Outdoor Education North Yorkshire is committed to safeguarding all young people, participants and visiting adults whilst providing real adventure.

Content

1. Statutory and non-statutory licences and accreditations for risk management and quality
2.  Competent and qualified instructors
3. Operational Procedures, Risk Assessments and Fire Risk Assessments
4. Child Protection and Safeguarding
5. Supervision arrangements for children and young people
6. Clients’ responsibility for safety
7. Transport
8. Food Safety
9. Insurance

1. Statutory and non-statutory licences and accreditations for risk management and quality

Adventure Activities Licence

Both Bewerley Park and East Barnby hold Adventure Activity Licences issued by the Adventure Activity Licencing Authority, a part of the Health and Safety Executive.

This means that each centre has been inspected by the Adventure Activity Licensing Service

Details of our licences are available at: AALA Looking for a provider?

Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge

Both Bewerley Park and East Barnby hold Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badges. This means that we have been inspected and continue to meet national standards in the following areas.

1. We have a process in place to assist users to plan the learning experience effectively
2. We provide accurate information about its offer
3. We provide activities or experiences which meet learner needs
4. We review the experience and acts upon feedback
5. We meet the needs of users
6. We have safety management processes in place to manage risk effectively

Details of the scheme are available at: CLOtC – Quality Badge

Association of Heads of Outdoor Centres Gold Standard

Both Bewerley Park and East Barnby hold the Gold Standard from the Association of Heads of Outdoor Centres. This means that we have achieved the higher standards set by the Association during our respective Quality Badge inspections.  Details of the scheme are available at: AHOEC – Gold Standard

Adventuremark

Both Bewerley Park and East Barnby hold Adventuremark accreditation. This means that our operating arrangements meet the accreditation standards of the Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee.  Details of the scheme are available at:  AAIAC – Adventuremark

Mountain Training

We are a registered provider for a range of Mountain Training courses.  Details of our status are available at: Mountain Training Provider Status

Outdoor Education Advisers Panel

Senior Leaders within Outdoor Education are individually Accredited by the Outdoor Education Advisers Panel.  Details of accreditation are available at: OEAP Accredited Member

Royal Yachting Association

East Barnby is a recognised training centre.  Details of our status are available at: RYA Training Centre status

2. Competent and qualified instructors

The Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations 2004 require that competent and qualified instructors are appointed. Providers may demonstrate the competence of their instructors by externally awarded qualification, local validations, in-house training, experience, or any combination of these. There may be other ways. Four established ways of demonstrating competence are:

• Qualifications
• Equivalent qualifications
• In-house training
• Competence through experience

In accordance with service needs employees will be supported in gaining nationally recognised leadership or instructional qualification in adventurous, environmental, or outdoor activities where this is appropriate. The assessment of in-house training or competence through experience will be carried out by someone with the qualifications to fulfil this role for the equivalent national qualification where this is applicable.

3. Operational Procedures, Risk Assessments and Fire Risk Assessments

Operating procedures and risk assessments for adventure activities are inspected as part of both statutory and non-statutory licence and accreditation schemes.

We follow the Health and Safety Policy of North Yorkshire Council, our employer. We work with our named Health and Safety Adviser, Premises Manager and Heads of Services of other relevant departments to ensure that our operating procedures and risk assessments fulfil both statutory and non -statutory legislation, guidance and advice, and appropriate Council policies and guidance.

4. Child Protection and Safeguarding

The Council has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need and to promote the upbringing of such children by their families. We comply with Council policies including safer recruitment and disclosure and barring checks. We undertake training appropriate to roles in line with guidance from North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.

5. Supervision arrangements for children and young people

Clients should ensure that any staff (teachers, leaders, governors, adult helpers) understand that their supervisory responsibilities for children and young people within their group remains with them for the duration of the visit, during all non-activity time, mealtimes and overnight.

Our staff are responsible for supervision throughout taught sessions. However to ensure both relevant educational links and to support appropriate risk management of the group during the session, client staff are expected to accompany groups whilst undertaking activities.

6. Clients’ responsibility for safety

All participants, including children and young people, have a responsibility for the safety of themselves and others. They are expected to follow safety instructions, act reasonably and behave appropriately relative to their age, and are encouraged to share any concerns or issues with either their or our staff, in confidence if necessary.

7. Transport

Outdoor Education North Yorkshire operates a fleet of minibuses, MPVs and trailers for in-course transport. All operations comply with Council fleet policies and protocols. Drivers hold appropriate licences, and where required undertake driver CPC. Minibuses operate under Transport Act 1985 Section 19 permits.

8. Food Safety

Both Bewerley Park and East Barnby have been inspected under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme and hold 5-star (very good) ratings.

Details of our status can be found at: Food hygiene rating

9. Insurance

Outdoor Education North Yorkshire holds Public Liability Insurance with a limit of indemnity of £50,000,000. We also hold Professional Indemnity for our advisory services with a limit of liability of £5,000,000.

It is the responsibility of the client to ensure that they arrange appropriate travel or school journey insurance for any booking made with us.