Activities and Safety

Overview Activities –responsibilities as managers in Scouting Safety in Scouting –what the policy is and your responsibilities Nights Away –Nights Away Permit Scheme

Activities Activities and Safety

The challenge we face… Young people join our movement for activities… and leave when they are not provided.

Approved Assessor Applicant Responsible Commissioner Application Recommendation Permit Granted Adventurous Activity Permits

Applicant –To complete application form –To find a suitable Approved Assessor Responsible Commissioner –To ensure relevant child protection checks are made –To assess the applicant’s personal suitability to hold a permit Approved Assessor –To assess the applicant’s technical skills –To assess the applicant’s knowledge of the Association’s rules

Adventurous Activity Permits Activities that require a permit –Water activities (except Class C waters and swimming) –Hill walking (expect Terrain Zero) –Off road cycling (except Terrain Zero) –Snowsports (except Terrain Zero or artificial) –Caving –Climbing (except bouldering) –Abseiling

Terrain Zero

Class C waters Inland lakes, lochs or other stretches of placid water which are less than 100 metres wide throughout the region being used and where surface turbulence is limited to the regular waves produced by wind action. This also includes rivers or canals which again are less than 100 metres wide in the region that is being used.

Adult Groups Wholly adult groups (all over 18 years) Framework for ‘informed consent’ based on knowledge of potential hazards and risks

Practical considerations Home contact Parental permission Age restrictions Medical details Insurance Safety in Scouting

Safety Activities and Safety

“Nothing worth having in life is ever attained without taking risks” Fridtjof Nansen

The statistics

Safety Policy The Safety Policy of The Scout Association It is the policy of The Scout Association to provide Scouting in a safe manner without risk to health, so far as is reasonably practicable. The Association believes that this responsibility ranks equally with the other responsibilities incumbent upon those providing Scouting activities and functions.

Risk assessment Definitions –A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm –A risk is the chance (high or low) that someone will be harmed by the hazard

Nights Away Permit Scheme Activities and Safety

Key concepts of the Scheme DC already has responsibility for camping and residential experiences The introduction of –Nights Away Adviser –Nights Away Permit –Notification –Event Passport

Management of the Scheme DC requires to appoint one or more Nights Away Advisers –Hold a Sectional Wood Badge or complete Module 16 (Nights Away) –Complete Module 25 (Assessing Learning) Nights Away Advisers key to operation of Scheme

Applying for a Permit Three categories of Permit –Indoor for any Sleepover, indoor Pack Holiday, youth hostelling or similar event –Camp Site camping on sites where toilets, water and waste disposal facilities are provided –Green Field for camping where all facilities need to be provided by the camp team – for example, a summer camp on a farmer’s field

Applying for a Permit Assessment of the applicant –based on eight core skills –‘fast track’ assessment –practical assessment

Assessment of Applicant by Nights Away Adviser Eight core skills Planning a nights away event Ensuring the effective administration of an event Preparing and co-ordinating a programme of activities Choosing and preparing the event team Choosing, organising and maintaining the right equipment Ensuing the health, happiness and safety of self and others Organising good catering Make best use of the venue

Assessment and Recommendation District Commissioner FS The Nights Away Permit Scheme: Guidelines for District and County/Area Commissioners Nights Away Adviser

Issuing a Permit Commissioner considers recommendation and Applicant’s leadership abilities Permit is issued to the applicant with appropriate restrictions (as necessary) Permits expire after a maximum of five years

Applicant submits Application Form Nights Away Adviser Practical assessmentFast Track assessment Recommendation to District Commissioner by Nights Away Adviser District Commissioner considers leadership qualities & issues suitable Permit

Operating the Scheme Home District Commissioner is notified of planned nights away event (information as on Form NAN may be conveyed by a locally agreed method) If event is not being hosted at facilities owned or operated by Scouting, the host District Commissioner must also be notified

Young people The Event Passport for older Scouts and Explorer Scouts enables suitably supported young people to lead an event and records this achievement. A Permit or Passport is NOT required where all participants are over 18 years (for example Scout Network) - BUT notification is where any one participant is under 25 years

Advantages of the Scheme Reduces red tape – ‘just do it’ approach Competency ensures quality Reassures parents/carers and authorities Acknowledges the skills acquired Keeps relevant Commissioners ‘in the know’ Allows young people to undertake a leadership role Simple to operate

Practical considerations Home contact Medical details Insurance Safety in Scouting

Sources of information A to Z of Activities – Factsheet library – Scout Information Centre / Activities Office /