OUR STRATEGIC PLAN
MORE, BETTER, FURTHER
Our Strategic Plan Our Scouts Scotland Strategic Plan is designed to do what we do better, and make it available to more young people. Crucially, we want to extend our reach further and deeper in to our communities. Scottish Scout membership has grown by almost 10,000 new members since our centenary in 2007. Today we have 36,759 youth members following eight years of growth. By 2018 we want to bring Scouting to at least 41,000 young people and attract enough volunteers to help us do this. We want to prove that Scouting is more relevant today than ever and has the ability to transform lives. We want every young person in Scotland to have the opportunity to experience Scouting. We are open to all regardless of faith, gender, sexual orientation, race or social background. In fact Scouting is valued most and has its biggest impact in the most deprived parts of the country.* It is an ambitious programme, but there are things we can do at every level of the organisation to help meet the objectives. Growing the Movement is an obvious one, but if we get it right we want to ensure we are also growing in areas that have so far been hard to reach. We also want to ensure Scouting reflects the communities we operate in, to do that we need to be as diverse as the population. We are encouraging and supporting our members to build programmes that see us embedded in our communities, and playing an active role in helping others.
Youth involvement is fundamental to our strategy. It is what we are all about. At all levels of the organisation we all need to focus on getting more young people actively involved in our decision making. Our strategy supports and builds on the UK Scouting for All Strategy to 2018. There is much we can do at a Scottish level, but it requires the action of members at Section, Group, District and Region levels if we are to deliver our objectives. Throughout this document we have provided ideas about what you can do, whatever part of the organisation you contribute to. We’d really like to hear what you are doing locally to bring this strategy to life. There is plenty of work to do, but we are tackling our challenges head on. Join us on this journey, help us achieve our vision.
Moray Macdonald Chair, Scottish Board
Graham Haddock Chief Commissioner of Scotland
Jim Duffy Chief Executive
* Our biggest potential support is from C2 and D/E Social Grades (nfpSynergy Brand Attributes Report May 2013)
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Our Mission
Support the development and growth of Scouting in Scotland and contribute towards securing the UK-wide 2018 Vision for Scouting.
Our Vision Scouting in 2018 will: • Make a positive impact on our communities • Prepare young people to be active citizens • Embrace and contribute to social change Scouting in 2018 will be: • Shaped by young people in partnership with adults • Enjoyed by more young people and more adult volunteers • As diverse as the communities in which we live Members of Scouting in 2018 will feel: • Empowered, Valued, Proud
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Our Values As Scouts we are guided by these values:
Integrity
We say what we mean and when we make a Promise, we keep it.
Respect
We listen to others, explore our differences and work to find common ground.
Care
Our Brand
Belief
We have a positive impact on individuals, volunteers and local communities by offering everyday adventure, fun and friendship.
Scouts are friends to all and think of others before themselves.
We believe passionately in improving the lives and life chances of young people and helping them explore and develop their beliefs and attitudes.
Co-operation
Scouting is about teamwork. We believe that when we work together we achieve more than we can on our own.
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Our Approach 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 shared across the UK: 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.
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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.
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.
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.
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OUR STRAT OBJEC 06
EGIC TIVES 07
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Sustainable growth and development
Outcomes
A Scouting is enjoyed by more young people and adult volunteers B Our membership is as diverse as the communities in which we live C Identification of need and targeting of support is improved
Key indicators
• Annual census shows an overall growth in membership of at least 4% per year • Annual census shows Group Scout Leader membership growing by at least 5% per year • 90% of groups to have a Group Scout Leader by end 2016 • Annual census shows an overall growth in female membership matching or exceeding growth in total membership • Annual census shows a trend towards a membership more representative of Scotland’s ethnic mix, as indicated by 2011 population census • 2016 census shows a growth in youth membership in Districts containing areas in the 15% most deprived in Scotland according to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2012
How will we achieve this?
• We will facilitate development planning at national and regional levels in Scouting so that support and best practice can be modelled for Districts and Groups • We will enable Regions to identify and support Districts and Groups in need • We will ensure skills and capacity to identify and develop opportunities for Scouting activities in areas of social exclusion, socioeconomic deprivation and in rural communities • We will support the development of Scouting with minority groups • We will ensure practical and financial resources are available to support local development
IDEAS FOR LOCAL ACTION Consider setting up satellite Sections serviced from existing Groups Encourage young people to share their experiences with friends Develop relationships with local community organisations to introduce Scouting to areas currently not represented Apply to the Scottish Development Grants Committee for funds to support local development projects and Groups
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Volunteer and staff development, training and support
Outcomes
A Our adult volunteers are better trained and resourced to meet the requirements of manager, leader and support roles B Our employees are valued and up-skilled
Key indicators
• By 2016 more than 50% of adults in a full appointment for three years or more have a Wood Badge appropriate to that role • Annual training survey shows year on year improvement in indicators of satisfaction with skills, training, available resources and support to be able to execute their role • Annual staff satisfaction survey shows year on year improvement
How will we achieve this?
• We will improve the standard and quality of training and support for Adult Volunteers in Scotland • We will promote the value and importance of Adult Training • We will provide appropriate levels of support and challenge for all those involved in the provision of Adult Training, at Region and District levels • We will support SHQ staff development
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IDEAS FOR LOCAL ACTION Promote and encourage all leaders to participate in adult training Recruit more training advisers Encourage leaders to complete their training validations Encourage all leaders to undertake the mandatory on-going learning training modules (safety, safeguarding, First Response) to support local development
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Working in partnership with our wider community
Outcomes
A Scouting is engaged in partnerships with external bodies in support of development and growth objectives B Youth members are empowered as active and responsible citizens C Scouting makes a positive contribution to external policy development and social change D Scouting is widely recognised as a key partner for delivery of the Curriculum for Excellence
Key indicators
• Evidence at Scottish Headquarters of at least one new partnership with external organisations sharing our development and growth objectives • Evidence of increased engagement in Scout Community Week • 500 community impact projects will be delivered each year by 2016 • Evidence of continuing and increasing engagement with local and national government and other similar bodies • By 2016 all Scottish Regions will have at least one District with an established Curriculum for Excellence partnership
How will we achieve this?
• We will secure and maintain external partnerships delivering practical support for development and growth • We will promote and support member engagement with their local communities, facilitating active citizenship and raising the profile of Scouting locally • We will develop and strengthen links between Scouting and the formal education sector at local and national levels • We will develop profile with government and civic Scotland ensuring Scouting is consulted and engaged in appropriate areas of policy development and implementation
IDEAS FOR LOCAL ACTION Encourage all Sections / Groups to undertake a community impact project each year Promote Scout Community Week to youth members Identify and engage with other local community organisations Build links with your local school(s) and discuss how Scouting can help deliver Curriculum for Excellence Invite local Councillors, MSPs, MPs to meet young people engaged in Group / District activities
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Quality programme delivery and support
Outcomes
A Our youth programme provides young people with relevant opportunities for personal development and challenge B Programme achievement is encouraged, recorded and recognised C Equality of opportunity and quality of delivery is improved
Key indicators
• Evidence from an annual sampling exercise of the provision of relevant opportunities for personal development and challenge • The recording rate for collection of data on top awards improved year on year to 100% by 2016 • The number of top awards awarded in all Sections increases to 20% by 2016 • Evidence by 2016 of having developed suitable tools to assess programme quality and equality of opportunity
How will we achieve this?
• We will identify and address blockages in delivery of programme elements and opportunities, including achievement of ‘top awards’ • We will facilitate retention within and between Sections • We will improve the nature and quality of support provided to Section Leaders
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IDEAS FOR LOCAL ACTION Recognise youth achievement with a Group / District awards presentation Ensure that at least 50% of your programme activities take young people outdoors Encourage all leaders to familiarise themselves with revised programme materials – available in early 2015 Ensure all youth members are aware of wider programme opportunities available Encourage all members to work towards their top awards Consider using the Scottish National Activity Centres as a key programme resource
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Supporting and developing our young people
Outcomes
A Scouting is shaped by young people through their involvement in management, leadership and decision-making B The profile of Scouting is of a body shaped by young people
Key indicators
• All search groups for District, Region and SHQ appointments will include two young people 14-25 years • An increase in the proportion of leaders under 30 years of age in GSL, DESC, DSNL and DC roles by 10% per annum • Reporting, commenting and promotion of Scouting focusses on young people taking part in Scouting – 80% of all coverage by 2016
IDEAS FOR LOCAL ACTION Involve at least two young people in all search groups, interview panels, and appointment advisory committees Ensure young people participating in Scouting is the focus of any media activity Ensure all leaders in all Sections are familiar with the benefits of the Young Leaders’ Scheme Encourage younger leaders to take responsibility for organising and running key Group and District activities
How will we achieve this?
• We will ensure youth involvement is implemented fully in the new Scottish governance structures • We will promote the development of leadership skills in youth members through a Young People in the Lead programme • We will grow the number of Explorer Scouts participating in the Young Leader Scheme • We will increase the proportion of adults aged under 30 in manager and leader roles
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Strengthening our finances
Outcomes
A The SHQ income base is broadened to reduce dependence on membership subscription income B Capital and revenue funding is sufficient to meet core operation, maintenance and development needs
Key indicators
• A fundraising strategy is in place which is delivering for us a greater proportion of our income • By 2016 the proportion of our income derived from membership subscriptions is reduced by 10% • A sustainable planned property maintenance programme is in place and identified capital projects agreed in 2013 are completed by 2016
How will we achieve this?
• We will develop and implement a robust fundraising strategy • We will maintain and enhance funding available to support local development • We will develop and implement a National Activity Centres strategy delivering defined programme and financial objectives • We will secure sufficient resources to support a planned maintenance strategy and meet capital investment needs
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IDEAS FOR LOCAL ACTION Tell us what you’d like to see on offer at our National Activity Centres Speak to the Scottish Development Grants Committee about how they can support projects
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Safeguarding and safety
Outcomes
A A culture of safety is integral to programmes and practice at all operational levels B All members enjoy Scouting safe from harm
IDEAS FOR LOCAL ACTION
Key indicators
Make sure all relevant adults are members of the PVG Scheme
• By 2016 100% of adult leaders complete mandatory safety training at appointment review • PVG retrospective checking is complete by 2016 • By 2016 100% of adult leaders complete mandatory safeguarding training at appointment review
Make sure all leaders understand the importance of risk assessment
Ensure all adult leaders complete mandatory training at appointment review
How will we achieve this?
• We will achieve full compliance with adult vetting requirements • We will identify and address shortcomings in safety practice • We will ensure understanding of, and compliance with, relevant safety regulations • We will develop systems and practice to identify, monitor and ameliorate risk • We will ensure effective reporting, monitoring and review of practice in dealing with safeguarding incidents, complaints and disputes
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LET’S TALK
Scouting has achieved so much, but there is more still to do. We want to hear your ideas, stories and successes that show how Scouting transforms lives. Scouting happens locally and that’s where our Vision will come to life. Scouts Scotland Fordell Firs Hillend Dunfermline Fife, KY11 7HQ T 01383 419 073 E shq@scouts.scot www.scouts.scot twitter.com/scoutsscotland fb.com/scoutsscotland Scouts Scotland is a registered Scottish Charity No. SC017511
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