The road to success SQS is a system for Quality Scouting. This system works by instigating change within your Group, Section or County. This transition from where you are now and where you want to go is managed by a Group Development Plan. Improvement and the quest for Quality Scouting is a constant aim for adults within Scouting even if your Group or Section is already operating at the basic level. The benefits of any development plan will be the greater experience of Scouting by young people in your Group. Devising a plan A development plan is devised by first listing the strengths, challenges, threats and opportunities which exist within your Group. Every adult and representatives of youth membership should be involved in this process and on completion of the plan each should have a role to play in fulfilling its objectives. Once these lists are compiled it will be possible to identify what actions need to be taken in order for your Group to meet or exceed the basic standard. The actions are prioritised and a time line established for completion. You will also need to identify key dates along the timeline of your plan to evaluate what is happening and if necessary make adjustments or add new actions. Your plan should be a living, working, plan rather than a static document and it should clearly show what role everybody has to play in the fulfilment of the plan.. This document now forms the development plan for the Group. Support Who can help Programme Development Officer Adult Resources Development Officer Provincial Support Officer Provincial Commissioner Provincial Programme Co-ordinator Provincial Training Co-ordinator County Commissioner County Programme Co-ordinator County Training Co-ordinator Group Leader Group Scouters Scouters within the County Support Material National Office Larch Hill Provincial Support Officer Scout Shop Training Courses Association website Association CD-ROM SQS Documentation SQS Form Creating a Development Plan Fulfilling the Promise - SQS and your Section Managing SQS in your Group Managing SQS in your County Scouting’s Top Ten Strengths Challenges Goals We have enough leaders We have a den We have good parent support Leaders need training Badgework is poor Need more outdoor activities Need to recruit more young people We need a Venturer Section Fundraising could be better Seek training for Leaders Organise skills and merit badge instructors Organise a recruitment campaign Each section to have an outdoor activity each month Find a suitable Venturer Leader and set up section SQS System for Quality Scouting Most development plans need the assistance and support of others outside of your Group. A Section Leader will seek the support and help of other leaders within the Group and at County level from Programme and Training co- ordinators. The Group can seek support from whatever quarter it feels fit to realise their Development Plan. Immediate support will be available through the County and Provincial Support mechanisms. Direct support will also be available via a fulltime professional support officer - the Provincial Support Officer (PSO). In all cases the support mechanisms are there to help, advise and work with your Leaders to deliver Quality Scouting to the young people of your Group. They will offer advice, provide training and support materials and enable your Group to fulfil the Guarantee of Scouting in your community. Assessment Each year an assessment is made of your Group against the Basic Standard (see SQS Form). If your Group reach the basic standard they are awarded a Bronze SQS pennant. If they exceed the basic standard they are awarded a Silver or Gold SQS pennant depending on the quality of Scouting which is delivered in their Group. The information from these assessments is used to develop support actions at County, Provincial and National Level so that all Groups can in the first place reach the basic standard and later to exceed the basic and move to a higher level of Scouting delivery to young people. It is important to realise that SQS is not a test or a competition. Its aim to enable all Groups to achieve the basic standard and in doing so to support directly those Groups who need help in achieving the basic standard.