School trips can be exciting and enriching experiences for students, but they also come with certain risks, especially when it comes to managing travel related health and safety risks.
Whether it’s a short local outing or a longer international tour, youth trips expose both students and staff to various challenges. To help schools better manage these risks, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has developed ISO 31031, a new guide specifically focused on managing risks for youth and school trips with practical solutions. This standard aims to ensure the safety of students and staff, particularly when dealing with young travellers who may be more vulnerable.
The International SOS Foundation, along with industry experts like Joël Maier and Holly Krop, have been involved in developing the standard.
Why ISO 31031 is Important for schools
In recent years, schools have been organising a wider range of school trip experiences, from local excursions to international adventures. While these trips provide valuable learning, they can also expose students to various risks, including health issues, security challenges, accidents, and emergency situations.
At International SOS, 70% of calls to our Assistance Centres from schools in APAC and the Middle East are requests for information and advice, which helps prevent more serious outcomes. The top three concerns reported are gastrointestinal issues, physical injuries, and respiratory diseases, all of which are common problems that can escalate without proper management.
ISO 31031 aims to help schools anticipate and address these types of challenges through clear, actionable guidelines. Educational institutions can use this framework to ensure that they are fully prepared to deal with the risks associated with school trips, minimising the likelihood of health and security risks turning into bigger issues and emergencies during travel.
Key Areas of ISO 31031 for Schools
ISO 31031 focuses on several important aspects that schools need to consider when planning trips. These include:
1. Identifying and assessing risks
The first step in managing risks for school trips is understanding what those risks are. For schools, this could range from health and safety issues, like the gastrointestinal or respiratory concerns often reported to International SOS, to broader risks such as accidents or local security threats.
ISO 31031 encourages schools to assess these risks carefully before planning any trips, factoring in variables like destination, mode of transport, student health conditions, and emergency preparedness. By staying informed through reliable sources, schools can make informed decisions to keep students safe and reduce the need for emergency intervention.
2. Special considerations for young travellers
Students, especially children, have different vulnerabilities than adults, making them less equipped to handle challenges that may arise during travel.
ISO 31031 places a strong emphasis on creating travel risk management policies that are tailored to the needs of minors, ensuring adequate supervision, health precautions, and response plans for various scenarios.
For example, schools should make sure there are enough staff members to always supervise students. They should also plan for things like medical emergencies, food allergies, or other health-related issues that could arise.
3. Being prepared for emergencies
Emergencies can happen at any time, and ISO 31031 emphasises the importance of being ready for them. Schools should have a well-structured plan in place for dealing with medical emergencies, accidents, or other unexpected incidents. For example, having quick access to the International SOS Assistance Centre, medical facilities or a clear evacuation plan can make all the difference when managing serious injuries or illnesses.
4. Clear communication and supervision
Supervision and communication are two critical components of any school trip. Ensuring that trip leaders can stay in constant contact with students and staff, as well as with the school and parents, is key to a smooth trip. ISO 31031 recommends clear communication channels and protocols that allow for quick responses to any issues that arise.
It’s also important to provide trip leaders with all the information they need, from local laws and customs to safety precautions, so they can be fully prepared.
5. ISO31031 training for trip leaders
Leading a school trip involves significant responsibility, especially when dealing with large groups of students in unfamiliar environments. ISO 31031 highlights the importance of providing trip leaders with the necessary training to manage risk, handle emergencies, and ensure students’ safety.
This training should cover essential topics such as first aid, handling difficult behaviour, and understanding the local culture or health risks. Given that many calls to International SOS involve requests for information, trip leaders should be equipped to seek and apply advice as needed to keep students safe.
How International SOS is Helping Schools
Once ISO 31031 is officially released, the International SOS Foundation will offer a special course to help schools understand and apply the new guidelines. This training will provide practical tools and advice for managing risks on both domestic and international trips, with a focus on the unique needs of young travellers.
The course will help schools:
- Understand the key elements of ISO 31031.
- Learn how to incorporate these elements into their trip planning and policies.
- Train staff on how to apply these guidelines in real-world situations.
- Know how to respond in case of an emergency.
ISO 31031 is set to become a vital resource for schools and educational institutions that want to ensure the safety of their students and staff during trips. By following the guidelines in this new standard, schools can better manage health risks, such as gastrointestinal issues, physical injuries, and respiratory diseases, which are some of the most common concerns during school trips.
With the support of International SOS’s training programs, schools will be well-prepared to implement these new practices, ensuring safer, more enjoyable experiences for everyone involved.