IMPORTANT UPDATE INFORMATION COVID-19
Coronavirus Adventuremark and LOtC Quality Badge Accreditation
AAIAC have agreed to terminate the current “postponement of inspections and associated extension of accreditation arrangements” on the 31st October 2020. This is a further extension of what has been currently agreed and allows time for everyone to time to adapt to the new (in effect return to the old) arrangements.
From the 1st of November we will:
- Accept new applications
- Undertake inspections
Inspections will be undertaken on the following basis:
- The Provider and the Inspector need to be satisfied that they are compliant with all relevant government, regional and local authority legislation and guidance.
- The Inspector and the Provider need to undertake their own risk assessment to confirm that an inspection is practicable, reasonable and safe as possible.
- Both parties need to be in agreement regarding all of the above before an inspection takes place.
- Inspectors will follow the Provider’s guidance and Covid-19 operating procedures when on site.
- Inspectors will, where practicable:
- Practice social distancing
- Wear a mask or face covering when appropriate
- Follow hand cleansing and touching guidance
- Inspections will only be undertaken if activity can be observed (i.e. as per normal).
Where a Provider has applied for accreditation but the above conditions cannot be met, the accreditation will remain valid (for the normal 12 month period) until such time as an inspection is possible. The duration of accreditation will not be extended.
New applicants will not be accredited until they have been subject to inspection.
If you have any questions please contact:
info@adventureactivityassociates.co.uk
To download the full statement please click here
These are very challenging times for all and we appreciate that Providers are facing many difficulties; we will do our best to support you and add our voice to Government for support for the Industry.
Andy Taylor
Chair, AAIAC, 12th October 2020
Useful Links - COVID-19
https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ - Scotland
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response - England / UK
https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid19 - Wales
https://gov.wales/coronavirus-regulations-guidance#section-41954
Outdoor Alliance (Cymru) Recovery Plan (Version 1)
UK Guidance for education settings:
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19
- https://gov.wales/coronavirus-travel-guidance-education-settings-and-students
- https://www.sapoe.org.uk/health-and-safety/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-education-providers/
- https://oeapng.info/4569-coronavirus-covid-19-updated-guidance/
- Click here for the Joint Statement to Schools
- Covid-19 Impact Survey for Organisations
- Scotland Eyes Outdoor Learning as a Model for Reopening Schools
- Supporting schools to re-open by taking learning outside
- Coronavirus Advice for Residential Outdoor Settings Summarised from Various Sources
- Adding “COVID-19 Secure” status to your Kaddi.com listing
UK Guidance for recreation settings:
- https://www.thebmc.co.uk/climbing-and-hill-walking-its-time-to-put-it-on-hold
- BMC - Can I start Climbing and hillwalking again and if so where
Documents for the Professional Community:
- Impact of Covid-19 on the Professional Mountaineering Community
- Covid-19 Impact Survey for Outdoor Professionals
- BMC Covid 19 Recovery Plan for Hill Walking and Climbing
- Links and Resources for Equipment Owners and Managers
- Covid 19 Framework for Decision Making
- Keeping Outdoor Activities Covid Secure
Reports:
The sector’s lead body for adventure activities
Safety Accreditation : Representation : Guidance
What We Do
AAIAC, the Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee, is the sector’s lead body for safety in adventure activities. It is representative of a wide range of stakeholders from the UK adventure activities sector and is supported by the Institute for Outdoor Learning.
Safety Accreditation:
taking a coordinating role in safety accreditation of adventurous activity and managing, developing and growing Adventuremark.
Representation:
being a single contact point for Government and other agencies in the areas of safety, risk management and good practice.
Guidance:
being a single point of contact for all stakeholders, sharing good practice, developing standards and guidance
Safety Accreditation
The Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge and Adventuremark are non-statutory quality and safety badges respectively. Both are supported by the AAIAC.
The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a manifesto to support LOtC. As part of this initiative, DfE is introducing a badging regime for quality learning provision (including safety) entitled LoTC Quality Badge.
For guidance on criteria on LOtC Quality Badge website listing click here
Adventuremark is a non statutory scheme for adventurous activities in the UK, supported by the AAIAC.
Governance
AAIAC was restructured in 2019 to be accountable to Adventure UK, which meets annually to receive an annual report and to provide direction, guidance and support on its strategic plan.
Adventure UK is the body of representative organisations who oversee the election of AAIAC members and its work plan.
Click here to access a full list of current Adventure UK Board, Council and Committees Membership
For a copy of the AAIAC Constitution please click here
The AAIAC Committee
The ten members of AAIAC are elected from all areas of the sector.
Elections for at least five places on AAIAC take place every three years.
Current Members:
- Chris Proud
- Jo Barnett
- Leo Hoare
- Pete Caterall
- Glen Probert
- Gary Dovey
- Tracey Evans
- Andy Taylor (Chair)
- Elspeth Mason
- Peter White
- Paul Kenwright
- Steve Woods
- Will Close Ash
- Tim Wild
- Phil Dale
- Jane Campbell Morrison (Coopted)
The following are currently Observer Members:
- John Cousins
- Paul Donovan
- Representation from HSE and AALS
Approved Schemes and Accredited Providers
AAIAC Multi Activity Approved Schemes
- AHOEC (Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres)
- BAPA (British Activity Providers Association)
- BC (British Canoeing)
AAIAC Activity Specific Approved Schemes
- MT (Mountain Training)
- MIAS (Mountain Biking Instructors Award Scheme)
- BASI (British Association of Skiing Instructors)
AdventureMark Holders
News and Updates
Here you will find what AAIAC has been working on and any important updates relevant to the sector
May 7, 2023October 21, 2022July 14, 2022More PostsResources and Guidance Documents
Resources for the Outdoor Sector
Multi Site Accreditation Guidance
The UK Ropes Course and Off-Ground Adventure Activities Guide 2021
Surviving a Career in Adventure Activities
Adventuremark Survey Report 2015
Which Route to Accreditation
AALS Info Log - Articles
Adventure RMS - Safety Management Updates
Connect With Us
To get in touch with the Chair of AAIAC - Andy Taylor - Please use the following contact
AAIAC© 2016