STAYING SAFE - RISK ASSESSMENTS
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Everything we do involves an element of risk, so we need to have plans in place to manage this.
The guidance below will help you to do that, both before and during an activity or event.
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Introduction
We all do risk assessments or safety checks every day, such as when we cross the road. We choose an appropriate place to cross, look both ways and make a decision about whether it’s safe to cross.
We know that young people learn by doing. Activities encourage the development of young people and they can feel a huge sense of achievement in completing them. We want to provide EXCITEMENT, but not DANGER. ADVENTURE, but not HAZARD.
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Assessing risk starts in the early stages of activity planning and goes on throughout the activity, until all participants go home at the end of the activity. Embedding risk assessment within the planning process allows us to deliver safe, enjoyable and exciting programmes for young people.
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Who is responsible for risk assessments?
The simple answer is everyone has a part to play in assessing and managing risk. All adults have a role to play in keeping Scouts a safe place for our members and achieve this by working together and cooperating. Make sure that everyone understands the role they play and also that young people understand how they can help keep Scouts safe for themselves and others.
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The 5 simple steps of a Risk Assessment
1. Hazards - anything that could cause harm.
2. Who is involved? - what can happen to cause the harm.
3. Controls - ways of removing or reducing the risk.
4. Recording and communicating the risk assessment.
5. Reviewing and adjusting as needed - Dynamic Risk Assessments.
Sample Risk Assessments:
Can be completed, on paper, phone or OSM
Risk Assessment Template:
You can use templates, online applications, record your risks in OSM against the activity or the section, even making simple notes or annotating your session plans can document your thinking through the risk assessment process. The template below is just that, and if you have an alternative template you are comfortable with that is OK to use to.
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Please send in your Risk Assessments to info@hertfordshirescouts.org.uk so we can create a library.
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5 Steps to Risk Assessment Training
Wherever we go and whatever we do, the primary aim of every volunteer must be to put the safety of Young People first and support them in keeping each other safe. Risk assessment starts in the early stages of activity planning and goes on throughout the activity.
This training goes through using the five step Risk Assessment Model as best practice to conduct activity RA's.
This training also considers that during an activity hazards may change and volunteers need to have the knowledge to re spin the Risk Assessment Model(known as a dynamic risk assessment) and change the activity if needed.
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The training below will help you to better understand what a risk assessment requires and explain each of the 5 steps. This training is not mandatory but you will receive a certificate upon completion.
For more information or help:
What if we have an issue? - Out of Hours Contact 24/7
In an emergency situation where you need to speak to someone or seek advice please call 0208 236 0040 where an out of hours service 24/7 will triage you to the correct person. Alternatively contact the Scouts, on duty Critical Incident Manager, Safeguarding Officer or Media Officer please call 0345 300 1818 (local rate) or 020 8433 7100.