Activities Check List – Beaver Scouts

See also Scout Association Fact Sheets FS120084 Scout Led Activities Index & FS120086 Commercially Led Activities Index

This checklist is designed solely as an aid to activity planning, leaders must ensure that any planned activity complies with all relevant sections of P.O.R.

General (applies to all activities)

Parental Permission

Leaders should always ensure that parents are aware of, and agree to, the nature of the activities planned.

Medical Permission

The Children’s Act 1989 states that “a person who has parental responsibility for a child may not surrender or transfer any part of that responsibility.” Parents/guardians may be asked to sign medical consent forms and those forms may be accepted by medical staff in the event of an emergency. However, both parents and leaders should be aware that medical practitioners have the right to demand the specific consent of the parent/guardian. See FS120082

Risk Assessment

We need to assess and control the risks associated with activities in order to minimise the chance of injury. A risk assessment is simply a look at what could go
wrong, both before and during the activity, then deciding on ways to prevent, or minimise, these potential problems. See FS120000.

In Touch

See FS120075.

Adult Assistance

See here for guidelines of when adult helpers need to be registered as “Occasional Helpers” and complete a CRB/DBS check.

Insurance

Only members of the Association are covered automatically by Scout Personal Accident and Medical Expenses Insurance; any non-member helpers, or family members
will need to be added. The Scout Association Legal Liability Insurance does not cover liabilities arising from the operation of motor vehicles, boats or aircraft.
“For insurance cover by Headquarters to be effective, the Rules of the Association must be complied with, particularly those Rules governing the organisation of activities and safety precautions applying to activities” P.O.R. 8.3

Further information from Unity (formerly Scout) Insurance Services www.unityins.co.uk

Transport

Leaders and helpers vehicles must have appropriate insurance cover and must be in roadworthy condition. Mini-bus drivers should be qualified. Seat belts and child restraints must be available, and used, as required by regulations; see FS320006. For other transport concerns, consult the Scout Association Information Centre

Accidents

If any person, whether a Member of the Movement or not, suffers personal injury, necessitating treatment by a doctor, dentist or at a hospital; or requires rescuing involving any Emergency Service, or dies in the course of, or arising out of, a Scout activity or whilst on, or in conjunction with, any Scout property or if an accident during a Scout activity results in third party damage, Headquarters must be informed immediately. Full procedures in P.O.R. Chapter 7. Aide memoir see FS120079

Activities as defined in P.O.R. Chapter 9

All activities are subject to approval by the DC. An activity away from your base should be notified via either an Activity Form, see or, if it is a sleepover, Nights Away Form, see . Outings & Visits Outings and visits are an important part of your programme, at least one evening or day outing should be included in each terms’ planning. Parents/Carers must be given a reasonable period of advance notice, FS120081 provides a useful format for this purpose. For any activity away from base Leaders should ensure a ratio of at least 1 adult to each 6 Beaver Scouts plus the activity Leader. For further guidance see Fact Sheet
Fs155052.

Sleepovers

Sleepovers give young people their first taste of residential Scouting; it is vital that this experience should be of good quality. The Leader of a Sleepover must hold a valid Nights Away Permit and remains responsible for the event at all times. Sleepovers must be located within a building and should last no longer than 24 hours, including travel; the venue should be close enough to allow parents/carers to have access to their child should it be required. For Sleepovers, Leaders should ensure a ratio of at least 1 adult for each 6 Beaver Scouts plus the event Leader. For further guidance see Fact Sheet FS155053. Notification of the event should be made to the DC, (Nights Away Form, see above), at least 7 days prior.

Nights Away Permits are issued by the District as detailed in P.O.R. 9.57a – 9.57k. Family Camps Beaver Scouts may take part in family camps. POR Rule 9.62(a) states that Beaver Scouts may attend Family Camps under the supervision and control of their parents/carers or responsible adults nominated by the Beaver Scout’s parents/carers who take responsibility for the individual child and have completed the appropriate form (see FS120083); the nominated adult must not be a member of the Camp Leadership Team.

Adventurous Activities

Beaver Scouts may take part in adventurous activities such as boating or climbing on an indoor climbing wall. Any Leader acting as an instructor for such activities must be in possession of a permit issued under the Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme, FS120100. For applicant’s guide see FS120101. For fact sheets on these and other activities see the link below or contact the ADC(Activities).

Local Hikes

A permit is not required but Leaders must ensure appropriate planning and supervision, 1 adult to 6 Beaver Scouts plus the activity Leader, and that participants are suitably equipped. Use of Professional Centres and Instructors When professional instructors or leaders from outside the Movement are engaged for caving, climbing, trekking or watersports in the United Kingdom, they may be subject to the Adventure Activity Licensing Regulations 1996. Leaders must check if a licence is required and, if appropriate, is held. When professional instructors are engaged for an adventurous activity not subject to the Licensing Regulations, they must be qualified to the level recommended by the appropriate National Governing Body, Government Agency or other body recognised by Headquarters.

Other Activities

See P.O.R., see link below or contact the ADC(Activities)

P.O.R. see http://scouts.org.uk/por