Articles / Leadership Training Girlguiding: Developing Volunteer Leaders
Development, Training & CoachingExplore Girlguiding leadership training for volunteers. Learn about qualifications, development pathways, and skills needed to lead guiding units effectively.
Written by Laura Bouttell • Fri 9th January 2026
Leadership training within Girlguiding develops the capabilities volunteers need to lead units effectively—combining safeguarding knowledge, programme delivery skills, and leadership competencies that enable adults to create safe, engaging environments where girls and young women can develop confidence, skills, and character. This training ensures that the organisation's half-million members across the UK receive quality guiding experiences from well-prepared leaders.
Girlguiding represents one of the UK's largest leadership development programmes, though rarely recognised as such. The organisation trains tens of thousands of adult volunteers to lead units of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, and Rangers—building leadership capability that often transfers to other life contexts. Many professionals cite guiding leadership as foundational to their broader leadership development.
This guide explores Girlguiding's volunteer leadership training, helping current and prospective volunteers understand available development and pathways to effective unit leadership.
Girlguiding provides structured training for adult volunteers taking on leadership roles within the organisation.
Purpose Training ensures volunteers have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead guiding units safely and effectively. It covers both practical requirements (safeguarding, health and safety) and developmental capabilities (programme planning, girl engagement).
Scope From entry-level helper roles through to unit leadership and beyond, training pathways exist for various volunteer roles throughout the organisation.
Format Training combines online learning, face-to-face sessions, and practical experience. The blended approach accommodates volunteers' availability whilst ensuring comprehensive preparation.
Standards All unit leaders must complete specified training within defined timeframes. These standards ensure consistency of leader capability across the organisation.
| Category | Focus | Example Content |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Basic requirements | Safe Space, First Aid |
| Role-specific | Role preparation | Leadership qualification |
| Specialist | Additional capabilities | Outdoor activities, international |
| Continuing | Ongoing development | Updates, refreshers, extensions |
Entry into Girlguiding requires specific training that applies to all volunteers.
Safe Space Training All volunteers must complete Safe Space training, covering safeguarding knowledge and practices essential for working with children and young people. This includes:
First Aid Volunteers working directly with girls need appropriate first aid training. Requirements vary by role, but basic first aid awareness applies broadly.
Welcome to Guiding Introductory training orienting new volunteers to Girlguiding, its values, structure, and how guiding works.
New volunteers typically complete training in phases:
Before Starting (Level 1)
Early Weeks
First Six Months
Ongoing
| Role | Key Training Requirements |
|---|---|
| Unit helper | Safe Space, Welcome to Guiding |
| Assistant leader | Above plus Leadership qualification progress |
| Unit leader | Above plus completed Leadership qualification |
| District/Division roles | Leadership qualification plus role-specific training |
| Trainers | Leadership qualification plus trainer training |
The Leadership Qualification represents the core training for unit leaders within Girlguiding.
Purpose The Leadership Qualification ensures unit leaders have comprehensive preparation for leading guiding units—covering programme delivery, girl development, volunteer management, and organisational knowledge.
Structure The qualification comprises multiple modules covering different aspects of unit leadership. Volunteers work through modules whilst gaining practical experience in their units.
Assessment Completion involves demonstrating knowledge and capability through various methods—observations, discussions, evidence portfolios, and practical demonstrations.
Timeline New leaders typically complete the qualification within 18 months of appointment, though flexibility exists for individual circumstances.
Programme and Activities
Working with Girls
Leadership Skills
Organisational Knowledge
| Method | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Online modules | Knowledge acquisition | Policy, programme information |
| Face-to-face | Skills development | Programme planning, activities |
| Practical experience | Application | Running meetings, leading activities |
| Mentor support | Guided development | Observations, feedback, advice |
| Peer learning | Shared experience | District meetings, network events |
Unit leadership develops capabilities valuable beyond guiding itself.
Activity Planning Creating engaging activities appropriate for different ages. Balancing fun, challenge, and developmental value. Working within resource and time constraints.
Facilitation Leading activities effectively—giving clear instructions, managing groups, adapting to circumstances, maintaining engagement.
Outdoor Skills Many guiding activities involve outdoor elements. Leaders develop confidence in outdoor settings, often pursuing additional outdoor qualifications.
Creative Skills Guiding programmes include arts, crafts, and creative activities. Leaders develop and deliver these elements, building creative confidence.
Youth Engagement Understanding what motivates girls at different developmental stages. Building relationships that support growth and enjoyment.
Behaviour Management Managing group behaviour positively. Setting expectations, maintaining boundaries, responding to challenges appropriately.
Parent Communication Working effectively with parents—communication, expectations management, addressing concerns.
Volunteer Management For unit leaders, managing assistant leaders and helpers—delegation, feedback, development support.
| Skill | Application in Guiding |
|---|---|
| Planning | Term programmes, events, activities |
| Organisation | Logistics, resources, timings |
| Administration | Records, registers, reporting |
| Financial management | Unit funds, trip budgets |
| Risk assessment | Activity planning, event safety |
Beyond core leadership training, Girlguiding offers additional development opportunities.
Outdoor Activity Qualifications Various qualifications enable leaders to deliver outdoor activities safely:
International Experience Training for leading international trips and participating in international guiding activities.
Trainer Qualifications Preparation for those who wish to train other volunteers, becoming part of Girlguiding's training team.
Commissioner Roles District, Division, and County Commissioners access specific training for their leadership roles supporting units across their areas.
Specialist Roles Various specialist positions (international, PR, growth) have associated training preparing volunteers for these functions.
Residential Roles Those working at activity centres or organising residential events access additional preparation.
Skills Development Beyond guiding-specific training, opportunities exist for broader skills development relevant to volunteering and professional life.
Leadership Events Conferences, workshops, and networking events provide ongoing development and connection.
Recognition Pathways External recognition schemes acknowledge volunteer development, including Duke of Edinburgh Volunteering sections and various volunteer awards.
Multiple support mechanisms help volunteers develop effectively.
Mentor Assignment New leaders are typically assigned mentors—experienced volunteers who guide development, answer questions, and provide support during qualification completion.
Mentor Responsibilities
Unit Teams Rarely do volunteers lead alone. Unit teams provide mutual support, shared learning, and distributed responsibility.
District Networks District meetings connect leaders across units, enabling peer learning, resource sharing, and mutual encouragement.
Online Communities Girlguiding-facilitated online spaces enable connection, question-asking, and resource sharing across broader networks.
| Support Type | Provider | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Training delivery | Local training teams | Scheduled sessions |
| Qualification support | Mentors, commissioners | Regular contact |
| Resources | Girlguiding organisation | Online, shops |
| Advice | Commissioners, headquarters | As needed |
| Troubleshooting | Local leadership | Responsive |
Understanding challenges helps volunteers prepare and organisations support effectively.
Volunteer Reality Leaders are volunteers balancing guiding with work, family, and other commitments. Finding time for training alongside unit leadership creates pressure.
Support Response
New Leader Anxiety Taking responsibility for groups of children can feel daunting. Many new leaders experience anxiety about their capability.
Support Response
Bureaucratic Burden Necessary administration—DBS checks, training records, unit records—can feel overwhelming alongside activity leadership.
Support Response
Activity Expectations Creating engaging programmes week after week can feel demanding. Leaders may struggle with activity ideas or resource limitations.
Support Response
The Leadership Qualification typically takes 12-18 months to complete whilst simultaneously leading or assisting in a unit. This timeline allows for practical experience alongside learning modules. Some volunteers complete more quickly; others take longer depending on prior experience and availability. The key is demonstrating capability rather than meeting arbitrary deadlines.
Yes, multiple volunteer roles don't require full Leadership Qualification. Unit helpers support leaders without taking primary responsibility. Occasional helpers assist with specific activities. Non-unit roles (trustees, administrators, event helpers) involve different training appropriate to their functions. All roles require basic safeguarding training regardless of leadership qualification status.
Recognition of prior learning enables credit for relevant experience and qualifications. Teachers, youth workers, and those with related professional backgrounds may have elements recognised. Discuss your background with your mentor or commissioner to understand what might be recognised. Some elements remain mandatory regardless of prior experience (Safe Space training, for instance).
Skills developed through Girlguiding leadership are widely valued by employers, though there isn't formal external accreditation for most training. Many leaders reference their guiding experience in job applications and professional contexts. Some elements (First Aid, for instance) provide externally recognised qualifications. The practical leadership experience often proves more valuable than formal recognition.
Trainers complete the Leadership Qualification plus additional trainer training. This prepares volunteers to deliver training to other adults rather than leading girl units. Trainer roles suit those who enjoy adult learning facilitation. Express interest to your commissioner; access depends on local training team needs and your demonstrated capability.
Girlguiding qualifications are specific to the organisation, though underlying skills transfer readily. Some outdoor qualifications have broader recognition. If moving to other youth organisations (Scouts, for instance), expect to complete their training though experience will be valued. The capability developed—leading young people, managing activities, working with volunteers—applies regardless of organisational context.
Leadership training within Girlguiding builds capability for leading one of the UK's largest youth organisations—developing volunteers who create positive experiences for hundreds of thousands of girls and young women. The training ensures leaders are prepared for their responsibilities whilst developing skills that extend far beyond guiding itself. For volunteers seeking meaningful contribution and genuine leadership development, Girlguiding offers structured pathways that transform interested adults into capable leaders.