Assistant Guide Program

In the development of the NAAF (National Adventurous Activity Framework), Scouts Australia has developed a framework for members to be Assistant Guides (Assistant Leaders) to play the role in delivering our activity program. This was taken from the AAAS Good Practice Guide, where an Assistant leader: is a currently competent person within the role, who takes some responsibility for participants and is able to lead or supervise delegated elements or tasks of an adventure activity. An assistant leader may take responsibility for some part of an activity. An assistant leader must have the current competencies to support the leader in conducting the activity with participants. An assistant leader may have responsibility for a group of participants, within their competencies, under direct or indirect supervision of the leader.  

In Scouting, the NAAF says that our qualified Activity Leader is and Appointed Guide and the Assistant Guide takes the responsibilities of the assistant Leader. Both should undertake profession development to assist in the improvement of their competencies. An assistant leader should maintain their competencies through regular participation in activities. Assistant Guides are required to hold VET unit of competencies and these can be obtained through SAIT or other RTO’s from the age of 14 years.

Under 18s who are assistant guides, can get good experience on the pathway to a Guide Appointment while working with Guides on activities and attain their higher stages in the OAS. Over 18s who are assistant guides, can get very good mentoring and experience as they develop working towards a Guide Appointment while working on activities with Guides