Trampolining

FS120425 (Published November 2024, replacing January 2019)

Introduction

Trampoline parks and indoor centres have been springing up across the UK over the past few years. These commercially run centres have a high rate of incidents and injuries occurring on their premises. The following guidance has been developed to support members who are looking to participate in these activities with their young people.

Within Scouting this activity would fall within rule 9.1 - All activities.

Planning

When planning to use a trampoline park, consider the following to make sure that your group get the most from their session:

• Does the facility adhere to the latest safety standards? Not only for trampoline equipment, but also for the building and general facilities (the facility should be able to provide evidence of this, certificates, notification of conformity etc).

• Does the park generally look clean and well maintained?

• Does the trampoline equipment look in good condition? Is it regularly checked/inspected? There should be no tears or rips in any of the visible materials. Is there plenty of padding around the equipment and around the outside of the trampolines next to walkways?  Is there plenty of foam in the foam pits and is the foam in good condition?

• Does the park have risk assessments and clear operating procedures?

• Is a safety briefing provided? All jumpers must receive a safety briefing from park staff before taking part in the activity.

• Are there clearly displayed rules for park users to follow, this should be near each activity area and clearly explaining what the rules for each piece of equipment are? There should only be one bouncer per trampoline.

• Are court monitors always visible and active at every activity in the park? As a minimum, there must be one court monitor (member of staff from the trampoline park supervising) to every 20 bouncers.

• What qualifications and training do the court monitors/park staff have? Are there first aiders present provided by the trampoline park?

Supervision

It's important when planning to use trampoline parks and centres that supervision of Scout members is properly planned for. You must take into consideration the requirements of the park/centre, follow section ratios and put a supervision plan in place.

• Remember that the young people are still your responsibility. Split your group into small, manageable groups which volunteers can take direct responsibility for supervising.

• Make sure that volunteers are close enough to the group to see what they are doing. You need to be able to manage the behaviour of the group and respond to any incidents.

• Set some clear ground rules with the group before the activity starts. This can include which areas they are allowed to use, the supervision plan and any other specifics such as ‘no somersaults’ and ‘no double bouncing’.

• Make sure all the volunteers are clear on their roles and responsibilities and that the leader in charge has a plan in place to supervise and coordinate the other volunteers and their groups.

Disclaimers/Waivers

Trampoline parks should ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their young person; not a volunteer. Parents/carers should be given sufficient information along with the disclaimer/waiver to make an informed decision to sign it or not. Volunteers can only sign disclaimers/waivers for their own personal participation.

The activity organiser must notify Unity (Scout Insurance Services) before any disclaimers or waivers are signed.