Toilets

[mightyducks]

DS has got a place at guides, at last, great- however the leader added as a little aside on the phone, 'just be aware we have no toilets so ask her to use the toilet before she comes' . I said it would be okay but now I'm thinking it's for 2 hours, with 10-15 minutes travel time there and back, and I'm not sure it's reasonable to ask her to go? AIBU?

No, that's not acceptable. Not acceptable for adults or for children.

Being in class or a meeting for two hours and being expected to hold is very different - because there is still a loo available if you really need to go.

Sorry obvious typo , DD, I'm glad you'll let me off being a troll , for now .... Harderandharder2breathe

Sorry OP just such a weird situation, I apologise

I would definitely ask the leaders what their contingency plan is if someone can't hold it! 10 is very young still.

It's often hard enough to get kids to drink enough anyway, but definitely don't want them limiting their fluid intake so they won't have to pee in a situation like that where they can't!

Apology accepted harderandharder2breathe, I know it's weird, I really don't know how I feel about it. I realise at school there are long periods where she might not be able to go to the toilet, but there is a toilet available should she become desperate or sick, but to have no access at all I find difficult. But then I really want her to go to Guides..

So a club that caters for 10-14 year old girls ie. The age where they are most likely to start menstruating doesn't have toilet facilities. There must be somewhere available locally that does. How weird. Also what sbout activities that mean hands will need washing? Do they have sinks.

I don't know about sinks

So - if they suddenly need a poo, what are they supposed to do - call the parent to pick them up urgently????

Yeah, what happens if someone suddenly comes down with a poorly tummy or suddenly needs to throw up?

Of course they should have toilets. Someone might be coming down with cystitis, or they've had 2 cups of tea at a friend's house, or need to change sanpro, or simply need the loo before the session ends. It's no use telling someone they "should be able to" manage for 2.5 hours if they can't Also, there should be a disabled toilet. It won't usually be a problem, but that's not the point. Sometimes it will be, and that's why the situation is unacceptable.

I'd have thought this could be against any safeguarding, welfare or health and safety regulations of their organisation. I'd suggest contacting them to find out.

Safety and Safeguarding Policy

Concerns and compliments enquiry

Workplaces and schools are required to have adequate provision of toilets, so shouldn't children's organised activities be the same?

Girlguiding has a whole network, if the leaders can't explain what they do for toilets then you can speak to the district commissioner who can a) raise the concern with the unit involved and b) discuss other units your DD could join if you're not happy with this set up

A long time ago I used to go to Brownies in the Scout Hut. It was used for Guides, Scouts, Cubs and Brownies on different nights. When it was built it was built without toilets. Maybe the Guides meet in such a hut.

If it's a choice of there or nowhere then what can they do?