EVC Magazine Autumn 2025_digital - Flipbook - Page 32
Advisory Services
How to get the most from
your Educational Visits Adviser
Jake Wiid from EVOLVE Advice explains how Educational Visits Advisers provide
essential competence and shows you how to get the best from your adviser
Under health and safety legislation, every employer, including schools and trusts, must appoint a ‘competent person’
to assist with compliance and risk management, which also covers educational visits. It’s rare for schools to have this
expertise in-house, so it is considered good practice to appoint an external Educational Visits Adviser (sometimes called
an Outdoor Education Adviser) to support you.
Whether you engage an individual adviser or an
advisory service such as EVOLVE Advice, you’re
investing in their knowledge, skills and experience;
so how do you make it work for you?
WHAT DO ADVISERS ACTUALLY DO?
Advisers provide advice based on legislation and
national guidance; support you with planning your
trips; review risk assessments and visit plans; and in
some cases provide final sign-off for complex visits,
giving you additional peace of mind.
Some advisers offer professional training for EVCs
and Visit Leaders, and support schools with their
visit-management systems, helping to streamline
processes and ensure effective monitoring, planning
and communication.
WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?
For the very best experience, you should expect quick
responses to your queries; supportive but critical
input on planning and risk management; high-quality
training for you and your visit team; and regular
check-ins to ensure you’re happy with the service.
FIVE INSIDER TIPS ON GETTING
MAXIMUM VALUE FROM YOUR ADVISERS
01
02
03
04
05
Use us! You’re paying for a service – either directly
or through your Trust, Group or LA – and advice is
unlimited; so, if you need help, don’t be shy.
Talk to us early on. Explore and sense-check your
options before committing to a plan. We’ll help you
find solutions to problems, or we’ll know someone
who can.
Don’t suffer in silence. Visit-management systems
are brilliant but can be frustrating if they’re not set
up well or your staff need training. We can help to
find and fix your issues.
We’re technical experts too. Draw on our
technical knowledge and experience in areas
like mountaineering, snowsports, water-based
activities and health and safety.
Take advantage of extra benefits such as template
resources, free CPD and practical webinars, and
grants, offers and discounts from providers. If there’s
something that would help you – tell us!
FURTHER READING
How do I choose an Educational Visits Adviser →evolveadvice.co.uk/how-do-i-choose-an-adviser
OEAP National Guidance 3.4d Outdoor Education Adviser →oeapng.info
HSE: Using a health and safety consultant or provider →hse.gov.uk/consultant/get-help.htm
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Land and Wave School Trips
"There is no one-size-fits-all approach to
educational visits advice – choose the
right adviser for you"
