{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFS120339 (P\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eublished August 2020)\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EBackground\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWithin Scouts, we aim to develop skills for life, this includes young people learning about risk management and independence.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EKeeping members safe while allowing them freedom can be challenging to balance. We see many incidents occur when members are away from direct supervision of the volunteers leading activities.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis guidance is designed to provide volunteers with some suggestions of how to manage these activities in order to reduce the potential for incidents and injuries.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETypes of supervision\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are three types of supervision: direct, indirect and remote. When planning your activities you need to choose the type of supervision, but don\u2019t forget to always maintain your required section \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/ratios\u0022\u003Eratios\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen considering the type of supervision to be used with our members, the following factors should be taken into account:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAge\u003C/strong\u003E - Beavers and Cubs will require more direct supervision than Explorers.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECompetence\u003C/strong\u003E - The level of experience of the young person completing this activity. A Scout going into a kayak for the first time will require a higher level of supervision than that of an experienced kayaker.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EActivity\u003C/strong\u003E - Some activities that have a higher risk level, such as shooting, will always have direct supervision.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/10539/activity-and-risk-level-diagram.png","width":593,"height":204,"altText":"A diagram showing the activity and risk level versus the age and competence of young persons","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA leader with a group of young people working on the same activity. This will include a lot of things you will see in general section meetings, like helping Beavers to cut out a template, cooking activities with younger members or supervising a more adventurous activity like archery, climbing etc.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Direct Supervision"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA leader instructs the young people in the activity, but may then leave them to complete tasks themselves. With this type of supervision the leaders must still be on hand to assist if needed, so an example would be Scouts cooking sausages on a gas burner. Before the activity begins the equipment would be checked by the leader. The Scouts would be briefed on what the activity is, told how long they had, how to use the equipment, and given a set of instructions. The leader would check their understanding. The leader would then leave them to do the task themselves but be close enough to observe in general what was going\u00A0 on and would be aware of what issues may crop up that would require intervention -\u00A0 for instance be able to spot where behaviour may become an issue or if the oil was getting too hot in the pan. Where there are younger scouts who have not used the equipment before, or anyone with additional needs who requires assistance, the leader would be on hand to help at different stages of the activity.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECubs, at camp, collecting firewood. Before the activity they would be told where the boundaries are, and what they can do, collect dead wood only, not climb trees and their understanding would be checked. The leader could have an agreed signal such as a whistle, which, when heard, meant they had to come straight back. The Cubs would be out of sight, but with a clear set of boundaries, for a limited time and an agreed signal.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBeavers visiting the park, using the play ground equipment. The Beavers would be told what equipment they could use and what the boundaries are (not to leave the play area). The leader would check that they had all understood, and would remind them about sharing and general behaviour expected. The leaders may then watch from a bench, but have an overview of what they are doing and intervene if there were issues such as pushing or squabbling before it resulted in an injury.)\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Indirect Supervision"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThis is often where peer led activities with Scouts and Explorers will fit, the leader will help with the planning and preparation and will put in place a supervision plan to ensure that the group is monitored and supported and there are systems in place to make contact between the group and the leader. Remember with this the leader is still responsible for the group so they need to have clear systems in place as well as the confidence in the groups abilities to stay safe and stick to the plans. Remote supervision is most suited to Scouts and Explorers and will often be used to enable independent expeditions as well as peer led nights away activities.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Remote Supervision"}]},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/20133/a-female-cub-scout-climbing-over-a-fallen-tree.jpg","width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"A smiling Cub in a green uniform and yellow and purple necker sits on a fallen tree and smiles.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESupervision Plans \u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESupervision plans should include:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENumber of Members\u003C/strong\u003E - How many people are in the group? Head counts should be carried out when you observe / meet with the group.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EContact Arrangements\u003C/strong\u003E - How are you planning to stay in contact with the members? Depending on the activity and skills of the members this may include:\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMeeting the group at set times or checkpoints, you should also identify their estimated times of arrival.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EShadowing - tracking the progress of a group remotely, without them meeting you.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESweeping - following the group.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUse of technology - Mobile phone and location trackers may be used, but should not be the only form of contact arrangements with members.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHazards / Areas of Risk\u003C/strong\u003E - You may be able to identify areas of greater hazard, such as a river crossing on a route, or a location where navigational errors are more likely to occur.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/nights-away-and-camping/nights-away-permit-scheme/the-nights-away-event-passport-guidance/\u0022 title=\u0022The nights away event passport guidance\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENights Away Passport\u003C/strong\u003E -\u003C/a\u003E If a group of Scouts or Explorers are to be remotely supervised overnight, a Nights Away Passport will also be required.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEmergency plans\u003C/strong\u003E - Identifying what the process is for either the group or the supervisor if they believe there is an issue, from a member of the group getting injured to the whole group getting lost.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.mountain-training.org/media/qtqaaydl/remote_supervision_v2.pdf\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Mountain Training remote supervision\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/planning-and-assessing-risk/guidance-for-supervision-of-activities/dofe-and-top-award-expedition-safety-and-supervision/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022DofE and top award Expedition Safety\u0022\u003EDofE and top award Expedition Safety\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/nights-away-and-camping/nights-away-permit-scheme/the-nights-away-event-passport-guidance/\u0022 title=\u0022The nights away event passport guidance\u0022\u003ENights Away Event Passports\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/planning-and-assessing-risk/\u0022 title=\u0022Planning and assessing risk\u0022\u003EManaging free time activities safely\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.mountain-training.org/media/qtqaaydl/remote_supervision_v2.pdf\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Mountain Training remote supervision\u0022\u003ERemote Supervision - Mountain Training\u003C/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/planning-and-assessing-risk/\u0022 title=\u0022Planning and assessing risk\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Further Information","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Guidance for leaders on management and supervision of remote activities.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"14 July 2023","reviewDate":"17/08/2020","redirectUrl":"","id":41039,"nodeName":"Guidance for supervision of activities","title":"Guidance for supervision of activities","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Guidance for supervision of activities","headerSubTitle":"","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"ffe627","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Managing free time activities safely","url":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/planning-and-assessing-risk/managing-free-time-activities-safely/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Discover the activities","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities","newWindow":false}]},"subHeader":"Guidance for leaders on management and supervision of remote activities.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80MTAzOSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/planning-and-assessing-risk/guidance-for-supervision-of-activities/"}