Case study: Running a successful risk assessment workshop Summary: Hastings Woodcraft Folk ran volunteer training in risk assessment for sites, activities and individuals Recommendations: Allow one hour for this Work in groups for activities Offer a variety of templates Use a variety of activities Run this for young members too
Relevant links
“ Re ally very r i sk us asse ss an eful; I no w fe activ el ab ity m l e to ysel f.” JC
Online guidance: http://woodcraft.org.uk/resources/riskassessment-new-groups Risk assessment template: http://woodcraft.org.uk/resources/template-risk-
What happened: Adult volunteers wanted our AGM to include a workshop on risk assessment. We‘d already surveyed the views of our younger members using an adapted version of an NSPCC survey, and found that some of the younger ones felt unsafe in areas of the playground, and when taking part in certain activities. Although we had partially addressed this by delivering a safeguarding workshop as part of our young people’s AGM, we felt it was important that we empowered the adult volunteers to manage these risks too. We discussed risks, and the different ways they’re perceived by different people in different roles. We talked about being comfortable with the levels of risk management each individual imposes, particularly how this applies to the principles of free play that we try to uphold. We talked briefly about risk/benefit analysis, and about judgements young people make. We talked about site, activity and individual assessment, and about the importance of communication and evolution in a group situation. We looked at a sample of a current risk assessment for the site and activities for our camp, as well as a variety of available frameworks. We then split into two groups (the number of groups would depend on the number of activities suggested). One group risk assessed making a cup of tea; the second group played and then assessed a simple game (this would have been more effective had we also done a site assessment). Each group chose the framework they were most comfortable using, and fed back afterwards. This would also work well as part of a group night, if there were enough adults to lead activities as well as risk assess them. Doing this regularly ensures that risk assessment is embedded and current, and that all members of the group have ownership of the Contact for more info: Shar Brown, Co-ordinator, Hastings District, process. misha.tyson@btinternet.com to to talk d o o y g e “ It’s hat th out w b a s r .” HW othe e risky b o t r e consid