Transcript Slide 1

Module 10 of the series
for Group Leaders
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10 About this self tutoring module
This interactive module
is based on the New
Zealand publication
called “ An Operating
Guide for Managing a
Scout Group”.
These interactive modules may be
downloaded free of charge from this
website:
region1.scouts.org.nz/
It is designed for Group Leaders
who are unable to attend a
training course, or who prefer to
learn at their own pace at home.
Note:
Click the BACK and NEXT buttons
to navigate through the module.
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10 The safety of youth
Some of these topics have been
explained or touched upon in earlier
modules, but it’s worth mentioning
them again.
Group Leaders are in many ways the
‘Gatekeepers’ of the Movement
because they are working at the coal
face of Scouting.
There is no one better placed to
encourage observance of the rules and
procedures designed to keep our
members safe.
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The contents of this module:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Overview of Risk Management
Assessing risks and dealing with them
Safety forms used by Scouting
The RAMS form explained
Hazard Assessment process
Conducting an incident debriefing
Keeping yourself safe
Leader to youth activity ratios
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10 Overview of Risk Management
Risk is inherent in everything we do.
• Our responsibility as leaders is to teach
our youth members how to identify
hazards and make wise decisions about
dealing with them.
• Your job as Group Leader is to ensure the
Leaders in the Group work through the
hazard assessment process and then run
activities where the risks are eliminated,
isolated or minimized, or so they are
acceptable to the parents and public.
• Don’t wrap youth members in cotton
wool. They need to learn about and deal
with real life experiences and its risks.
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Ages and brain development:
1. Keas and Cubs think they are
bulletproof and many have little
concept of fear.
2. Scouts are starting to realize the
consequences of taking risks
but peer pressure will still cause
them to act unwisely.
3. Venturers will usually assess the
risks quite well, but frequently
over estimate their ability to
cope with them.
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10 Assessing risks
The management of risk is a high
priority for SCOUTS New Zealand.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
In the event of a serious accident
We have a risk management procedure based involving injury or death, failure to
on working through and completing the:
complete the RAMS process and
1. Parent consent form
having an Activity Intention Sheet
2. Activity intention sheet
approved by the Group Leader prior
3. RAMS form (Risk Assessment Management System)
to the event could mean that the
4. Hazard assessment form
leader responsible for the activity is
not adequately protected by SCOUTS
The Group Leader’s role is to see that the
New Zealand.
process is followed, not do it themselves.
It is the act of working through and
completing the process that helps leaders
identify and deal appropriately with the risks.
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The Leader concerned could also be
personally liable for significant legal
costs if a Coroner’s Court is involved.
Blank forms may be downloaded from the Scouts website. See ‘Downloads / Forms /
Activities and Events’. Click here to locate the forms.
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10 Risk is always present
It must be realized that there is a risk
involved in most outdoor activities and that
challenge and adventure is part of the
programme used by Scouts to develop the
youth members.
The aim is to minimize the risks so that they
are at an acceptable level and should not
result in serious injury to those involved.
Once again every effort must be made to
Eliminate, Isolate or Minimize potential
hazards.
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Please note:
There are other section Leaders
available in most Zones who can advise
a Group Leader who lacks experience
or outdoor skills, and is hesitant to
approve an activity.
For example, all water or air based
activities must also be approved by
the appropriate Zone Water or Air
Activity Adviser.
Most Zones also have skilled advisers
available who are familiar with the local
countryside and can advise about
tramps and river crossing etc.
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10 The Leader’s skill and experience
The skill level and experience of the
leader in charge will determine how
well run and incident free an activity
is likely to be,
The more experienced, trained and
skilled the leader is, the less likely
there will be an incident or accident.
The progression towards an accident runs
like this:
1. The less experienced and trained the
leader is, the more near misses
(incidents) that will occur.
2. The more near misses that occur, the
greater the likelihood of an accident
eventually occurring.
3. Add untrained or poorly prepared
youth members and the likelihood of an
incident or accident occurring increases
hugely.
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10 Trained leaders are critical
It follows therefore that SCOUTS New Zealand need to
ensure leaders in charge of and involving youth
members in outdoor activities that involve a degree of
risk, need to be:
1. experienced in the activity itself
2. knowledgeable about the activity and have the skills
needed
3. experienced and familiar with the terrain involved
(both land and water)
4. knowledgeable about the weather patterns in that
environment.
To accept anything else is to increase the risk of an
incident or accident to an unacceptable level.
Summing up:
If the leader in charge
doesn’t have the experience
or training to lead the
activity:
• either seek out an
experienced person to
lead it (Mountain Safety
perhaps?)
• or delay the activity until
you find someone who
does.
Don’t risk the youth members or your leaders well being,
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10 Risk Management Forms
In the event of an accident, SCOUTS New
Zealand needs to be able to show:
1. What factors were considered in
arriving at the decision to proceed
with the activity.
2. That the Scout Risk Management
process was followed.
3. That someone else other than the
Activity Leader reviewed and
approved the activity plans.
The Group Leader or your nominee is
ultimately responsible for the safety
of youth and leaders in a Scout Group
and must review the plans for any
adventurous activity being held away
from the Scout Hall. You need to be
sure in your own mind that:
1. The activity leader has gone
through the planning process
thoroughly.
2. Identified potential hazards and
planed to deal with them.
3. Left a copy of the Activity Intention
Sheet with the nominated contact
person.
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10 Risk Management Forms
Name of form
Explanation
1
Parent consent form
Show the parents have been informed of the activity and
have signed to show their approval. Includes medical and
dietary information for the activity leader.
2
RAMS form
(Risk Assessment Management System)
Document the identification and assessment of the
potential hazards and how they are to dealt with. A copy
goes to each leader, and to the Group Leader.
4
Activity Intention Sheet
Record where the activity is to be held, when, who is in
charge, who is taking part, the planned route and when
they expect to return. One copy goes to the Group Leader
and one to the Contact Person.
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10 Risk Management Forms
Name of form
Explanation
4
Incident Severity Scale (Mt Safety)
Calculate the severity of the risk. Used for high risk activities
engaged in by Venturers and Rovers.
5
Accident Report
Document the details of an accident. Goes to the Group
Leader who will usually follow it up with a call to the parents
concerned. A copy goes to the Zone Leader as well so there
are no surprises.
6
Incident Analysis
Document the details of any incident. Goes to the Group
Leader and copied to the Zone Leader in case there is a
training issue that needs addressing.
These form may be downloaded from the National Scout Website once you have logged on.
www. scouts.org.nz / downloads / forms / activities and events.
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10 Declining An Activity
No Group Leader or Zone Leader gets any satisfaction from declining
to approve a planned activity.
They do so because an incorrectly completed form is a dead giveaway that:
1. the planning process has not been completed properly or seriously
2. inexperience on the part of the leaders involved may mean they are
planning to go into a situation that has caused an incident or an accident in
the past that they don’t know about.
If you want to know more about this system attend the course
1.4 Risk Management and Youth Safety for all section leaders.
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10 Keep yourself and the youth safe
Introduction:
All Leaders have a responsibility to
behave appropriately so that the
Movement, the Leaders themselves,
and the youth members are kept safe
and are not brought into disrepute.
The Group Leader is the ‘gatekeeper’
for the Movement and is responsible
for ensuring the leaders do their best
to observe the rules and guidelines
and in doing so keep everyone safe.
This information is displayed so you as
Group Leader are aware of the standards.
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For the Scout Movement
• Avoid doing anything that may give the
public cause to distrust the Movement
or the quality of our Leaders.
• The behaviour of our leaders and how
they present themselves shapes the
perception of the public and directly
impacts on the level of public support
our Groups receive.
• Watch for any behavior by Leaders that
makes you or others uneasy, and
discuss it with the Zone Leader.
• Advise the Zone Leader of any
undesirable behavior by a youth
member that has been brought to your
attention by the leaders.
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10 Keep yourself and our youth safe
Protect yourself as a leader:
• Avoid being alone in a vehicle with one
youth member. If you must, make sure
the youth member is seated in a back
seat and not beside you.
• Avoid being alone and out of sight with
one youth member. Be visible but out
of earshot if privacy is required.
• Never share a tent with a youth
member.
• If treating an injury, have another
leader, adult or youth present.
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• Make sure you have been
appropriately trained before
leading an activity.
• Always complete the Scouts
planning and risk management
process when planning to lead an
activity away from the hall.
• Assist Scout Patrol Leaders and
Venturer Activity Leaders to
complete the planning process
themselves as part of their personal
development.
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10 Keep yourself and the youth safe
For the youth members:
•
Discretely supervise our youth
members using public toilets.
•
Keep a watchful eye open for what you
think may be unusual behavior from
adults.
•
Organise outdoor activities so that you
have an adequate number of leaders
for the type of activity and the age
group concerned. (see next screen)
•
Appoint someone to keep counting
heads in each group of youth.
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• Check public parks and public places
for hazardous items before allowing
youth members to access the space.
(used needles, condoms etc)
• Brief youth members on the safety
hazards, site rules and who is in
charge during outdoor activities.
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10 Leader to Youth Ratios
Extensive information on leader to youth ratios is found in the Scout Rule Book found
on the website in’ Management Rules / Section 43’.
The following is a summary of the rules.
Indoor Activities
Section
Ratios
Keas
A minimum of one adult Leader per Posse with a minimum of two present at
all time, one of whom must be warranted and has completed Initial Training.
Cubs
A minimum of one adult Leader per six is desirable with a minimum of two at
all times, one of whom must be warranted and has completed Initial Training.
Scouts
A minimum of two adult Leaders should be present, one of whom must be
warranted and has completed Initial Training. Scouts should not need one
adult per Patrol. Additional adults should be focused on programme activities.
Venturers
A minimum of one warranted adult Leader should be present at all times.
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10 Leader to Youth Ratios
Outdoor and adventurous activities
Section
Ratios
Keas
A minimum of one adult Leader per four Keas. One Leader must be warranted
and has completed Initial Training. One of the Leaders must be trained and
experienced in running the activity.
Cubs
A minimum of one adult Leader per Six is required, one of whom must be
warranted and has completed Initial Training. One of the Leaders must be
trained and experienced in running the activity.
Scouts
A minimum of one adult per Patrol should be present, one of whom must be
warranted and has completed Initial Training. One of the Leaders must be
trained and experienced in running the activity.
Venturers
A minimum of one warranted adult Leader who has completed Initial Training
should be present at all times. However, Venturers are required to do some
activities such as medium difficulty tramps and expeditions for the Queen’s
Scout Award without direct adult supervision. The requirement is that the
Venturer leading the activity has the appropriate skills and experience for
leading the activity.
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10 Leader to Youth Ratios
Water activities - summary only
* PFD = Personal Flotation Device
Keas
Cubs
Scouts
Venturers
Pools
1:5 +Buddy system
1:5 +Buddy system
1:10 +Buddy system
Not specified
Open water
1:5 +Buddy system
1:5 +Buddy system
1:10 +Buddy System
Not specified
Kayaks (still water)
1:3 wear PFD
1:4 wear PFD
1:8 wear PFD
PFD
Kayaks (Moving water)
Not allowed
1:3 wear helmet, PFD
1:4 wear helmet, PFD
PFD + Helmet
Sailing
1:2 wear PFD
1:4 wear PFD
1 Ldr per 2 craft PFD
PFD
Rowing
1:2 wear PFD
1:4 wear PFD
1 Ldr per 2 craft PFD
PFD
Rafting
1:3 wear PFD
1:4 wear PFD
1 Ldr per 2 craft PFD
PFD
Fishing (Land)
1:3
1:6
1:8
Fishing (Boat)
Not allowed
1:4 wear PFD
1:6 wear PFD
PFD
Please refer to the Rule Book for details about leader training requirements etc.
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10 Check your understanding
Click what you believe is the correct statement
1. You are not a tramper and
have received an Activity
intention Sheet and
RAMS form for a Scout
weekend tramp
You read the forms carefully and if it looks OK you
approve it.
2. You receive an incomplete
RAMS and Activity Intention
Sheet. What do you do?
Send it back as it may mean that the risk process has
not been taken seriously and needs redoing.
You refer it to a Zone approved tramper for guidance
before approving or declining it.
Complete it yourself and approve it so the youth don’t
miss out on the activity.
3. You want to quickly check
the correct Leader to Kea
The ‘Managing a Scout Group’ publication.
ratio for a planned river trip
in Kayaks. Where do you
The Scout Rule Book, Section 43 on the website.
look?
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10 This module is completed
Congratulations. You have completed
the Group Leaders training module 10
Please click on this link and advise the Zone Training Leader.
The modules in this series are:
• GLs Support – 1. Scouts is a value based organisation
• GLs Support - 2. The Group, the committee, the AGM and you
• GLs Support - 3. Recruiting and inducting adult volunteers
• GLs Support - 4. Supporting your Group team
• GLs Support - 5. Leading by example
• GLs Support - 6. You are not alone
• GLs Support - 7. Communicating effectively
• GLs Support - 8. Planning and development
• GLs Support - 9. Protecting SCOUTS assets
• GLs Support – 10 Safety of Youth and Leaders
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Correct !!!
Well done, you understand SCOUTS approach on this.
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Sorry !!!
This is not the best answer.
It would be safer to refer the forms to a Zone
approved Leader with tramping experience until
such time as you feel you have enough experience to
make a judgement yourself.
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Sorry !!! Not a good idea.
An incorrectly completed Activity Intention
Sheet and RAMS form is usually a sign that the
Risk Management process and hazard
identification has not been taken seriously.
You might like to go through the process with
the Leaders concerned and impress upon
them that you take the process seriously and
expect them to do likewise.
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Sorry !!!
While the ratios are mentioned in the publication
‘Managing a Scout Group’, it refers you to the Scout
Rule Book for details and ratios.
And in case you wondered, Keas are not permitted in
Kayaks in moving water such as rivers or fast flowing
streams.
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