Group activities

When running group activities you should: 

• Consider the ratios or number of workers needed to run the group safely.
• Consider the mix of workers needed e.g. How many male/female or senior/junior leaders you should have.
• Have a clear process for bringing in extra help or support when needed e.g.to avoid working alone with a child, young person or adult at risk.
• Consider the level of personal care required appropriate to the needs of the individual e.g. help with toileting.
• Have clear guidelines on personal conduct e.g. avoiding questionable activity such as rough or sexually provocative games and comments.
• Not allow anyone under 18 years of age to be left in sole charge of children of any age.
• Not leave the group unsupervised.
• Conduct a risk assessment for each activity. This can include an informal check before the start of an activity.
• Ensure that only workers assigned to the group are allowed to participate in the activity. Other adults should not be allowed free access.
• Make a note of other people in the building during the activity and any other events taking place at the same time.
• Have rules about how transportation to and from an activity or venue is provided and who is authorised to provide it.  
• Keep records of your activities such as a register of who attended, any standard Safeguarding records, including those regarding low-level concerns, stored securely, and an accident book.
• Ensure you have sufficient first aid cover and abide by food hygiene standards.

Peer led activities for 16 -18’s:

All peer-led activities should be overseen by named adults who have been through your organisation's safer recruitment processes. 

Peer-group leaders must be trained and supported by at least one adult worker and should be aware of safeguarding procedures, including reporting concerns to their supervising adult and that sensitive information should not be shared openly in the group. 

Nobody under the age of 18 should be left with the sole responsibility of caring for or supervising other children or adults at risk.

Although it is possible to undertake criminal record checks for those aged 16 –18, best practice is that only those aged 18 or over are responsible for working with children or adults at risk.

People aged 16 -18 who help with caring for other children/young people should be subject to the same recruitment process as adults and have undertaken safeguarding training. Read: Safer Recruitment of Young People.