Important Updates to Face to Face Scouting Guidelines:
Following from Craig’s message in West Lancs+ on Friday, I wanted to provide you with information about changes made about what Scouts can now do in a face-to-face setting – the below is really good news and will allow all of our sections to get up and running in the coming weeks.
HQ have now confirmed the following changes to the rules for Amber readiness in England:
Indoor activities are now allowed, but outdoor activities are preferred and should be encouraged.
Numbers change to 15 young people and up to five leaders (carers can be in addition and will not be counted in these numbers) – this applies both indoors and outdoors. Leaders can also include Young Leaders.
Young people must stay in their limited group size but adults will now be able to move between these groups, ie across the 25m spacing if outdoors or to a section meeting at a different time on the same day.
Leaders don’t need to wear a face covering when delivering activities – however, it’s recommended to wear one in all other circumstances.
Scouts and Explorers must now wear face coverings indoors. Exceptions as per national guidelines are permitted.
For now, all young people in all sections must continue to social distance by 2m from each other where possible and from adult volunteers at all times.
I am aware that a number of sections have recently been completing risk assessments to return to face to face Scouting, with some already approved. Where these have already been approved groups may wish to amend their current risk assessments to allow for the changes, including increased group sizes and meeting indoors. This means:
A Group/section who’ve already had an approved risk assessment for meeting outdoors, but want to increase their numbers outdoors, should note this as a change on their local copy. This doesn’t need to be re-approved as there are no new COVID-19 risks identified.
A Group/section who’ve already had an approved risk assessment for meeting outdoors, and who now want to meet indoors, would need to consider what new COVID-19 risks exist. They’d need to amend their risk assessment and submit it for re-approval. Until that’s approved, they may continue to meet outdoors under their previously approved risk assessment.
A Group/section who haven’t yet submitted a risk assessment now have the opportunity to include outdoor and indoor options on a single risk assessment.
At the All Leaders’ Meeting on Tuesday, I will briefly talk about these changes amongst the district updates and there will also be an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. A reminder of Zoom details can be found below:
Meeting Start Time: Tuesday 8th September @ 19:00
Meeting ID: 964 3705 9909
Passcode: 011657
If you need any help with risk assessments, please don’t hesitate to contact our Covid Risk Assessment Group (crag@wyrescouts.org.uk), they would be more than happy to help you.
Thanks for all that you do to support Wyre Scouts, I am sure, like me, you will be excited to get back to face to face Scouting, helping give young people amazing opportunities, which are needed now more than ever!
