Briefing: ISO 31031:2024 Managing risk for youth and school trips
In October 2024 the ISO released the ISO 31031:2024 standard on Managing risk for youth and school trips. We have looked at this and provided a short overview for schools.
Who is the ISO, and why is it important?
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) develops global standards to ensure industry quality, safety, and consistency. It provides a common framework that helps organisations improve processes, manage risks, and comply with regulations.
What is the purpose of ISO 31031:2024?
ISO 31031:2024 provides guidance on managing risks associated with youth and school trips. It covers risk management strategies for both domestic and international travel, focusing on ensuring the safety and well-being of children and young adults. The standard is designed to assist organisations in planning, executing, and evaluating trips with a structured approach to risk assessment, safeguarding, and emergency response.
Who is the target audience?
The target audience includes educational institutions (e.g., schools, colleges, and universities), youth organisations (e.g., scouts, sports clubs), faith-based groups, and commercial providers involved in organising trips for children and young people. It is relevant for trip organisers, leaders, and institutions responsible for planning, managing, and delivering trips for young people.
What are the key takeaways?
ISO 31031 promotes a structured risk management approach for youth trips, ensuring trip objectives are balanced with safety and safeguarding measures.
The standard emphasises dynamic risk assessments, safeguarding protocols, and clear roles and responsibilities for trip leaders and support personnel.
Organisations must integrate trip risk management within their broader operational and risk management policies.
It provides guidelines for establishing a trip risk management framework, including stakeholder engagement, policy development, and emergency response planning.
How does this fit into the current guidance and regulatory landscape?
ISO 31031:2024 does not replace current guidance and regulations in the UK.
ISO 31031:2024, is an international standard offering a broader framework for managing risks in youth and school trips, applicable across various global contexts. It can complement the OEAP National Guidance by aligning international best practices with local requirements but does not supersede or replace it.
For organisations operating in the UK, OEAP National Guidance remains the primary reference to ensure compliance with national laws and policies.
The OEAP (Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel) National Guidance is tailored specifically for the UK context, providing detailed, practical advice and legal considerations for outdoor learning and educational visits in line with UK regulations and standards.
As a school what do I need to do?
The short answer to this is nothing. As advisers we have reviewed the ISO 31031:2024 and have ensured the standards match that of the advice we currently give schools.
If I wanted to where can I purchase a copy?
A copy of ISO 31031:2024 can be purchased from the official ISO website at https://www.iso.org/standard/54205.html, although the OEAP National Guidance is free to access at oeapng.info