From Chapter III of the book – “Who can be liable . . . and for what?”
How can a unit meet its “duty of care”?
Incorporating the following guidelines into a unit’s standard operating procedures may assist the unit in hopefully ensuring that its “duty of care” toward its Scouts is properly met (Scouts Australia “Leaders Support Guide”, South Australia “Adventure Activity Standards”):
- All unit leaders are technically competent and adequately trained for their position;
- All unit leaders are familiar with and practice outdoor risk management principles;
- All unit leaders are familiar with and practice Scouting’s safety rules and regulations, as well as industry-recognized “best practices”;
- All unit leaders provide adequate supervision;
- Scouts are given appropriate guidance and are properly trained before engaging in activities;
- Youth participation in an activity is both age– and skill–level appropriate;
- The proposed outdoor activity is appropriate for the expected conditions;
- All participants are fully informed of potential risks and steps taken to manage such risks;
- All parents are fully informed so that informed parental consent may be obtained for their son’s participation; and
- Appropriate medical treatment is available for any participant in need of such treatment.
Participating in an outdoor activity with untrained adults and unprepared Scouts is a recipe for potential problems given the above.
Here is a sample page layout for the book:
