Leader development programme

The leader development programme (LDP) is full of helpful courses for anyone that volunteers in a unit. To become a leader, you must complete the LDP in full.

Below is information on how the LDP process works within Gloucestershire. This process is new so please bear with us as we settle into the new ways of working.

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For volunteers wishing to become leaders

Getting started

In order to get started with the LDP, you will need to do the following:

Talk to your commissioner - She plays a key supporting role in your LDP journey and it's important that she is aware you are carrying out this training so that she can help you along the way. Your commissioner will also need to update your role on GO to leader in training once you complete the next step.
Access the LDP on the learning platform - You'll need to complete one of the following 2 pathway options:

Option 1 - This is aimed at volunteers who are new to guiding. You will be guided through the 'Getting started with Girlguiding' and 'Growing in Girlguiding' sections which are designed to introduce you to volunteering within Girlguiding and help develop your knowledge and understanding of our organisation.
Option 2 - This is aimed at those who have been volunteering a while and already have an understanding of Girlguiding. You will be able to work on the 'Check your Girlguiding knowledge' section.

Whichever option you take, you will also need to complete the 'Becoming a Leader' section, which will only be unlocked once you have carried out option 1 or 2, and have a leader in training role on GO.
Talk to your unit team - The other volunteers within your unit team will also play a vital role in supporting you through the LDP by offering you the opportunities to lead, grow and develop. Make sure they know about the path you are on so they can support you too.

Your mentor

Our LiT coordinators will assign you a mentor. This will be someone who is not your commissioner or part of your unit team. They will also play a key part in supporting you through your LDP journey. The LiT coordinators will email you and copy in your new mentor and your commissioner. However GDPR says that we cannot pass on your email address to your mentor so you will need to get in touch with them to kick off your supporting relationship.

Your mentor will arrange to either meet with you in person or virtually to get to know you and start you off on your journey. They will ask you to read, and both of you will sign, the leader in training/mentor agreement. This document lays out relationship you are building so you both know what's expected of you.

Working through the programme

The LDP is split into three sections:

Building Foundations - This includes managing safety and risk, following our policies and keeping information safe.
Engaging guiding - This includes planning for good guiding, celebrating every member and involving girls in decisions and planning.
You and your team - This includes developing as a team, managing the unit's money and organising your unit.

You can work on elements across all three modules at the same time. Your mentor will help you understand what you need to do to complete each element and will support you in creating and working towards an action plan. You may choose to work on one section at a time, but watch out for those opportunities that arise that might help you work on another part too. This is where your unit team can help support you by suggesting elements that the work you are carrying out may cover.

As part of the their role, your mentor will visit you in your unit on several occasions and observe you. Each time they will chat to you about how the activities went, and support you in making improvements for the future. It's important that we are always learning and adapting based on past experiences.

When you have completed all the parts of a section, you and your mentor will have a discussion and complete a 'check-in' document together. You will need to upload this to the learning platform. Our LiT coordinators will then review your document, make sure everything is in order and mark that element as complete.

Completing the LDP

When you have completed all three sections above, there will be one final 'check-in' to complete with your mentor. This will then complete your LDP journey.

At this stage you will be qualified to be a unit helper on GO. If you wish to be a leader you will also need to complete a safe space level 3 training. It is also strongly recommended that you also complete a first aid course.

For commissioners

Key aspects for the commissioner

You will receive a notification when someone starts their LDP journey. You will need to update their role on GO to leader in training before they can progress.
Young leaders can also start this training programme but please do not update their role on GO. They remain young leaders until they turn 18. Please email the LiT coordinators to let them know when a young leader starts the LDP.
You are a key supporter for leaders in training and young leaders completing the LDP. Please check in with them regularly and offer them any help or advise they may need, or signpost them to someone who can help.
If a leader in training or young leader has not heard from their mentor, please let the LiT coordinators know.

There is a document entitled LDP guidance for commissioners which can be found in the FAQs section of the LDP.

Mentor recruitment

The mentor role sits at a county level and the LiT coordinators will assign a mentor to each volunteer embarking on the LDP. However we need your help to identify people who would make great mentors. If you think someone is suited to the mentor role, please email the LiT coordinators.

For mentors

Key aspects for the mentor

You will be assigned new mentees by the LiT coordinators. This will be based on your current number of mentees and the number you have indicated you can support. It will also be based on the geographical area you have agreed to work within.
Your mentee will be asked to make contact with you. When this happens, please respond within 2 weeks and arrange an initial meeting with them. This can be in person or virtual.
Please use the leader in training/mentor agreement when you first meet your mentee.

There is a mentors area on the learning platform and a webinar for mentors, which we would encourage all existing mentors to undertake. Access these areas/resources via the FAQ section of the LDP.

For volunteers working on the leadership qualification

The leadership qualification (LQ) has now finished. If you would still like to work towards becoming a leader then you will need to start the LDP as detailed above.

Email our LiT coordinator