Ice skating

If you or another member of your leadership team is running the activity at an external venue/location, follow these extra steps:

• Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know about any changes to your plans.
• Tell your commissioner.
• Get a copy of the public liability insurance of the activity provider before you book.
• Check you hold the relevant qualification (if one is needed) to run the activity and let your commissioner know you plan to run it yourself. If you aren't sure, speak to your local adviser to check.
• Check with the venue that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the needs of your group.
• Get any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the venue, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
• Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged.
• Ask for a copy of the venue's safety guidelines and risk assessment (if relevant).
• Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls, leaders and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity if a qualification is needed). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.
• Consider the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions and plan the session accordingly.

Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form. Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation. 

If you're working with an external provider or external instructors to run this activity outside the unit meeting space, follow these extra steps. 

• Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know if you make any changes to your plans.
• Tell your local commissioner.
• Tell the activity provider about the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions that need to be considered when running the activity.
• Choose a reputable and licensed activity provider (where applicable).
• Check the qualified adults hold the correct qualification to be able to run the activity (see the information below).
• Get copies of the instructor qualifications and public liability insurance of the activity provider before you book.
• Ask for a copy of the providers' safety guidelines and risk assessment.
• Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.
• Check with the venue that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the requirements for your group.
• Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the venue, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
• Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged.

Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form. Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation.

No instructors are required for public skating sessions.

If the girls are being coached by an instructor as part of a private lesson, the instructor should hold the British Ice Skating Coach Level 2.

If you are considering ice skating somewhere that is not a recognised rink, please [email protected]

When taking girls to ice skating rinks you should consider the following as part of your risk assessment:  

• Does the ice rink generally look clean and well maintained? 
• Does the ice skating equipment look in good condition? Is it regularly checked?  
• Does the ice rink have risk assessments and clear operating procedures? 
• Does the park have public liability insurance? Is it for £5M or greater, in date and with a reputable insurer?
• Is a safety briefing provided? All skaters should receive a safety briefing from rink staff before taking part in the activity. 
• Are there clearly displayed rules for rink users to follow? 
• Are skating supervisors visible and on the ice?  
• What qualifications and training do the rink staff and skating supervisors have? Are there first aiders present provided by the ice rink? 

Make sure there are enough adults in your party who are confident at ice skating in case any participants get into difficulty. Always have at least one adult supervising who is not on the ice.

Before the session starts, ensure that all participants are clearly briefed on:

• Boundaries
• The rules of the rink
• Where to meet if the rink needs to be evacuated.
• It is advisable to wear two pairs of socks, long sleeves and trousers for this activity. It's important that participants wear gloves.

At the rink, check that the ice skates are:

• The right size for the user
• In good condition

New or nervous skaters should keep to the edges of the rink so they can use the barrier for support.

The ratios below are given as a maximum and ratios must be considered as part of the risk assessment, this may lessen due to any medical conditions or other factors. 

Leadership team ratio 

 As this activity will take place outside of your usual meeting place the Leadership team adult: girl ratio is mandatory.  

•  Rainbows: 1:5, at least 2 adults
• Brownies: 1:8 
• Guides: 1:12 
• Rangers: N/A – with Leader permission

Qualified adult: girl ratio 

For private lessons: 

The activity leader (qualified adult) should determine what size of group is safe. There must be enough qualified adults to ensure the safety of all participants. This will be determined by any limitations placed on their qualification/permit/or the rules of their operating organisation as well as the risk assessment taking into consideration the location, weather and experience of both the qualified adult and other participants. This risk assessment should be assessed by the leader and any concerns raised to the qualified adult.