Learning and Development
“Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching”
Training Platform
Launched in 2022 the new training platform lets you track your learning and see what training is available. Once you’ve set up your account, you’ll be able to find the Girlguiding e-learning and all the webinars organised by HQ. The course catalogue includes everything from helping others learn, running your unit, outdoors and adventure courses, virtual guiding and staying safe.
The Girlguiding website also has lots of information about a variety of different training programmes. Where once you achieve the qualification you can take your young members out on unique experiences – canoeing and kayaking training, the climbing scheme, walking scheme, rowing training and narrowboating scheme.
A Safe Space Training
Safety is at the heart of everything we do. Because we know that when girls feel safe, they feel brave enough to do things they never thought they could. There are four levels of training. All volunteers need to undertake A Safe Space training related to their role. For example, if your role requires up to level 3 then you will need to complete levels 1, 2 and 3. Everyone needs to have the correct level of A Safe Space training for their role. It may sound daunting but you may have your membership withdrawn if you do not complete the levels you need. However as a County we will be putting on Safe Space courses, please check the County diary of events here to keep up to date.
First Aid Training
Girlguiding encourages all volunteers to complete first aid training to ensure that Girlguiding members are kept as safe as possible when they are in our care. There must always be at least one adult member at every unit meeting who is a qualified first aider.
We provide First Aid training throughout the year, please check our County calendar for dates and to sign up.
If you have an external First Aid qualification, through work or otherwise, you check to see if it is accepted here.
County Training Day
Keep an eye on this page and on our County Eventbrite to keep up to date with whats happening in County.
Leadership Qualification
To become a leader, you’ll need to do the Girlguiding Becoming a Leader training, which you can find on our learning platform here. It’s part of our new Leader Development Programme which was launched in September 2022. If you’re new to Girlguiding, you’ll need to register first as a volunteer as the first step.
We are holding County training sessions for Commissioners and Mentors around the Leader Development Programme – information, best practice and moving forward. Keep an eye on our County Calendar for future dates.
Girlguiding are currently in a transition year before the Leadership Qualification (LQ) is fully phased out in September 2023 so anyone who started the LQ before September 2022 will have 12 months to complete it. More information on finishing the LQ can be found here.
The Becoming a Leader training is open to our volunteers aged 18+. You can start the training and become a ‘leader in training’ from the age of 16 or even undertake the Young Leader Qualification.
You will be assigned a mentor, this a qualified leader who will guide you through the syllabus and support you and be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Moving Section
If you have already completed the LQ and would like to lead a different section, you can work through a checklist to re-do Module 1 with your mentor or local commissioner.
Going Away With Scheme
The Going Away With Scheme is open to those who have completed the Becoming a Leader training and currently hold an active role as a leader, commissioner or adviser.
This scheme is designed to be as flexible as possible, depending on what kind of trip you’re planning with your young members. For example, if you would like to go to an accredited activity centre where programme, catering and facilities are already provided, you’ll only need the basic Going Away With licence. You’ll need to complete additional modules if you plan to take on more of the organisation of your next trip – for example, Module 5 on catering if you plan to provide food.
If completing the Going Away with Scheme you will also need to contact your County Residential Adviser to arrange an assessment during the event, head to our Residential Trips page to read more about steps you need to take when planning a trip with your young members.