How Does Travel Risk Management (TRM) Help Protect Students Abroad?

Travel Risk Management protects students when they travel abroad by providing a structure for schools to anticipate risks, prepare staff and students and respond quickly to emergencies. To better manage these risks, schools can leverage on ISO 31031, which presents a guidance framework to support safer student travel during school trips and exchange programs.

Why is Travel Risk Management Important for Schools? 

In a global risk landscape of rising geopolitical instability, health crises and extreme weather event, a robust TRM program allows schools to fulfil its Duty of Care when sending its students abroad.

Educational travel plays an important role in student development, offering exposure to new cultures, environments, and perspectives. However, these benefits come with added responsibility for schools to ensure that trips are planned and managed with safety in mind.

International SOS data shows that 70% of calls to our Assistance Centers from schools in APAC and the Middle East are requests for information and advice, demonstrating that timely guidance can prevent more serious incidents before they occur. The top concerns reported are gastrointestinal issues, physical injuries, and respiratory diseases, all of which are common problems that can escalate without proper management.

By equipping participants and leaders with guidance on medical, emergency response, security, and travel logistics, schools can reduce the impact of disruptive events and safeguard student wellbeing.

Key Highlights of ISO 31031 for Schools 

ISO 31031 – Managing Travel Risks – Guidance for Organizations’ focuses on several important aspects that schools need to consider when planning trips, including identifying and assessing risks, making special considerations for young travelers, being prepared for emergencies, having clear communication and supervision, and undergoing ISO 31031 training. 

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 travelers

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.

For example, schools should make sure there are enough staff members to always supervise students. They should also plan for things such as 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 emphasizes 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 Center, or a clear medical evacuation plan can make all the difference when managing serious injuries or illnesses.

4. Clear communication and supervision

ISO 31031 recommends clear communication channels and protocols that enable quick responses to issues that arise.

Ensuring that trip leaders can stay in constant contact with students, staff, the school, and parents is key to a smooth trip.  

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, managing difficult behavior, and understanding local culture and 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. 

What to consider when planning school trips?

• Identifying and assess health, safety, and security risks 
• Account for the specific needs and vulnerabilities of young travelers 
• Prepare emergency response and contingency plans
• Ensure clear communication, defined roles and proper supervision 
• Train trip leaders using ISO 31031 guidance and best practices

Measuring the Success of a School TRM Program  

The success of a TRM program for schools lies in how effectively it protects students and staff while ensuring learning trips can continue safely. Beyond having policies in place, schools should regularly assess whether their TRM framework is working in practice. This includes reviewing both measurable data and feedback from trip leaders, students, and parents. 

To evaluate effectiveness, schools can track:

• Incident response times: how quickly students and staff receive support during emergencies 
• Number of avoided or reduced disruptions: effectiveness of risk monitoring, alerts, and early planning  
• Student, staff, and parent confidence: whether participants feel safe, supported, and prepared to travel  
• Compliance and audit results: alignment with Duty of Care and ISO 31031 standards 
• Cost and impact reduction: fewer medical incidents, cancellations, or disruptions due to proactive risk management

Ultimately, effective school TRM programs are continuously improving. They use both data and real-world feedback to refine processes and adapt to changing travel risks, ensuring safer educational travel experiences.