Safety is our primary consideration...
At Manor Adventure, we regard our staff as our greatest asset, and fundamental to the rigorously high standards of safety at our centre. The Course Report Forms completed by every school who attend our centre, continually rate Manor Adventure staff as excellent, professional and caring. This is not achieved lightly.
Recruitment
We do not recruit our staff purely from application forms or rely on a one hour interview. Manor Adventure receives over 1500 graduates and high calibre outdoor pursuit applicants for every 40 instructor posts each year. Once interviewed and vetted, around 100 applicants are invited to the Manor for a rigorous and demanding assessment weekend. 60 are then selected for an in-depth selection week, leaving only the best 40 to join the Manor Adventure instructional team.
Training
Extensive training takes place once an instructor is selected. This covers not only the fundamentals and qualifications of each activity but also instructional techniques, health and safety, pastoral care, and first aid. All instructors are continually monitored on safety and performance on all activities. Great emphasis is placed on feedback from Party Leaders and Teachers via the Course Report Forms, which aids our assessment of the quality and safety of the instruction provided.
What we look for in an instructor:
- » Empathy to relate to each child's personality
- » Awareness of each child's differing levels and abilities
- » Caring attitude to each and every child
- » Understanding of each situation as it arises
- » Awareness of medical & dietary requirements
- » Character & personality
- » Social skills
Qualifications
All Manor Adventure Instructors, not just Senior Instructors, hold the following qualifications as a minimum:
- » First Aid Certificate
In addition, specialist qualifications relating to specific activities include:
- » National Small-bore Rifles Association: Youth Tutors Diploma Award
- » BCU (British Canoe Union): Instructor. Or UKCC (UK Coaching Certificate): Level 1 Paddle sport
- » Mountain Leadership Training Board: Single Pitch Award
- » British Fencing Association: Teaching Award
- » Grand National Archery Society: Leaders Award
As well as the above awards, every instructor receives training in Customer Care, Radio Voice Procedures, Emergency Procedures, Child Protection, Fire Safety and Drug Awareness.
Instructor : Pupil Ratio
Manor Adventure operates all activities within the guidelines laid down by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) who rigorously inspect the Centre annually. Examples of Manor Adventure Instructor to pupil ratios are:
- » 1:1 Climbing
- » 1:1 Abseiling
- » 1:7 Pony Trekking assisted by BHS Instructor
- » 1:8 Open Canoeing & Kayaking inland water
- » 1:12 Obstacle Course
- » 1:12 Archery
- » Watersports
- » Climbing
- » Trekking
Security
The Manor is a secure estate located in the countryside, four miles from the nearest town. Access to the Centre is only possible via a half mile, private drive. The security barrier is locked at night.
Regular Audits and Assessments
- All our staff are checked in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
- Every year an expert Health and Safety Consultant visits our centres to ensure that all areas are kept to the highest standards and updated to cover any new legislation.
- Each activity is continually monitored and assessed by a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents trained assessor using the latest computerised programmes. Copies are available to all schools and LEA's.
Health and Safety and First Aid Training
All departments receive Health and Safety awareness training every six months by an independent expert. In addition, every instructor and one member per department receives first aid training and holds a First Aid Certificate with special emphasis on young people. All first aid incidents are recorded and copies are available to schools on request.
Equipment
The quality of the equipment is of utmost importance when operating outdoor pursuits. Manor Adventure employs a full time stores manager and assistants to ensure that all equipment is monitored and logged daily and is renewed on a continual basis.
Radio Linked Activities
All instructors carry two way radios linked to a Central Base Station located in the Duty Instructors room which is manned.
4 X 4 Vehicles
Manor Adventure provides 4 x 4 vehicles for rescue and emergency situations.