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You are here: Home: Education and learning: Schools: Services for schools: Traded services

Traded services

Outdoor education

  1. What is the purpose of this document?
    1. The purpose of this document is to:
      1. describe the support services that Calderdale Children and Young People's Services offer to schools;
      2. provide information about the service providers and how the key personnel can be contacted;
      3. explain, in outline, the main terms of the service;
      4. give details of the services to be provided;
      5. identify the ways by which the service will be provided;
      6. identify levels of service provision;
      7. describe service provider obligations and commitments;
      8. establish customer commitments;
      9. describe quality assurance systems and procedures for redress if things go wrong;
      10. describe the basis on which the service price is calculated and the method of payment.
    2. The purpose of this specification is to ensure that both the provider and user are clear about the services to be offered and the ways the service will be delivered. This will help regulate the dealings between the user and the provider by setting out respective obligations relating to performance and payment for the services.
  2. Who are the service providers?
    1. The service provider is Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Children and Young People's Services, Youth Service, Outdoor Education.
    2. This service is available to primary and secondary schools within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale subject to agreement on certain terms and conditions between the school and the Youth Service and to the availability of Youth Service personnel.
    3. If you have any questions about this service or would like further information, please contact:
      For hire of equipment:
      • Address
      • Outdoor Education Stores
        Unit 20 Calderdale Business Park
        Club Lane
        Halifax HX2 8BD
      • Telephone
      • 01422 346659
      • Fax
      • 01422 346659
      For outdoor activities:
      • Name
      • John Hendy, Senior Youth Worker: Outdoor Education
      • Address
      • Mixenden Outdoor Centre
        Clough Lane
        Mixenden
        Halifax HX2 8SH
      • E-mail
      • john.hendy@calderdale.gov.uk
      • Telephone
      • 01422 245006
      • Fax
      • 01422 245006
  3. Service Standards
    1. All core and traded services have agreed to the following principles to ensure that the customer receives a consistently high level of service. This service will:
      1. set standards;
      2. be open and provide full information;
      3. consult and involve;
      4. encourage access and the promotion of choice;
      5. treat all fairly;
      6. put things right when they go wrong;
      7. use resources effectively;
      8. innovate and improve;
      9. work with other providers;
      10. provide user satisfaction.
    2. The following paragraphs explain our service standards and what we are doing to improve them.
      1. Quality awards
        The service, as part of the Children and Young People's Services Directorate, has the IIP Award.
      2. Education expertise
        The Outdoor Education Store has been supplying equipment to schools and youth groups for over 20 years. Mixenden Outdoor Centre was established in 1988 and specialises in work with schools and youth groups.
      3. Qualified staff
        All staff hold the appropriate National Governing Body Award for the activity they lead. Where there is no NGB Award the Centre uses technical advisers' guidance to ensure that high quality and safe standards are maintained. The Centre is licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority for Trekking, Watersports, Climbing and Caving. All instructional staff hold current first aid qualifications. All staff operate within the PAS and Youth Service Supervision Policy to ensure that high standards are maintained and practice is constantly and consistently developed.
      4. Secure identification, CRB checks
        Staff carry Calderdale Council identity cards when operating at all sites other than Mixenden OC and all members of staff have undergone police/CRB disclosure screening.
      5. Responsiveness
        The service will respond to communications within the following maximum times:
        • Telephone: 48 hours
        • E-mail: five working days
        • Fax: two working days
        • Letter: ten working days
      6. Courtesy
        You can expect us to be courteous and helpful at all times. When you write to us, telephone us, or visit our offices, the person you are in contact with will tell you his or her name and, where appropriate, the relevant contact telephone number.
      7. Properly equipped
        All specialist equipment is regularly checked and serviced by trained staff. Technical equipment is kept in service in line with manufacturers recommendations and safety checks follow manufacturers and technical advisers recommendations.
      8. Meets all statutory requirements
        The service fulfils the requirements of Government legislation and guidance (including all relevant safety matters).
      9. Fully insured
        The service has public liability insurance, as part of Calderdale Council.
  4. Performance
    1. The following section shows our level of performance, how we have improved over time and how we compare with our metropolitan neighbours.
    2. The service, as part of the Youth Service, is subject to an annual return to the National Youth Agency which includes regional and national comparisons of performance. This is available on request.
  5. How long will a contract for this service last?
    1. Contracts for provision of outdoor activities can be for one or more sessions, during or outside normal school hours.
    2. Contracts for hire of equipment can be for a period between one day and one term.
  6. How can the contract for this service be changed?
    1. The contract can be changed through negotiation with the appropriate manager.
  7. What services will be provided?
    1. Personal outdoor equipment including boots, waterproof clothing, rucksacks, camping and expedition equipment.
    2. Outdoor activities can include climbing, canoeing and kayaking, caving, teambuilding, mountain biking and other activities by arrangement. These can be provided at our activity base at Mixenden or elsewhere, depending on site suitability.
  8. How will the service be provided?
    1. Equipment is available for collection from the Outdoor Education Stores at Club Lane. Equipment must be returned to the store at the end of the hire period.
    2. Outdoor activities are negotiated with the Senior Youth Worker at Mixenden Outdoor Centre. Group size will be negotiated, based upon the Centre's normal working guidelines and any particular needs of the school and pupils. Instructions will be provided by appropriately qualified instructors.
    3. The Outdoor Centre will provide information for participants and parents to the school.
    4. A contract of agreed responsibilities for the school and the Outdoor Centre will be agreed before the commencement of the programme.
  9. What do the suppliers expect of me as a customer?
    1. Hire equipment should be collected and returned at agreed times and in good condition ready for the next customer.
    2. For outdoor activities the school will ensure that pupils and parents receive the "Information for participants" leaflet and consent forms and return the completed consent forms to Mixenden Outdoor Centre at the agreed time prior to the first session taking place.
    3. The school should provide a named contact to liaise between the school and the centre.
    4. The school will provide an accompanying member of staff for the session who will be responsible for the general behaviour of the group.
    5. The school should ensure that the pupils and any nominated school staff are at the appropriate place at the agreed start time.
  10. How can I be sure of a high quality service?
    1. Outdoor activities are provided by Mixenden Outdoor Centre, which is inspected and licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (Licence number L5227). All instructors hold appropriate qualifications (from National Governing Bodies where available) and current first aid qualifications. Risk assessments are completed for all activities and venues.
    2. All staff personnel responsible for managing and delivering this service are employees of the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale and operate within the Youth Service Staff Development Policy guidelines for managerial supervision and performance appraisal. All staff have been police or CRB checked.
    3. Schools are encouraged to discuss the particular needs and required learning outcomes of the students as individuals and as a group with the instructor involved.
    4. The school will be provided with an evaluation sheet for the sessions or courses and the Senior Youth Worker and Youth Service Manager welcomes any more detailed or specific feedback.
    5. Storekeepers check and maintain all equipment.
  11. Who do I contact if things go wrong?
    1. Any concerns or complaints about the level or quality of service should firstly be made to the officer concerned. If the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction you should contact:
      • Name
      • John Hendy, Senior Youth Worker: Outdoor Education
      • Address
      • Mixenden Outdoor Centre
        Clough Lane
        Mixenden
        Halifax HX2 0BA
      • E-mail
      • john.hendy@calderdale.gov.uk
      • Telephone
      • 01422 245006
      • Fax
      • 01422 245006
    2. If the issue is not resolved you should contact:
    3. If the issue cannot be resolved you should contact:
      • Name
      • Carol Stone, Principal Officer - Young People's Service
      • Address
      • Children and Young People's Services Directorate
        Northgate House
        Halifax HX1 1UN
      • E-mail
      • carol.stone@calderdale.gov.uk
      • Telephone
      • 01422 392495
      • Fax
      • 01422 392506
    4. If the issue cannot be resolved, you may wish to invoke the Council's Complaints procedure .
  12. What is the basis of the service price and what will the service cost?
    1. Hire of equipment is per day of the trip. Additional days to collect and return are not charged for unless equipment is overdue. A charge is made for lost or damaged equipment and for cleaning where required. A full price list is available from the Stores.
    2. Outdoor activities are charged per session per instructor. Additional costs for using other venues are negotiated with the Senior Youth Worker at Mixenden at the time of booking. A standard session at Mixenden is £62 per group.
  13. How will I be charged?
    1. Schools will be invoiced according to standard or agreed prices.

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Page Published: 28/06/2006 : Last Updated: 14/01/2010