Good practice

Based on consultation with other organisations and careful consideration of the varying practices in this area, the following guidance is offered as a summary of current recommendations for good practice:

• Consider the security of the accommodation
• Ensure that children or young people sleep in single-sex accommodation
• Ensure that at least one responsible adult is within hearing distance, and that the children or young people know where they are, should they require assistance
• An adult must not sleep in the same room as the children. When visiting an organised camp or activity centre, you should ask if the centre has a policy on this issue. Do you have adequate insurance cover for all planned activities? We would advise you to contact the Church of Scotland Insurance Services for advice.
• Have you taken account of any medical or dietary needs of the children and young people? This can be done using the relevant SG Consent Form.
• When planning meals or booking a centre, it is important to find out if any of the children have food allergies. This can be done using the relevant SG Consent Form.
• A risk assessment should be undertaken where there are known difficulties or concerns about a children or children
• A first-aider should be present. Most centres will have registered first-aiders; however, this should be discussed with the centre.