Visit Leader
4.5 Parental Consent and Medical Information
A summary of visit types, with recommendations regarding parental consent and medical information, can be found in the matrix in the Toolkit section.
4.6 Preparing Participants
It is good practice to prepare participants so that they understand the aims and nature of the visit. Risk Education is an important aspect of young people’s development.
4.7 Supervision
The Visit Leader has overall responsibility for supervision during a trip. All adults in a supervisory role have a duty of care for the group at all times. There is no break from this responsibility during the trip.
4.8 Remote Supervision
Remote supervision is the term used when the leader is not directly present with participants. Remote supervision comes in varying degrees and is used in a variety of circumstances.
4.9 Unaccompanied Visits
There may be occasions when young people take part in visits without any accompanying leader for the entire trip.
4.10 Exploratory Visit
A Visit Leader needs to be confident that the location and facilities are suitable for their plans.
4.11 Gender of Accompanying Staff
With a mixed gender group it is preferable to have a gender mix of leaders. However there are many circumstances where this is not possible or essential.
4.12 Vetting Accompanying Adults
Parents and other volunteers are often an essential part of supervision ratios. When they assist on visits they are called “accompanying adults”.
4.13 Using an External Provider
The term ‘external provider’ can include museums, local farms, activity providers, residential centres, tour operators, expedition providers etc.
4.14 Inclusion
Where it is reasonably practicable all children should be able to access the opportunity to participate in off-site visits. Visit Leaders should be aware of, and follow their employer’s equality and inclusion arrangements.
