The Award Group: Basics

Award Groups are all individual in their set up however all have a common link in that they all need a Group Leader. Group Leaders are usually volunteers who believe in the Award Programme and the benefits that it can offer to young people. They often given up large amounts of their free time in order to support the programme and are usually supported by other volunteers, parents and young leaders in delivering the Award e.g. expedition training.

A sample role/ job description for an Award Group Leader is set out below. This links with the job description for the Award Officer set out in the Section “Operating Authorities”. The Award Officer is usually responsible for appointing, supporting and developing Award Leaders and therefore needs a clear understanding of their role.

Key Objectives of an Award Group Leader

1. To support the Award's overall mission and commitment to participants

2. To uphold the aims, objectives and standards of the Award Programme

3. To build a balanced team of Award volunteers to cover different aspects of the programme and to ensure continuity, a pool of expertise and opportunities for the sharing of responsibilities

4. To lead the Award Group and to co-ordinate the work of Award Volunteers and activities of

5. To promote and provide opportunities for young people to receive the personal benefits he Award Programme

6. To ensure that the Award Group works to the policies and procedures of the Operating Authority

Principal Responsibilities of an Award Group Leader

1. To develop and maintain a personal knowledge of the Award Programme and its current conditions and requirements

2. To liaise with the Award Officer of the appropriate Operating Authority

3. To order and issue Enrolment forms, Record Book Packs from the Operating Authority

4. To recruit, brief and arrange the training of Award Volunteers in accordance with the Operating Authority procedure ensuring they are properly qualified and/ or experienced for their role

5. To comply with the administrative, operational and insurance procedures of the Operating Authority and the Award

6. To provide choice by planning and co-ordinating a range of activities in discussion with participants

7. To launch and promote the Award and enrol young people into the Award Programme, including those who come to the Award via Access Organisations

8. To obtain parental support and consent where appropriate

9. To obtain and utilise promotional and operational literature

10. To dovetail Award activities into other Award programmes

11. To provide support to any Local Award Committee

12. To manage and review financial arrangements

13. To record participants' progress through the Award

14. To help young people to continue the programme on relocation

15. To submit Record Books to the Operating Authority for authorisation

16. To arrange the presentation of badges and certificates in consultation with the Operating Authority

17. To review the quality of experience of participants

18. To have an understood means of communication with the Operating Authority in place covering visits, provision of advice and handling of complaints and concerns.

Setting up a new Award Group

The following plan outlines the main tasks involved in setting up an Award Group, although these may vary according to local circumstances.

1. Make contact with the local Operating Authority and Award Officer who can provide:

1. Information on the Operating Authority's policies, procedures and channels of communication

2. Information on the opportunities available for young people in the local area

3. Information on available resources including equipment, particularly for the Expeditions Section

4. Supplies of Award publications

5. A system for keeping records and administrative support (such as DEAMS for Groups)

6. Contacts with other Award Groups and Award Leaders

7. Access to training opportunities

8. Approval systems for instructors and supervisors.

2. Recruit and develop assistants and helpers who have:

1. A genuine interest in the development of young people

2. The ability to communicate

3. A particular expertise they wish to share

4. An empathy with young people

5. An appreciation of their responsibilities to young people and the Operating Authority.

3. Identify a venue which is accessible to young people which may be:

1. A school or youth centre

2. A business or commercial setting

3. An independent 'Open' Award Centre.

4. Develop contacts with local organisations, which may:

1. Offer activities

2. Be a source of potential participants

3. Offer helpers and volunteers

4. Provide equipment or materials

5. Sponsor events.

5. Promote the Award to young people:

1. Using the Award's promotional materials

2. Giving talks or presentations

3. Involving Award holders as ambassadors

4. Running an open or taster event.

6. Enrol young people who should:

1. Understand the challenge of the Award

2. Decide which level of Award to undertake

3. Complete an enrolment form

4. Obtain a Record Book Pack (as appropriate)

5. Decide on a personal programme (ideas available from the Programmes File and/or the Award web site)

7. Plan and organise activities by:

1. Involving young people

2. Identifying people with appropriate skills

3. Delegating tasks and working as a team

4. Satisfying individual needs and aspirations

5. Using the resources of the community.

8. Maintain accurate records by:

1. Keeping copies of enrolment forms and any activity sheets

2. Checking details are completed and entered in the Record Book

3. Adhering to the financial and administrative procedures of the Operating Authority

4. Monitoring and recording progress regularly

5. Forwarding Record Books to the Operating Authority for approval of Awards.

9. Establish support networks including:

1. Parents and guardians of participants

2. Potential fundraisers and local business contacts

3. Influential members of the local community

4. Other Award Groups

5. Local Award committees.

10. Publicise the Award Group by:

1. Involving participants in organised events and displays

2. Publicising the achievements of young people using the local press, radio or internet.