Fires are fundamental to human beings so it’s no surprise that young people and adults are drawn to it. We all enjoy sitting around a fire, mesmerised by the flames, and there is a real sense of satisfaction from lighting one and keeping it going. 
Introducing our young people to fire, and teaching them how to manage a fire safely and responsibly, is becoming a more regular feature of outdoor learning.
In Falkirk Council Children’s Services anyone using fires in schools or ELCCs has to be able to evidence adequate skills, knowledge and experience and this evidence has to be documented on a risk benefit for the activity. The risk benefit and evidence of competence has to be approved by the Headteacher/Manager but it is advised that this is checked over by a Technical Adviser with experience in this area. Contact jane.jackson@falkirk.gov.uk for more information.
Adequate skills and competence can be evidenced in a couple of ways:
- prior experience in another setting or out-with work eg home, Scouts, Guides etc.
- attending training or achieving certification
Staff can access training from external providers but we offer a training and ‘sign off’ process as part of the CPD offer from the Curriculum Support Team.
Training courses will be made available on CPD Manager as soon as we are able to bring staff together. In the meantime schools and ELCCs can request training for staff teams, or groups of staff, and this will be facilitated as quickly as possible – email jane.jackson@falkirk.gov.uk in the first instance.
