of
Programme, Adult Support and Inclusion,
Association Staff.
The above list is provided for guidance only and is not an exhaustive list of all the contacts with
whom the post holder may be required to liaise.
The Schools Development Officer (SDO) will support the Schools Development Manager (SDM) in
the delivery of the Character by Doing project. The SDO will be key in developing local sustainable
relationships with schools, local Scouting and potential volunteers.
Character by Doing is a 12 month pilot project led by The Scout Association (TSA) in partnership
with the independent think-tank Demos and six schools. The pilot seeks to tackle the barriers to
character education, specifically in deprived areas (within South East and East Midlands) by taking
an approach which gives school decision makers, teachers and teaching assistants and parents
the confidence to deliver Scouting. The pilot will focus specifically with young people aged 8-10
(Cubs) and measure whether this intervention has benefit on key character traits which underpin
success.
The job is part of the Scouting Directorate. In broad terms the directorate it is responsible for:
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ongoing development of the Programme for children and young people in Scouting
working with the World Organisation of the Scout Movement, the European Region and other
National Scout Organisations
training and support of adult leaders, managers and other volunteers
providing field based staff support across England, particularly focussing upon the
development of Scouting
Along with other departments, it also has organisational wide responsibility for the development
and growth of Scouting across the United Kingdom.
 Support and work in partnership with the Project Management Team, District
Commissioners, Group Scout Leaders and other volunteers to achieve successful
Scouting models in schools.
 Engage school leaders to take part in the pilot and maintain strong and effective
relationships throughout the project.
 Enable and motivate teachers and teaching assistants to deliver Scouting within the
school environment.
 Enable and motivate local Scouting to devise, apply and refresh relationships with local
schools.
 Advise and support schools to recruit and retain adult volunteers.
 Be a key liaison point between the Schools Development Manager and local Scouting –
effectively communicating any concerns/issues as they arise.
 Active recruitment of adult volunteers
 Advise, support and encourage Scouting to engage with communities currently underrepresented in Scouting and provide Scouting for them.
 Help develop and deliver training, events and activities within and outside the County,
designed to support a Scouting in schools model and promote local growth and
development through stakeholder meetings
 Liaise with other staff from the Scouting Operations Directorate and across headquarters,
particularly concerning development and adult support issues.
 Represent Headquarters and its Departments in the Region and in Counties.
 Administer and maintain an effective home based office and budget.
 Any other duties as may reasonably be required by the Assistant Director of Programme &
Development.
(Included in all job descriptions)
Data Protection
The post holder hereby agrees not to disclose any confidential or sensitive information to a third
party or outside organisation except where required to do so by law.
Health and Safety
The post holder agrees to abide by TSA’s Health and Safety principles and code of conduct and
to take all reasonable steps to ensure both their own safety in the work place as well as that of
their colleagues.
Equal Opportunities
The post holder agrees to promote and uphold the principles of equal opportunities in
accordance with TSA’s Equal Opportunities Statement and all related policies.
Safeguarding
The post holder agrees to comply with the Associations policies and procedures on
safeguarding at all times.
Knowledge
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An understanding of the English education system and curriculum (HD)
An understanding of most, if not all of the following issues: rural communities, urban
communities, minority ethnic communities, local authority youth and community service,
partnership projects (E)
Experience
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Member of The Scout Association or The Guide Association as an adult (E)
Experience of working with volunteer groups outside Scouting (HD)
Hold a full driving licence (E)
Have access to a private vehicle for business use (E)
Skills
 Possess high level of relationship skills to ensure effective relationships with a wide
range of people from young people, to Chief, Regional, County and District
Commissioners to leaders of faith communities and external bodies (E
 Manage a diverse workload and reach targets that are set within deadlines (E)
 Advise on project planning and development issues
 Able to support volunteers with critical incident management (E)
 Work independently of direct supervision (E)
 Work as part of a team (E)
 Provide own administrative support (E)
 Be an effective trainer (HD)
 Be committed to the fundamentals and values of Scouting (E)
 Be enthusiastic and able to enthuse others (E)
 Be a self-starter (E)
 Able to operate from home based office accepting the constraints this places on
personal/family life (E)
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Live in a geographical location to enable effective management of staff and liaison with
volunteers in the relevant Region / County (E)
Able and willing to work frequent evenings and weekends (E)
Able and willing to travel extensively, including spending nights away from home (E)
Willing and able to be a Member of the Scout Movement (E)
TSA competencies (as set out in the competency framework)
Competency Framework: Level 4
Team Working: Builds rapport with others
Effective Communication: Displays a positive, proactive, balanced attitude
Getting Things Done: Strives for continued improvement
Customer/Member Care and Support: Adds value
Leadership, Management and Self Management: Demonstrates a positive attitude in the
workplace
Skills and Experience: Has a good level of understanding/experience of the technical
competency and is able to apply it with little or no guidance
Values and Personal Qualities
 Excellent customer/ client service skills
 Current clean driving licence
If we are to achieve such an ambitious and bold agenda we need to be clear on the principles
that will define our way of working over the next four years. These principles are:
Results-focused
Ambitious but realistic targets have been agreed for every part of this plan. Volunteers and staff
across the Movement will be supported to work towards these goals so that we can unlock our
collective power.
Partnership and collaboration
We make a greater difference when we work with people across society. Effective partnership
working will be essential if we are to extend our reach and impact.
Evidence-driven
We need to build a body of evidence to prove what is working as we work towards our goals.
We cannot rely on anecdote. We will build on our existing research to further demonstrate the
impact we make on people’s lives. We must do this if we are to truly be understood by wider
society evidencing our relevance and impact.
Sharing and celebrating successes
We will achieve more by sharing best practice across the Movement and celebrating successes.
We’ll find new ways of ensuring we are learning from each other and recognising best practice.
Innovation
Scouting began with a single, inspired idea and we haven’t forgotten the power of innovation.
Fresh thinking is the only way to help us achieve our ambitious aims. We will encourage new
thinking across the Movement to stimulate creative solutions to age old challenges.
Youth-shaped
If we empower young people to drive decision-making this will stimulate new thinking and
enable us to stay in touch with a fast-changing world.
Using digital technology
It is an inescapable fact that we live in a digital world. That is why we are investing in digital
technology nationally and locally, making our new membership system (Compass)central to
making Scouting easier, more efficient and less time consuming. We need to seize the
opportunities digital technology offers us to reach new communities, share and debate our
ideas, communicate and make volunteering easier.
Annual Salary:
Starting salary non negotiable at £26,049 per annum (including Outer London Weighting) which
represents Level 1 of Band E.
This is a one year fixed term contract.
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Salaries are paid monthly by direct transfer on or about the 20 of the month. Overtime is not
paid although time off in lieu may be authorised.
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week
Location: Home based in the South East & East Midlands
Holiday Entitlement: 25 days per year plus bank holidays. This increases after two years
service to 28 days and after five years to 32 days.*
* The Scout Association closes completely between Christmas and the New Year, so it is
compulsory that annual leave is taken at this time.
Probationary Period: This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period.
Notice Period: 1 month
Employee Benefits – an introduction
The Scout Association is keen to ensure that employees are offered a range of attractive
benefits. At the same time we also need to cater for a variety of needs and lifestyles.
Benefits apply to employees upon completion of three months in their role unless otherwise
stated.
Looking after your health and wellbeing
Simply Health medical scheme
Employees have access to the Simply Health medical scheme. Full details are available on
employment but a summary of the benefits is as follows:
Dental 100% - up to £120
Optical 100% - up to £120
Face-to-face counselling sessions – up to six sessions
Private consultation and diagnostics 100% - up to £300
Physiotherapy/Osteopathy/Chiropractice/Acupuncture/Homeopathy 75% - up to £300
There is an opportunity to add a partner and up to four children to this scheme at an additional
cost to the employee.
Sickness Absence
The Association pays sickness pay above the statutory minimum requirement.
Keeping fit and active
Employees can benefit from discounted rates on gym membership. Being a member of the
Health Club and Wellbeing Scheme gives you and your family access to the lowest corporate
membership rates at over 2,000 health clubs, gyms and leisure centres across the UK.
Food and Drink
Free lunch is provided to all employees when they are working at Gilwell Park between Monday
and Friday. Alternative arrangements are in place for staff at our Scout Activity Centres. Free
beverages are available at all sites. This benefit is available immediately upon taking up
employment.
Looking after your future
Pension
For all employees, the Association has a Group Personal Pension Plan. This plan allows
employees to contribute a minimum of 1.5% of their gross salary up to the maximum allowed
within HMRC limits. The Association will contribute twice the employee’s contribution, up to a
maximum of 10% of gross salary.
Life Assurance
All employees are covered by a scheme which pays two times the basic salary in the event of
death in service.
Getting to and from work
Interest-free season ticket loan
Employees may apply for a loan to assist with the purchase of a travel season ticket. The loan
will be paid back monthly by automatic deduction from salary.
Car parking
All sites offer free car parking to employees.
Cycle to Work scheme
This scheme is a form of salary sacrifice which enables employee’s to purchase a bicycle
through the Government’s Cycle to Work Scheme and can save you up to 50% on the retail
value (depending on the employee’s tax bracket).
Minibus Service (Gilwell Park)
A minibus service is provided which collects colleagues at 08:40 and 08:50 from Chingford
Station. There is a return minibus service to Chingford Station at 16:55 and 17:15 hours.
Looking after your nearest and dearest
Carers Leave
Up to three days paid leave a year (please see our leave policy).
Maternity Leave
The Association pays maternity leave above the statutory minimum requirement.
Paternity Leave
The Association pays paternity leave above the statutory minimum requirement.
Childcare Vouchers
This scheme is a form of salary sacrifice, enabling employees to purchase childcare vouchers.
Start and finish time
Employees can apply for some flexibility on their start and finish times of work.
Making your money go that little bit further
Scout Shops Purchases
Employees can make purchases from Scout Shops LTD with a discount of 25% on certain
items, excluding uniforms.
Restaurant discount card
This discount card is in conjunction with TasteCard and allows a range of discounts (up to 50%)
on a range of restaurants across the UK. This can be purchased for approximately £30.
Developing yourself and others
Study and volunteer leave
Special leave includes paid leave for volunteering and study leave.
Learning and Development
The Scout Association offers a range of learning and development opportunities to all staff and
is supportive of requests for professional development.
Human Resources 2015