Do I Need a Supervisor for My Event?

One of the most common questions we’re asked is whether a supervisor is needed when hiring inflatables. The answer depends on the type of event, the number of users, and who will be responsible for overseeing play. This page explains when supervision is recommended and when it may be required.

Private parties and small family events

For private hires such as birthday parties at home or in a hired hall, adult supervision is always required. In most cases, this supervision is provided by parents, carers or event organisers. We explain the basic rules at setup, including age suitability and safe use, so you know what to watch for during the hire.

For toddler parties using equipment from our Soft Play Hire range or smaller inflatables, one or two adults supervising nearby is usually sufficient, as long as numbers are sensible and children are closely monitored.

School events, fun days and larger groups

For school fun days, PTA events and larger group hires, supervision becomes more important. These events often involve higher numbers of children, faster rotation on inflatables, and a wider age range. In these situations, organisers often choose to add our Staff Supervisors service to help manage queues and ensure rules are followed.

This is particularly useful when hiring popular items such as obstacle courses, larger bouncy castles or multiple inflatables set up at the same time.

Council and public events

For council-run and public events, supervision is strongly recommended and may be required as part of the event’s risk assessment. Public events usually involve unknown users, mixed age groups and continuous use throughout the day.

Our Staff Supervisors help keep play organised, limit numbers on inflatables, and reduce the pressure on council staff or volunteers. This support is commonly used alongside equipment hired for parks events and community fun days.

What our supervisors do

Supervisors do not replace parental responsibility, but they play an important role in keeping activities running smoothly. They explain rules clearly, manage queues, help rotate users fairly and stop unsafe behaviour before it becomes a problem.

This service is often paired with larger setups, football inflatables, or events where inflatables are operating for long periods.

Our advice

If you are unsure whether your event would benefit from a supervisor, we’re happy to advise. Factors such as event size, age range, venue type and duration all make a difference. Adding supervision can make events easier to manage and gives organisers extra peace of mind.

If you’d like to discuss supervision options or check availability, please visit our Contact Us page or take a look at our FAQs.