Stewarding Plan

The Stewarding Plan is a key part of the Operations Manual and Event Management Plan. 

It sets out the number of stewards to be deployed, based on:

• The size and configuration of the ground,
• The nature of the event and
• Any other relevant factors.

It will also set out the roles that each steward will undertake and where he or she will be deployed.

When drawing up a Stewarding Plan management should be aware of the possibility that not all stewards will be fully trained or experienced. 

The Stewarding Plan sets out the minimum numbers of stewards to serve in the following roles:

• All supervisory and safety critical roles (whether in static locations or mobile) be filled only by experienced, qualified and competent stewards.
• All other static and mobile roles may be staffed by stewards who are less experienced or have yet to successfully complete their training and assessment.

Experience shows that management should meet the stewarding needs of most events by ensuring the availability of appropriate supervisory staff: for example, the Safety Officer, Deputy Safety Officer, plus Chief Stewards (also known as Senior Stewards or Team Leaders).

These supervisory staff will be supported by general stewards in one or more of the following categories:

• Static stewarding posts: located, for example, at crowd monitoring points, turnstiles, exits, perimeter gates, escalators and other strategic points or areas.
• Mobile stewarding posts: typically a ratio of one steward per 250 of the anticipated attendance (though this should be determined based on the event specific risk assessment).
• Fire stewards (also known as fire marshals): whose roles and responsibilities should be detailed in the Fire Safety Plan
• Specialist stewards: for example: those deployed in areas used by disabled people, or by children, young persons or vulnerable adults; or those trained in conflict resolution.
• Additional stewards: if needed for deployment in particular circumstances or for particular events.

Staffing risk assessment

The Stewarding Plan should be developed following the completion of a staffing risk assessment,  This should take into account:

• the anticipated attendance
• the spectator profile and behavioural record
• the type of event
• the duration and timing of the event
• the safety staff’s level of familiarity with the venue
• the likelihood of a security threat
• any changes to the venue, for example the erection of temporary structures
• any other perceived increases or decreases in risk.

The staffing risk assessment should also take into consideration the likelihood that a certain number of staff may fail to attend, or the possibility that there may be a shortfall in the number of stewards provided by third party contractors.