Remote Supervision is the term used when the Visit Leader is not directly present with participants. Working without immediate supervision can help learners to develop independence and self-reliance.
If Remote Supervision is used as a part of the delivery of Adventure Activities the Visit Leader and/or the instructor should have significant experience in the relevant activity and should consult the Local Authority or Employer in the planning stages.
Visit Leaders remain responsible for participants even when not in direct contact with them. They should not underestimate the challenges of remote supervision. It requires extra planning and contingencies to be put in place. This should be reflected in the Visit Plan.
The withdrawal of direct supervision should be a gradual four stage process:
- Accompanying the group
- Shadowing the group
- Checking regularly at agreed locations
- Checking occasionally at agreed locations
Particular attention needs to be given to the information provided to parents and participants before using remote supervision.
