The majority of off-site visits are a normal part of educational and other service provision (e.g. youth clubs) and are referred to within this guidance as ‘Routine and Expected Visits’.
The aim of this document is to keep the need for procedures to the minimum possible. When children join an establishment or group, parents should be informed about the range of activities that form part of the programme or curriculum. It should be explained that parents will be kept informed about the general plans for Routine and Expected visits, but that they will not necessarily be informed every time their child goes off-site.
Most establishments will have agreed with participants and parents the need for adequate outdoor clothing and footwear to be provided for all year round off-site activity as a normal part of everyday experience.
For any visit which cannot be classified as Routine and Expected, parents must have been appropriately informed, in order that they will know where participants will be, and have prepared them for the experience.
Further guidance on providing information to parents can be found within the relevant visit section.
