We, in Guiding, have an appetite to take reasonable risks. We are not risk averse. We ask that members and volunteers take into consideration the risks of their activities and be accountable for their behaviors. We ask that leaders take reasonable care with their actions and don’t walk past things that they know to be unsafe. By following Girl Guides Australia policy and procedures we will work together to maintain the health and safety of those around us.
We have training, documents and forms to help you manage risk through identifying, assessing and controlling the risks when you are undertaking Guiding activities. We have the Risk Management policy, Being Safe training, (attached is a short version of the PowerPoint), Risk Assessment Plan, called the RAP. We use the RAP when you are planning:
- Adventure-based activities and /or
- Activities that are not routine or predictable
An example of when a risk assessment plan is required would be your unit going to an orienteering competition in a National Park.
In other circumstances, you may choose to use the 3Q’s as your informal risk assessment:
- What am I/we doing? (Activity)
- What can go wrong? (Identifying the hazard & assessing risk)
- What can I do to make it safe/r? (Controlling the risk)
An example of using the 3 Questions would be your unit doing an activity that is routine or predictable at the local park, near your meeting place, such as a scavenger hunt, tracking skills or learning orienteering.
When completing a risk assessment plan focus your thoughts on three critical areas:
- People – keeping children safe, physical harm
- Environment – the weather
- Equipment – property damage
There may be some that don’t fit in these categories so can be placed in ‘other hazards’ section e.g. finance, reputational risk.
To control these risks a risk assessment and the implementation of control measures are to be undertaken. Girl Guides Australia has a framework, formal policy and procedure for undertaking risk assessment. Leaders/Managers should make themselves familiar with the Risk Management policy and procedure.
Leaders: Managing Risk and Being Safe
When Leaders are identifying, assessing and controlling risks associated with activities an ADM.56B Risk Assessment for outdoor activities, events and camps should be completed.
In the event of an incident, members are required to complete the Girl Guide Australia ADM.24B notification of incident report form. This form is to be used for any incident that does NOT involve an injury. This may be, but not limited to, property damage, theft, and near misses or an unsettling incident.
In the the event of an accident, where it is unlikely that further medical treatment will be required, members are required to complete Medication to Youth First Aid Treatment Record ADM.53b
In the event of an accident, where a reasonable person could expect that further medical treatment could be required, members are required to complete ADM.24A Notification of Accident Form.
ALL FORMS INCLUDING ADM.24A, 24B, 53B AND 56B can be downloaded HERE
To access a PowerPoint presentation that explains Girl Guides Australia’s approach to risk management in more detail click HERE.
To access the Being Safe Manual, click HERE.
District and Region Managers: Managing Risk
When Managers are identifying, assessing and controlling operational risks then ADM.56A GGA Risk Assessment Plan for Operational Risk should be completed. This form can be found on the Forms page HERE.
To access the full Managing Operational Risk Manual, click HERE.
Last Modified: 12/01/21 at 1:34 PM