These should continue to the stated expiry date, unless the person wishes to change the level of their authorisation. If this is done so before you introduce the new Permit Scheme, simply amend the authorisation as per current procedure.
Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme - Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to existing authorisations?
Can you expand on the meaning of restrictive Permits?
Although an applicant may be able to demonstrate technical competence in a particular activity, their level of experience may be limited to certain areas. Examples are in hill waking (someone who confines their activity to their knowledge of the Brecon Beacons may not be suitable for the remoter parts of Scotland), climbing confined to stated areas or indeed climbing walls, cavers to certain routes/systems or water activities to certain rivers.
Will definitions of Terrain 0, 1 and 2 be changed?
No, but they may be a lesser problem with restrictive permits. Those who typically operate in areas like Dartmoor or the Brecon Beacon, where there are occasional areas that move in to Terrain 2, the Approved Assessor can look at the applicant's ability for the whole area.
In hill waking, will the requirement to have attended WGL or ML training still be required?
No. Although training is recommended, people can gain skills through a number of different methods. What is important is the person's ability, and that is tested at the assessment stage.
Is the new scheme compatible with Girl Guiding UK?
The review of the authorisation scheme, and introduction of a Permit Scheme, was based on supporting the needs of those in Scouting and the structures and systems we have in place. Where someone has gained experience under the GGUK scheme, this should be taken in to consideration.
The responsible Commissioner looks at the person's 'maturity' to run the activity. Can the comments of the Approved Assessor be taken in to consideration?
The Approved Assessor will be focussing on the applicant's technical ability, rather than how they work with young people. However, they may wish to comment and this should be taken in to consideration.
Is our scheme compatible with National Governing Body Awards?
Our scheme is solely for those operating in Scouting and Permits can be issued to restrict the activity to certain areas. NGB Awards, typically, apply across the UK. Conversely, the possession of an NGB Award does not mean that a person is suitable to work with young people, hence the checks that need to be made by the responsible Commissioner – including the fact that we have certain activity specific rules. We do, however, suggest that the training schemes offered by those accredited by NGBs are good places to learn skills.
Will Assessor funding still be available from Headquarters?
There is no change here. It should be noted that this is reviewed regularly and if changes are to be made, these will be announced in the Activities Newsletter.
Permits will be recorded on the Membership Services Database. Who has access to see whether a person holds a Permit and how does that fit in my County Register where we follow up on lapsed authorisations?
Access to view details of Activity Permits will be the same as current access to view details is. This will allow people with County appointments to see details for everyone in their County, and District appointments for everyone in their District. A list of records of all those in a District or County with an Activity Permit can be pulled off to show which permits are coming up to their expiry date. As with the rest of the Membership Services Database development is ongoing that will lead to more functionality in finding, sorting and displaying records of those with Activity Permits. Membership Services are hoping to have the ability to record Activity Permits available by February 2006.
There are so many first aid qualifications issued by different bodies. What help is there available to understand what is compatible?
Further details on First Response and its equivalents can be found in the factsheet FS310547 First Response: Definition and Equivalents. Details of what is required for a valid first aid qualification (as required for activities in terrain 2) can be found in the factsheet FS120454 Hillwalking.
Can you expand on why the Permit holder does not need to have a valid first aid qualification at the time of assessment, as is the case with the authorisation scheme?
The actual need is to have accessible first aid cover for the activity, rather than attaching that requirement to the Permit holder. So, for example, that cover could be provided by a second adult in a walking group or be shore-based for water activities. For young people working remotely, for example on expeditions, it is the young people that need to be trained in first aid rather than attaching that requirement to a Supervisor who is not immediately to hand.
Can a young person hold a Permit?
Yes. Perhaps the most typical example is where expeditions are being conducted. However, in these circumstances, the responsible Commissioner may place restrictions on time and require that a responsible adult conducts, perhaps, daily visual checks on progress.
Why aren't archery and shooting included within the scheme?
The Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme covers only those activities defined as adventurous. This means that only activities that were covered under the authorisation scheme are included, which doesn't include archery or shooting. Archery and shooting will therefore continue following the same Rules and guidance as before.
What do I have to do to complete Module 25 - Assessing Learning (Adventurous Activities)?
Module 25 is included to ensure all County Assessors have the necessary soft skills, as well as technical skills, to be able to carry out effective assessments. It is specifically written to be appropriate to County Activity Assessors and can be found on the Activities pages of ScoutBase UK. Validation is done through carrying out two assessments, with a workbook available for those requiring support and learning opportunities beforehand. A Training Adviser (who might well be another County Assessor) will be available to provide support and confirm validation.
