The EVC Magazine Autumn/Winter 2024 - Magazine - Page 9
Spotlight on ISO 31031:2024
MANAGING RISK FOR
YOUTH AND SCHOOL TRIPS
In October 2024 the ISO (International
Organization for Standardization) released
ISO 31031:2024 Managing risk for youth
and school trips. It has since been
adopted as a British Standard – BS ISO
31031:2024.
This standard is intended for schools, youth
organisations, and commercial providers
who organise trips for young people. It is
relevant for trip organisers, leaders, and
any institutions responsible for overseeing
travel activities for young people, offering
a framework to balance safety with trip
objectives.
How does this fit with current guidance?
It’s important to note that ISO 31031:2024
complements, but does not replace,
existing UK guidance and regulations.
For UK schools and organisations, OEAP
(Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel)
National Guidance remains the primary
reference for compliance with local laws
and practices, providing specif ic advice
tailored to the UK context. ISO 31031:2024
offers an additional layer of international
best practices.
“
it complements but
does not replace
existing UK guidance
The standard defines roles for leaders
and support staff. It also emphasises
the importance of integrating trip risk
management into broader organisational
policies and provides guidelines on
stakeholder engagement, policy
development, and emergency response
planning.
What do schools need to do?
Schools do not need to take any additional
action, as current educational visits
advice already aligns with ISO 31031:2024.
However, those interested can purchase
the standard from the ISO website. OEAP
National Guidance remains free to access
online at oeapng.info
Download the guidance at www.iso.org
Jake Wiid, Educational Visits
Adviser at EVOLVE Advice.
Your Educational Visits Adviser can help you
stay up-to-date with the latest guidance
and support you in understanding how to
apply it to your educational visits.
What does it say?
ISO 31031:2024 includes detailed guidelines
for managing risk for youth and
school trips, including risk assessment,
safeguarding, and emergency planning for
both domestic and international travel. It
aids organisations in organising safe, wellplanned trips by following structured risk
management practices.
WHAT IS AN ISO STANDARD?
These international standards provide a detailed
guide to the best way of doing something, as
agreed by experts in their fields. Standards cover
a wide range of topics, including health and
safety, and help to improve quality and safety
standards across the world. www.iso.org
THE EVC MAGAZINE – AUTUMN/WINTER 2024-25
9
