What is InTouch?
InTouch is a system for managing communications that need putting in place for all activities in Scouting. It differs from the Home Contact Scheme in that it allows you to put in place the systems that are most effective for your event, rather than following the same specific system for every type of event. As such there is no requirement for a third-party 'Home Contact' every
time you take part in an activity, although this could still be an option that you choose to use.
Weekly meetings
InTouch also recognises that the reasons for having an effective communication system are just as relevant for a weekly meeting as they are for a camp or activity day. Therefore, InTouch is a requirement for all Scouting events, including programmes at your regular meeting place. This doesn't mean lots of work in setting up new systems every week - it should simply need a discussion between leaders to ensure they have thought about all the areas within InTouch. Most groups are likely to find that they are already doing most or everything that is identified.
The adoption of "In Touch" is based on the concept of best practice and reasonably foreseeable risk.
InTouch Resources
These are the resources available to support InTouch.
- FS120075 - Factsheet providing details of InTouch
- POR - Emergency Procedure Rules (chapter 7 (PDF)) & InTouch Rules (9.2, 9.3 & 9.5)
- Emergency Procedures Card (Purple Card) (PDF) - This is available as a printed card from the Scout Information Centre.
- InTouch FAQs - Questions about the "InTouch" system
The In Touch system can be summarised as :
Standard risk assessment and practices apply for all activities and events being held, a "IN Touch" procedure can in most case's be divided into two levels.
Level 1 -
Applies to:
Normal weekly meetings at your usual meeting
place, with members of your own group, where
you can be contacted via mobile or landline.
Activities which replace a normal meeting such as
visit to Moor House, sports hall or attending a Distrct event,
where the participants can change very late and
you are not travelling very far from home and
again you can be contacted
System:
Leaders maintain a list of all group members,
including name, date of birth, address, any
mobile number and parents contact details and
have this to hand wherever you are.
Parents to be given leaders mobile numbers on a
periodic basis. If leaders prefer not to give
mobile numbers out, home numbers should be
provided on a periodic basis, and when holding
meetings/events away from your Scout headquarters,
the phone number of the meeting location should
be provided to parents before departure.
Parents are asked to only contact in an
emergency and to do this to the leader’s mobile
number, or building phone number.
Once every six months, update all contact details.
Level 2 -
Applies to:
Any event involving a night or more away
Events involving multiple groups of Scouts or young people from elsewhere
Events involving more than an hours travel away from home
Any event where you are not easily contactable
System:
All of level one system plus:
A list of all participant details, as above
(including leaders and parents), for the
event is produced and kept to hand
during the event.
Important:
Where appropriate, for example where you feel you will not be contactable (e.g. out of mobile
range, or perhaps on the water all day), a home
contact should still be used. They would be provided with a copy of this list and their contact details given to parents.
This does not affect the nights away notification process which should still be followed as normal.
The In Touch system does not formally require a nominated Home Contact to be appointed for most situations (some
events do still require this). One of the most important benefits of Home Contacts is that we have someone, should an emergency occur, in the Group or District to help support communication during such an emergency. Emergency situations can occur at a regular weekly meeting as
well as on larger events, and hence the Group still needs to be able to place someone into the position of supporting communication during such an emergency.
Summary
Groups should adopt best practices:
All activities/events should have a risk assessment undertaken
Use of a Home Contact who is not related to anyone on the event, were possible, is advisable
Clear communications between Event Leaders and participants/parents aids clear running of an
event
All events of over 24 hours or that involve more than one hours travel (40 miles) should use a 3rd
party home contact in the home area
Emergency procedures should be in accordance with the purple card
You can find out more information about the new system at www.scouts.org.uk/intouch/
In Touch Best Practice advice - District Cubs Leaders briefing June 2010