Employers must prepare and communicate emergency procedures for all off-site visits. Emergency procedures are an essential part of planning a visit. Local Authority establishments should follow their authority’s guidance on emergency planning procedures, which should include a definition of an emergency or serious incident. Independent schools should have their own emergency planning arrangements, as should other organisations involved in planning and organising off-site visits for children and young people. Heads of Establishment and Visit Leaders must ensure that they are familiar with the requirements of their Local Authority or Employer emergency procedures.
Visit Leaders and Visit Assistants have a common law duty to act as a normal caring parent would. They should not hesitate to act in an emergency and to take lifesaving action in an extreme situation.
