Educational Visits Guidance

Learning outside the classroom is a strong theme that runs through all stages of education in Wales - from the Foundation Phase through to 14-19 education. Visiting new areas and exploring new environments broadens young peoples' horizons and can deepen awareness of their own and others' abilities and needs. Visits can also improve understanding between young people and their leaders and frequently allow for improved working relationships on return to the classroom or centre.

This guidance sets out a common framework for the management of educational visits across all Local Authorities in Wales. In Wales this guidance incorporates and supersedes previous guidance Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits (HASPEV) and the subsequent supplements to HASPEV. With input from all sectors, it reflects good practice in all types of educational visit - no matter who is doing the providing or who the learning.

The Welsh Assembly Government, Health and Safety Executive and Outdoor Education Advisers' Panel (Wales) will work in partnership to keep this guidance up to date with new practices and lessons learned from incidents - in Wales or beyond.

Good practice can take a number of forms: this document outlines one approach and should not be taken as an authoritative interpretation of the law. Others may also be acceptable within the legal framework that underpins the responsibilities associated with educational visits.

The Welsh Assembly Government recognises the contribution of teachers and youth workers across Wales who lead and assist on educational visits every year. This guidance sets out to support them in this invaluable work. While it is intended primarily for use by Local Authorities it will also provide a useful resource for others involved in organising off-site visits for young people.