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:
To implement a robust vetting advisory support service to the Association and their
volunteers.
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:
Vetting Team Leader
Directorate / Department:
Vetting
Scouting Operations / Safeguarding &
Base Location:
Gilwell Park, London
Salary Band:
To be job evaluated
Line Management Responsibility:
N/A
Budgetary responsibility:
N/A
External Contacts:
External bodies and agencies
Internal contacts:
Safeguarding and Vetting team members,
Chief Commissioners, Volunteers,
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.
To implement a robust vetting advisory support service to the Association and their
volunteers. The post holder will need to be self-confident and resilient to deal with
challenging and emotional situations and have an understanding of statutory agencies
i.e. police, disclosure authorities in relation to vulnerable groups, children and
vulnerable adults.
As part of Scouting Operations, the main function of the Safeguarding / Vetting
Department is to ensure the youth members of Scouting are safeguarded consistent
with the Association’s child protection policy, best practice and in line with current
legislation.
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Provide support and guidance to Association and their volunteers regarding criminal
convictions and the rehabilitation of offenders act.
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Establish and maintain vetting compliance monitoring arrangements across the UK,
supporting Commissioners in the suspension / exclusion of adults and ensuring the
suitability of adult members that work with youth members.
Establish and maintain a vetting casework database and records system ensuring
that cases can be tracked, and are processed in a timely manner
Responsibility for countersigning Disclosure & Barring/Protection of Vulnerable
Groups and Access Northern Ireland disclosure applications on behalf of The Scout
Association and ensuring that they meet the criteria set out by each disclosure
authority
Responsibility for closing vetting cases and the archiving of Safeguarding and
Vetting paperwork
Responding positively and effectively to enquires received from statutory agencies,
disclosure authorities and members of the movement
(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.
Yellow card
The post holder agrees to comply with the safeguarding yellow card at all times.
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Essential Skills and Abilities
Excellent prioritisation skills
Understanding of rehabilitation of offenders act and other appropriate legislation
Excellent administration skills
Able to prioritise a challenging workload to meet deadlines
Able to communicate effectively and professionally with people at all levels within and
outside the organisation
Pragmatic problem solver
Team Player
Accurate record keeping and logging of information
Discrete and confidential
Self-confidence and resilience and able to deal with challenging and emotional
situations
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Highly competent with MS office (excel spread sheets, databases, word)
Able to deliver to a high standard and under pressure
Able to work with minimum supervision and on own imitative
Knowledge and Understanding
 Educated to A level standard or equivalent
 Understanding and interest in the work of the Association
Essential skills and experience
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Proven competence in the above areas.
TSA competencies (as set out in the competency framework)
Values and Personal Qualities (including Our Approach)
 Good communicator
 Organised and confidential especially when dealing with sensitive information
 Resilient to deal with challenging and emotional situations
 Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in an effective and professional
manner.
TSA competencies (as set out in the competency framework)
Competency Framework: Level 4
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
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 £22,993 per annum (including Outer London Weighting) which
represents Level 1 of Band D.
th
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: Gilwell Park, Chingford, London
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