Branching Out

Branching Out is optional learning you can access to further develop your skills and knowledge having completed Growing Roots should you wish. This can be with the aim of

• Stretching yourself and developing new skills or,
• Completing some required learning in order to be given an accreditation or permit,
• Working towards completing a Wood Badge.

Currently, the materials to support Branching Out are limited to a number of Modules that have migrated from the previous training scheme. This is because the content is still valid though, in a few cases, material is being updated. The migrating modules are:

• Skills of leadership (Module 8)
• Working with adults (Module 9)
• Growing the section (Module 13)
• Delivering Residential Experiences (Module 16)
• Practical Skills (Module 18)
• International (Module 19)
• Assessing Learning (Module 25)
• Instructing Practical Skills (Module 27)
• Presenting (Module 29)
• Skills for Residential Experience (Module 38)
• Mentoring and Coaching (Module 39)

The Modules picked out in blue text remain required to complete a Section Wood Badge. Those in green text are supplemental though some may be required as pre-learning for an accreditation.

You can select these items from the “Explore the Learning” option on the top line in “My Learning”. 

Crediting completed Learning

Unlike the learning in Growing Roots, which is automatically assessed as part of the e-learning, those Skills listed above in blue text require assessment by a member who has a Learning Assessor Accreditation. These are members who have been given this accreditation by the District Volunteering Development Team Lead or District Lead Volunteer to support learners in the District. When you have completed the required learning, you need to indicate that you are ready for this to be assessed (called crediting). If you are unsure about this, look at the following information in the Digital Tools Guide by clicking HERE

This can be undertaken in a variety of ways; face to face meeting, virtual call, telephone, e-mail exchange or by completing an online crediting learning form. These are similar to previous on line validations and are available for each of the six areas Skills of leadership (Module 8), Working with adults (Module 9), Growing the section (Module 13), Delivering Residential Experiences (Module 16), Practical Skills (Module 18) and International (Module 19).

To access this option, click below

Work is scheduled for 2025 to start to build out new learning material that will be included under Branching Out. This will, in due course, replace those topics listed above. This is currently planned for 2026 and will be as a result of a significant amount of engagement, consultation with members and testing. There will be a mix of e-learning, virtual learning and in-person courses covering a wide range of topics.

To learn more about Branching Out (Scouts.org.uk), click below.