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ISO31031 – Good Practice guidance for youth travel

Organising a youth or school trip can be an exciting but daunting experience. Ensuring the safety and well-being of young travellers requires careful planning and a robust risk management approach. While developing a comprehensive risk management system might seem overwhelming, the good news is that you don’t have to start from scratch.

ISO 31031: Risk management – Travel services offers valuable guidance specifically tailored to managing travel risks associated with youth and school trips. This international standard provides a practical framework that can help even those with limited resources and experience to:

  • Enhance the safety and well-being of young travellers.
  • Improve the quality and effectiveness of your trip planning.
  • Meet your duty of care obligations.
  • Gain confidence in your ability to manage potential risks.

5 Tips for Engaging with ISO 31031:

  1. Start Small: Don’t feel overwhelmed by the entire standard. Begin by focusing on a few key areas, such as risk identification and communication.
  2. Use the Standard as a Guide, Not a Rigid Checklist: ISO 31031 provides a flexible framework. Adapt the guidance to fit the specific needs and resources of your organisation.
  3. Involve Key Stakeholders: Include teachers, parents, students, and other relevant stakeholders in the review, risk assessment and planning process.
  4. Utilise Available Resources: Many organisations offer resources and training on ISO 31031. Consider attending workshops or seeking guidance from experienced risk management professionals.
  5. Start Simple and Gradually Improve: Begin with a basic risk assessment and gradually incorporate more elements of the standard as your experience and resources grow.

Key Benefits for Schools and Youth Groups:

  • Improved Risk Identification: By systematically identifying potential risks, you can proactively develop strategies to mitigate them.
  • Enhanced Communication: Clear communication with parents, students, and staff is essential for a successful trip. ISO 31031 provides guidance on effective communication strategies.
  • Increased Confidence: By following a structured approach to risk management, you can gain confidence in your ability to ensure the safety and well-being of your travellers.
  • Improved Decision-Making: ISO 31031 provides a framework for making informed decisions about all aspects of the trip, from transportation and accommodation to activity planning and emergency procedures.

What do I do next?

Aligning ISO 31031 may seem like a daunting task, but the benefits far outweigh the effort. By embracing the principles and guidance outlined in this standard, even organisations with limited resources can significantly enhance the safety and success of their youth travel programmes.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help your school or organisation take the first steps.

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