1.4.3 Holidays and Schools Trips

Contents

1. Holidays or School Trips in the UK
2. Holidays or School Trips Outside the UK
3. Annual Holiday

1. Holidays or School Trips in the UK

Where there is a proposal for a child to go on holiday or a school trip in the UK, the relevant social worker should give approval, unless it has previously been agreed this is not necessary (which may apply for holidays or trips up to four days as set out in Overnight Stays and Contact with Relatives, Friends and Visitors Procedure - Section 2, Arrangements by the Home) that the home can make the arrangements without seeking approval.

If the home is permitted to arrange holidays and trips without seeking approval, the social worker should still be informed, preferably in advance or as soon as possible afterwards.

Where the holiday or school trip will interrupt contact arrangements between the child and parents or siblings, consideration should also be given to making alternative suitable arrangements.

2. Holidays or School Trips Outside the UK

Where there is a proposal for child to go on holiday or school trip abroad, the child's social worker must always give approval, having consulted the child's parents.

Where the parents consent, their consent must be obtained in writing. Where parental consent is not given, the social worker may need to seek legal advice as to whether the holiday can go ahead. 

If the child requires a Passport, the social worker should be consulted on the procedures within the local authority for it.

Where the holiday or school trip will interrupt contact arrangements between the child and parents or siblings, consideration should also be given to making alternative suitable arrangements.

3. Annual Holiday

For Holidays or School Trips in the UK also see Section 1, Holidays or School Trips in the UK.

For Holidays or School Trips outside the UK also see Section 2, Holidays or School Trips Outside the UK

For detailed procedures on the planning of activities, holidays and trips see Activities and Transporting Children Procedure

It is our intention to provide each child an annual holiday of one week per holiday year. This holiday would normally be during school holiday periods so as not to interfere with the child/young person's education. The holiday would normally be located within the United Kingdom and accommodation would be arranged and fully assessed for suitability prior to the holiday.

Risk Assessments and Approval

A full Holiday Risk Assessment for the holiday in its entirety must be completed prior to any booking or reservation being made. An assessment must be approved by the social worker and parents by using the appropriate Consent forms. Final approval will be needed from the Line Manager for the Resource. Holidays abroad also require a thorough risk assessment and full cooperation from the Placing Authority. Activities that take place during the holiday that involve higher risk specialized sports etc, must only be supervised by qualified staff and personnel. E.g. water sports

Holiday Suitability

When booking a holiday consideration should be made on timescales, as some admissions don't have clear discharge dates, therefore booking six months in advance for an admission that may not be in placement when the holiday is planned for would not be appropriate. The type of holiday booked should meet the needs of the child/young person that would normally be placed within the home. This would enable an early booking of a holiday whether or not a child/young person is in placement. In homes where the unit has a male and female combination a holiday suitable for both should be considered. Both residents would not go on the same holiday together unless this is identified within the child's Placement Plan. In some homes it may not be appropriate for both residents to go on the same holiday at the same time therefore advanced planning and arrangements must be made to enable this to happen.

Financial Arrangements

A cash request needs to be completed prior to the holiday taking place. This needs to have a clear breakdown of allocated amounts for each area of the holiday needs e.g. activities, sustenance and travel. This cash request is to be authorised by the Manager of the resource and funds will be given to the staff members involved prior to departure.

Recording Arrangements

Staff supervising children's holidays need to maintain the young person's records to the same standard of detail and accuracy as they do within the resources. If children become Absent or there are any accidents or incidents, appropriate records must be completed (See following chapters: Absent Children Procedure or Notifiable Events Procedure)

Staff Arrangements and Supervision

In order that this policy may be effective, we have to rely on workers donating some of their own time.

Holiday Arrangements
Pay Entitlement	Normal rate
One staff member attending	14 hours per day plus all sleep-ins
Two staff members attending	12 hours per day plus alternate sleep-ins
Three staff members attending	8 hours per day plus one in three sleep-ins

Transport Arrangements

The Activities and Transporting Children Procedure must also be read.

All transport required to get to and from the destination and during the holiday will be provided using the unit pool cars. The person responsible for the general maintenance and upkeep of the car must ensure that the car is prepared for the journey.

Clothing and Laundry

Staff should ensure that the children take appropriate and sufficient clothing for the entire holiday and that appropriate laundry services are available if required.

Premature Termination or End to the Holiday

The staff may terminate the holiday early due to the following reasons: -

1. If staff, the public or child/young people are placed at high risk due to the child's behaviour.
2. If the child/young person absconds and fails to return for more than 24 hours staff must remain on the holiday for the holiday period however should the child/young person return the holiday might be terminated due to the risk of the child/young person absconding again.
3. If the child/young person becomes ill or has a serious accident preventing the holiday continuing to the end of the planned duration.

Insurance

A child's holiday is insured fully under the company insurance policy for any holiday within the United Kingdom. Holidays outside of the United Kingdom may require additional insurance for travel.

A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) application form needs to be completed and submitted to The Post Office prior to the holiday taking place if travelling outside of the United Kingdom.

Cancellation of the Holiday

It may be necessary in extreme occasions to cancel a planned holiday, in order to cancel a holiday the procedures required by the travel agent or resort will apply. Every attempt must be made to avoid cancellation and if for any reason the holiday cannot be used by one home it should be made available to other homes for use.

End