Officers

A BB Officer has been appointed by the church to work with children/young people and will be either a Lieutenant or Warrant Officer. There is very little difference between the work which either will do. However, a Lieutenant has completed a Youth Leader Training course and is ready to accept the full commitment of an Officer. A Warrant Officer may have completed a Youth Leader Training course but is not yet ready for appointment as a Lieutenant.

Criminal Records Check

Every Officer will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure through the Criminal Records Bureau. The check will be carrried out by the Boys' Brigade or Church and as it involves voluntary work the check is free of charge. Until this is completed, all contact with young people will be supervised.

Working in the BB

There are three main age groups in which Officers may work and depending on the Company, an Officer may work in one or more of these sections.

a) ANCHOR BOYS (aged 5 to 8). The emphasis is on short activities which are fun. Games, stories, crafts, singing are usually included. There is a Programme Resource Pack with lots of ideas and instructions.

b) JUNIOR SECTION (aged 8 to 12). Have a fast moving programme which may include games, crafts, drama, music. Again there is a Programme Resource Pack with ideas and instructions. There will be some local events and competitions which the boys can enter.

c) COMPANY SECTION (aged 11+). In addition to physical and recreational activities, games and sports; the programme is based around developing and learning new skills. The programme also includes a wide range of local and national events which boys will be able to enter.

In addition, some Companies have a separate programme for seniors (aged 15+). Seniors will be partly responsible for devising their own programme and activities. Each of the groups will have a leader who will work with the officers to plan the weekly programme.

The weekly meeting will last between 60 and 90 minutes. Usually Anchor Boys meet for 60 minutes, Junior Sections for 75 minutes and the older age groups for about 90 minutes.

Training

Officers recieve training to give them the necessary skills and confidence to plan and organise activities, as well as helping them with all aspects of working in a Boys’ Brigade Company. The type of training includes:

a) Youth Leader Training – this covers working with children and young people in general and includes training with working with the each of the BB age groups;

b) Specialist Training – these will cover particular subjects, such as Physical Activities, Drama or other BB activities like Camping and Expeditions.

Most courses are held locally and are non-residential. In addition, the District will give training on a small group basis where leaders need urgent training or attendance at a course is not possible.