Health and Safety
Evidence shows that school trips are statistically one of the safest environments for young persons to be. However reasonable and appropriate safety measures are still required.
Health and safety advice and guidance for group organisers
First and foremost group leaders should follow their own employer’s health and safety guidelines. Most schools will have an Educational Visit Co-ordinator (EVC), this person should be the first port of call.
State schools can also call on their Local Authority’s Outdoor Education Advisor (OEA). Schools outside the state sector may also find them a useful and helpful source of health and safety information and guidance, although they may charge for some services. To identify your local advisor and access information go to the Outdoor Education Advisers' Panel website.
The DCSF also produces guidance which will often form the basis of local policies. This is published on TeacherNet, Health and Safety on Visits. The centre piece of their advice the Health and Safety Of Pupils on School Visits (HASPEV) is due to be reviewed and updated in 2009/10.
Schools in Scotland and Wales have access to their own health and safety advice at:
Use of third party suppliers
By using suitable third party suppliers organisers can delegate many of the necessary, but difficult, health and safety checks, protect themselves with important safeguards and free time to concentrate on other elements.
It is imperative to consider carefully the selection of health and safety suppliers, but this need not be a time consuming business. The advice is to use reputable suppliers who can evidence the existence of comprehensive, inspection-based external inspection.
In 2009 the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge was launched. This provides teachers with an easy means of verifying health and safety suppliers. The LOtC Quality Badge demands meets all the requirements of the above advice and guidance. By selecting a LOtC badged provider, teachers can demonstrate their due diligence whilst easily ensuring their supplier has safety management processes in place to manage risk effectively.
Schooltrip.com recommended suppliers
The following companies have demonstrated a long-term commitment to industry leading safety management. All meet the highest requirement