Yes the Scouts permit scheme allows for adventurous activity permits to be issued with restrictions. Depending on the specific terrain that you want to make use of this allows leaders to gain experience of taking groups of scouts into the hills in a safe way. 

You will still need to demonstrate an appropriate level of skill to plan walks, navigate, and manage groups of young people safely in the area you wish to use. 

Generally, we would encourage candidates applying for a restricted permit to attend our regularly scheduled “Assessment” or “Assessment Training” weekends. However, we would be happy to discuss with you alternative arrangements, especially in the situation where you did not want to undertake any lightweight camping in remote areas. 

To find out if a restricted permit might be something that would be appropriate for you, please email hillwalking@sesscouts.org.uk with an indication of the area you are interested in and a brief description of your skills and experience. 

The assessment process is different depending on your skills and experience and whether you hold any Mountain Training qualifications. The following subsections provide an indication of the assessment process depending on your situation. 

I hold a relevant Mountain Training Qualification. 

The following process should be followed:
1. Complete an application form
2. Email hillwalking@sesscouts.org.uk with the completed application form and a copy of your hillwalking log or access to your DLOG 
3. An assessor will contact you to arrange a meeting, either in person or by Zoom; we generally have 2 assessors for these meetings to talk though your application. 
4. Assuming a successful meeting a recommendation will be made to your District Commissioner that you should be issued the relevant hillwalking permit.  
5. Granting a permit is the responsibility of the District Commissioner. 

In general, where you hold a current Mountain Training qualification there will be no need for a practical assessment. However, you will need to demonstrate during your meeting with the assessors your understand of the Scout rules for taking young people into the hills (useful links: Hillwalking | Scouts and Policy, Organisation and Rules | Scouts). 

I have many years’ experience leading groups in the hills but do not have any formal qualification. 

The following process should be followed: 
1. Check that your experience and skills are consistent with the relevant Mountain Training qualifications. (see ‘What experience is required for a scout hillwalking permit?’) 
2. Prepare a log of your experience with as much detail as possible. A log typically includes information on the area you were walking in, the date, the duration of the walk, the weather conditions, and a general description of your walk. It is also useful to note if you were leading a group or part of a group being lead. 
3. Email hillwalking@sesscouts.org.uk to arrange a meeting either in person or by Zoom to discuss whether additional training is recommended to refresh your skills.  This training can be provided either by the hillwalking assessors or by external bodies. Attending training offered by the hillwalking assessors will allow you to gain an understanding of the level of skill required, how the assessment will be carried out and also obtain feedback on areas to work on prior to attendance for assessment.
4. Once ready for assessment you should: 
4a. Complete an application form 
4b. Email hillwalking@sesscouts.org.uk with the completed application from and a copy of your hillwalking log. 
4c. Request a place on the next available Assessment weekend (We run Assessment / Assessment Training weekends twice a year generally in April and September). 
4d. Assuming a successful outcome from the Assessment weekend the assessor will make a recommendation to your District Commissioner that you should be issued the relevant hillwalking permit. 
4e. Granting a permit is the responsibility of the District Commissioner. 

The training sessions that the assessor team provides will be geared to the requirements of the attendees and the skills that are specified within the assessment checklist but will tend to have a strong focus on navigational techniques and competency. 

We also include some exercise to do in advance of the weekend that you will need to complete and come prepared to discuss. If you are not sure how to complete the exercises, then simply come with your question as we can address these during the weekend. 

For some of the T2 syllabus such as emergency rope work you may not be as familiar with what is required. We will provide training on the techniques you will need to demonstrate for an assessment during the weekend, but we expect that you will need to practice these before attending an assessment. 

While the “Assessment Training” will cover the syllabus that you will be assessed against most people will need to practice their skills during the time between training and assessment. We strongly recommend that you factor this into your plans for assessment and when selecting an assessment date.