You will no doubt have read about the tragic death of the Explorer Scout Ben Leonard. The Scouts Association (TSA) are committed to learn from this tragic incident, and as such TSA have made changes since 2018, and they will be taking the time over the coming weeks and months to consider further improvements to safety policies and procedures.
Those in the roles of Regional, County, District Commissioners, District Explorer Commissioners, Group Scout Leaders and Trustees have been provided with further information on ensuring we comply with the current rules and recommendations around nights away and other areas.
The following points are relevant to Nights Away. If you are a permit holder, applicant or are likely to be attending a nights away event please take the time to read them
1. Nights Aways MUST only be undertaken when at least one nights away permit holder is present overnight. If you require any advice on this, please speak to either me or your GSL.
2. Nights away permits are valid for up to 5 years and MUST be renewed. The onus is on the Permit Holder to apply and so continue to be able to run a nights away event. BlacktoftBeacon District Nights Away Advisors are Paul Daniel, Paul Wharram and Sean Bell If necessary I can call on advisors from neighbouring Districts or from County) If your permit is nearing the time for renewal speak to one of them or myself and complete the application form.
3. I recommend that GSL’s put an item on their leaders meeting agenda to discuss the permit situation in their Group.
4. Nights away notifications MUST be submitted at least 7 days in advance of any nights away. It is strongly recommended that this is done 14 days in advance. This ensures that there is sufficient time to receive positive confirmation from myself as the approver before the activity can take place. Please ensure membership numbers are present on nights away forms.
5. Risk Assessments for all the activities undertaken on a nights away event must be submitted along with the NAN form, and contingency plans also be in place. These risk assessments MUST be shared with all adults attending.
6. It is strongly recommended that volunteers who have not completed Safeguarding, Safety, or First Aid (where required for the role) do not attend nights away or permitted activities. Please also remember Volunteers with roles that require Mandatory training that is expired or is outstanding when the role has been held beyond the initial training period (which are currently: Safety and Safeguarding – 5 months; First Aid – 3 years), will be suspended and unable to attend any Scouting events.
7. Where occasional helpers are attending Nights Away events it is recommended that they also complete Safety and Safeguarding online. This ensures the helpers understand how we operate, and to know the boundaries of what is permitted, and the controls that need to be in place.
I hope that everyone is already following the advice and rules above, so I expect that there are only a few changes to be made.
Alan Hayward
Acting Lead Volunteer Blacktoft Beacon District
