Permit Training & Assessment

Terrain 0 meets ALL of the following:

• is below 500 metres above sea level; and
• is within 30 minutes travelling time from a road which can take an ordinary road-going
  ambulance or a building which is occupied (such as a farm) or another means of summoning
  help (such as a telephone box); and
• Contains no element of mountainous steep ground (routes or areas where the average person
  would need to regularly use their hands at least for balance if not for actual progress. This
  does not stop people from using their hands as an aid to confidence.)

or:

• Is a road, or path adjacent to a road, on which you would expect to see traffic.

Terrain 1 meets ANY of the following:

• is below 800 metres but more than 500 metres above sea level or;
• is more than 30 minutes but less than three hours travelling time from a road which can take
  an ordinary road-going ambulance or a building which is occupied (such as a farm) or
  another means of calling help (such as a telephone box).

and

• contains no element of mountainous steep ground (routes or areas where the average person
  would need to regularly use their hands at least for balance if not for actual progress. This
  does not stop people from using their hands as an aid to confidence.)

and

• Is not a road, or path adjacent to a road, on which you would expect to see traffic.

and

• Is not defined as Terrain 2

Terrain 2 meets ALL of the following:

• is over 800 metres above sea level or;
• lies more than three hours travelling time from a road which can take an ordinary road-going
  ambulance or a building which is occupied (such as a farm) or another means of calling help
  (such as a telephone box), or:
• contains an element of mountainous steep ground (routes or areas where the average person
  would need to regularly use their hands at least for balance if not for actual progress. This
  excludes climbing activities but may include areas where ropes are used for confidence and
  security.)

and

• Is not a road, or path adjacent to a road, on which you would expect to see traffic

• Class C – safe inland waters which are less than 100m wide where flow causes little effect
  (including swimming pools);
• Class B1 – sheltered inland waters and other sheltered water where currents and tides create
  no real danger;
• Class B2 – the sea up to one mile from the shore, but excluding more dangerous waters close
  inshore; more sheltered parts of estuaries; large inland lakes and lochs; inland waters British
  Canoe Union Grade 2;
• Class B3 – the sea up to three miles from the shore, but excluding more dangerous waters
  close inshore; busy commercial ports, exposed parts of estuaries; inland waters British Canoe
  Union Grade 3;
• Class A – open sea more than three miles from the shore, and other dangerous waters close
  inshore; inland waters British Canoe Union Grade 4 and above.

2. Gain experience leading groups in the environment you want a permit for. We provide opportunities to help out on most of our sessions. We provide mentoring for prospective permit holders.

3. Gain a technical assessment from a County Assessor. This may be a formal course or an informal assessment carried out while you are helping run sessions. Our assessors are friendly and will advise where you are at on your journey. We often recommend restricted permits initially to get you going with a small group or in a specific venue while you gain experience. When you or your assessor mentor thinks you are ready we will revise the restrictions

4. The technical recommendation from an assessor is forwarded to your District (or County) commissioner who issues the permit and records it on Compass.

That’s not the end though, once you have a permit – get out and lead sessions. Broaden your experience and work with as many other permit holders as you can. Just like learning a new skill there are many progression routes available in the permit scheme leading to becoming an assessor.

A handy guide to the scheme is available here

Notts Scouts has a bursary fund to help you pay for training and assessments leading to assessor status. Ask us for more details.