What is the Nights away scheme?
Nights away or residential events, whether camping, hostelling, sleepovers or bivouacs, form an integral part of scouting, and are something that every young person should have the opportunity to take part in. To be able to run an event at least one leader must hold a Nights away permit, which is an internal assessment scheme designed to ensure that all those leading nights away events for young people within Scouting have the skills, experience and personal suitability to do so. To find out more about the Nights away scheme please visit https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/nights-away-and-camping/
To qualify for a Nights away permit you must complete the training below:
- Hold a vaild first Aid Certificate
- Running Safe Activities (Module 17)
- Introduction to Residential Experiences (Module 16):
- Nights Away (Module 38) Course (Optional if you believe you have the experience to run a nights away event you do not have to attend the module but we would highly recommend it. The following link is for the training course run by Merseyside Scouts https://merseysidescouts.com/pages/adult-support-training-course-information-1 )
Applying for a Nights Away Permit
Whether you believe you have sufficient experience or have recently completed the required training and begun building experience and you want to apply for a Nights Away Permit. In the first instance, you would contact the District Nights Away Advisor (NAA) or District Lead Volunteer to discuss making an application or if you have any questions. Please email our permits manager Wesley Sloane ([email protected]).
Renewal
All permits have an expiry date which is a maximum of 5 years from the issue date, after which the permit ceases to be valid. To renew a permit the holder will need to complete an application form and pass it to their NAA. The NAA will consider the experience of the applicant and decide the most appropriate form of assessment. A practical assessment is unlikely to be required but the NAA may wish to meet the applicant or may simply consider the experience listed and issue a recommendation to the commissioner on the strength of the known evidence.
If your Nights away permit is up for renewal please download and complete the form and email it to our Nights away team:
https://archive.scouts.org.uk/media/1007084/Application-for-Nights-Away-Permit-Jan-19.docx
Nights Away Notification Form (NAN Form)
Each time a Nights away event is run you MUST notify the District Lead Volunteer 7 Days before the start of the event. This is done through completing the information in the Nights Away Notification (NAN) and getting it approved by the District Lead Volunteer. UNLESS A VALID NAN FORM IS SUBMITTED AND APPROVED, A NIGHTS AWAY EVENT IS NOT VALID.
