Financial ResourcesRequired action Action by Time Scale

Growth & DevelopmentRequired action Action by Time Scale

Managing SQS in your GroupSQS is managed in the Group by the Group Leader. In order for this to happen the following points will help as a guide.

Know and understand the SQS Process and Procedure Know the detail of what is required of each Section in the SQS Criteria and ensure that your Section Scouters are aware of the job they have to do to fulfil this criteria.

Devise and produce a Group Development Plan. This Plan should be reviewed and evaluated on a regular basis.

Use and promote teamwork across all aspects of the Group’s work for young people.

Utilise and involve all adults in the Group effectively.

Ensure that all Section Leaders are aware of the ‘Promise of SQS’ and have planned and organised the programme in their Section so that it reflects this Promise.

Organise methods and mechanisms that will enable your Leaders to be supported in the delivery of the programme to young people.

Plan a social element for the Group

Reward and recognise the value of the adults that work in your Group.

Managing SQS in your CountyThe County Commissioner role in the SQS process is one of support of the Groups in his/her County. This support is provided via the structures that exist within the County or Provincial Level of the Association.The County Commissioner is also charged with the responsibility to undertake the assessment of the Groups within their County.

In addition to the general points outlined above for Group Leaders, the County Commissioner should also keep in mind the following points:-

The County should also devise and manage a County Development Plan which should reflect the needs of Groups within the County, as identified through their own Group Development Plans.

Programme Co-ordinators should carry out on-going consultation with Section Scouters in the County and be aware of the needs of these adults.

Ensure that the Training Co-ordinator provides assistance, help and support to Section Scouters and others in the County.

Ensure that Scout County Management Committee meetings take place on a regular basis and are structured in such a way that problems within Groups are identified quickly and support and assistance is readily available to react.

Devising a Development Planfor your Group or County

Group Development Plan OutlineOutlined in this leaflet is a simple method for devising a Development Plan for your Group. In order for a comprehensive development plan to be devised everyone involved in the running of your Group needs to have a say in the format of the plan. This gathering should include the Patrol Leaders Council or Watch Leader Council, The Venture Scout Executive, and the Young Leaders in your Group.

The first things that need to be identified are the strengths and weaknesses of your Group in the context of the delivery of Scouting to the young people of your Sections. Try to be honest in your comments and avoid personal remarks, blaming people for their actions or inactions will solve nothing. Most problems that exist within Groups stem from a lack of training. If Leaders need to be trained, in whatever issue, then state it in your weakness column. If you run a good range of activities in your Sections then list that as a strength.

A plan should be devised using the following steps

A general meeting is called of all groupings and representitives in the Group.

At the meeting an assessment of the current situation prevailing in the Group is made. An outside facilitator may be used to help the Group in this task.

The meeting should then try to develop an ‘ideal picture’ of what they would like the Group to be like, taking on board the SQS criteria.

The two ‘situations’ are examined and a framework is developed by which the Group can move from one ‘situation’ to the other. (see suggested areas of consideration)

Using the general framework, small actions or achieveable objectives are listed that will enable a smooth transition of the plan over a set period of time.

These objectives or actions now form the Group Development Plan. Each objective should be assigned to an individual or sub group to achive within a set time period.

The plan is now a living enity. It will need to be assesed at various points to check progress and change and amend as required.

Your Provincial Support Officer can help you to develop such a plan.

In simple terms, a Group Development Plan is a tool which helps you move from Point A to Point B in a planned productive manner.

Strengths Weaknesses

From the information compiled in the various columns, plus the detailed discussion which will have ensued, select achievable and simple objectives that can form the basis of your Plan. These will normally fall within the following areas of consideration, although their maybe other areas that your Group identifes and these will have its own particular objectives.

Youth & ProgrammeRequired action Action by Time Scale

Recruiting & Training AdultsRequired action Action by Time Scale

ManagementRequired action Action by Time Scale