Trampoline parks

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.

There are no formal qualifications required, but the trampoline park should be supervised and monitored by staff that have had appropriate in-house training, as specified by the activity provider. 

When taking girls to trampoline parks, you should consider the following as part of your risk assessment:

• Does the facility adhere to the latest safety standards? These should be both for the trampoline equipment and general facilities (the facility should be able to provide evidence of certificates and notification of conformity etc.).
• Does the park generally look clean and well maintained?
• Does the trampoline equipment look in good condition? Is it regularly inspected? There should be no tears or rips in any of the visible materials.
• Is there plenty of padding around the equipment and around the outside of the trampolines next to walkways? Is there plenty of foam in the foam pits, and is the foam in good condition?
• Does the park have risk assessments and clear operating procedures?
• Does the park have public liability insurance? Is it for £5 million or greater, in date and with a reputable insurer?
• Is a safety briefing provided? All jumpers must receive a safety briefing from park staff before taking part in the activity.
• Are there clearly displayed rules for park users to follow? These should be near each activity area and clearly explaining what the rules for each piece of equipment are. There should only be one bouncer per trampoline.
• Are court monitors always visible and active at every activity in the park? As a minimum, there must be one supervisor to every 20 bouncers.
• What qualifications and training do the court monitors or park staff have? Are there first aiders present and provided by the venue?

If you're planning a sleepover at a trampoline park, please follow the residential ratios and guidance.

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

Leadership team ratio

As this activity will take place outside of your usual meeting place, the leadership team adult to child ratio is mandatory.

• Rainbows: 1:5 (minimum of 2 adults).
• Brownies: 1:8.
• Guides: 1:12.
• Rangers: N/A (with leader permission).