Safety & Accreditations
If you want to see or download any of our documents then please find them here:
Risk versus reward….
To feel 'adventurous' activities need to feel challenging and put individuals outside of their 'comfort zone' but they should feel safe. Venture Out works hard to ensure that our activities provide an appropriate challenge for participants without compromising on safety.
Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority
The Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority is the body which regulates Adventurous Activities in the UK. It is a government body and part of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). Venture Out is licensed by AALA to provide hill walking, stream scrambling and water sports including; kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddleboards. This licence is required by companies who work with under 18 year olds. We are audited to ensure we:
employ staff who hold the relevant leadership or coaching qualifications and/or experience, first Aid certificates.
have Risk assessments, Operating Procedures, Safety & Safeguarding policies.
Copies of these documents are available on our Downloads page. If you require any further documentation please contact us.
More details can be found at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/aala/index.htm
Safeguarding young people
Venture Out is committed to the Safeguarding of young people from all forms of neglect and abuse, from all possible others. We have Safeguarding policies and procedures for our activities, that staff and participants must follow. Our staff recruitment procedure requires that our staff have enhanced DBS checks & first aid certificates.
Insurance
Venture Out is fully insured for all programmes that it runs through insurer Activities Industry Mutual. Our cover includes:
• £10 million liability insurance cover.
• Employers liability.
Paddle UK Delivery Partner
Paddle UK (formally British Canoeing) Delivery Partners have engaged and are committed to providing clients with a first class paddling experience that embrace learning and development. Delivering fun, engaging and safe activities that are aligned with your requirements.
Whether you are looking to join a guided tour, develop your skills, hire paddlesport equipment, gain qualifications or have a bespoke paddlesport requirement, the British Canoeing Delivery Partner logo provides the confidence of high standards in the provision of paddlesport activities.
Qualifications & Professional Association membership
Where required instructors hold the National Governing Body qualifications but always the experience appropriate for them to lead groups for that particular sport or activity, in the different levels of environment. Where there are no specific qualifications they are trained and follow our operating procedures to ensure safe practice.
As a business we invest in further qualifications for staff and continue to upskill staff through formal and informal training.
First Aid, emergency situations
All of our instructors are qualified first aiders and have attended activity specific courses to enable them to deal efficiently with any situation that may arise. Our staff will carry first aid kits and when off site emergency shelters for groups.
Trip Advisor
Venture Outdoors Ltd consistently sits as #1 for watersports in our area and also receive the Travellers Choice Award.
Cancellation Policies
As our programme elements often require advance booking (instructors, campsites, bunkhouses, equipment logistics), we have in place cancellation time frames for refunds. This is mainly to ensure we can pay our staff in case of a client cancellation. Full details can be found in our Booking T&Cs when you book. We therefore recommend that all participants take out cancellation insurance in case anything unforeseen arises before or during your programme that means you have to withdraw.