3.3 Risk Assessment

Overview

Risk assessment is an essential part of planning educational visits. It helps leaders identify potential hazards, decide how to manage risks effectively as a team and ensure that activities remain safe while still providing valuable learning experiences.

Risk assessment should be viewed as an ongoing process, rather than simply completing a form. Health and safety legislation requires that the significant findings of this process are recorded, but it does not prescribe a specific format.

What matters most is that information about hazards and control measures is clear, accessible and useful to those leading the visit.

Key Principles

Effective risk management should support safe and enjoyable learning experiences.

• Risk assessment should lead to practical arrangements, not unnecessary paperwork
• Planning should begin early and be reviewed as circumstances change
• Agreed arrangements should be shared with staff and, where appropriate, participants
• Generic procedures can support planning, but every visit requires consideration of its specific circumstances

Competent leadership and consistent implementation of agreed safety measures are central to managing risks successfully during educational visits.

The Risk Assessment Process

Effective risk assessment usually follows a structured approach:

• Identify the benefits and purpose of the activity
• Identify significant hazards, including behaviour-related risks
• Evaluate the likelihood and potential severity of harm (the ‘risk’)
• Plan effective control measures to reduce risks as far as reasonably practicable
• Use professional judgement to decide whether the remaining risks are acceptable
• Record the significant findings and communicate/monitor as appropriate
• Review effectiveness

Recording Risk Assessments

Risk assessment findings may be recorded in several ways, including:

• Event-specific plans recorded on EVOLVE
• Completed risk assessment templates
• Planning notes or diagrams
• Supporting documents such as itineraries, parent letters or equipment lists

The chosen format should support effective planning and communication within the visit leadership team.