The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority inspects activity centres and other activity providers on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills (DfES). If the Licensing Authority is satisfied that the provider complies with nationally accepted standards of good practice they issue a licence.

Concerns about the difficulty of identifying safety standards at Adventure Activities Centres or individuals resulted (in 1995) in the Government introducing compulsory inspection and licensing for activity centres providing adventure activities to young people (17 years old and under).

The Licensing Scheme came into force on 16 April 1996 and all those who provide adventure activities that come within scope of the Licensing Regulations 1996 must be licensed.

The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority is an independent, cross-departmental public authority, funded by the Department of Education and Skills, and operating under the written guidance of the Health and Safety Commission. In effect it is an independent watchdog on the delivery of outdoor adventure activities for young people.

The aim of the licensing scheme is to provide assurances to the public about the safety of those activity providers who have been granted a licence. In this way it is hoped that young people can continue to enjoy exciting and stimulating activities outdoors without being exposed to avoidable risks of death or disabling injury.

A licence indicates that the provider has been inspected by the Authority, with particular attention being paid to their safety management systems, and been able to demonstrate compliance with nationally accepted standards of good practice in the delivery of adventure activities to young people.