Safety Guidelines for Education Outdoors

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External Provider

Overview

External providers may be engaged to deliver specific outdoor or adventure activities or a whole program. They may provide expertise in a certain activity and can form a valuable addition to a program.

Clear and open communication that occurs well in advance of the planned program is the key to an effective and well-informed relationship between a school and an external provider.

Before an external provider is selected to assist with the delivery of a program, a thorough check should be completed by the school to ensure that they are appropriate for the program.

Prior to commencement of a program the school should ensure that the external provider has:

  • a current public liability insurance certificate (minimum $10 million) provided by an APRA approved insurer
  • discussed with the school who has responsibilities for first aid, emergency communications and other specialist equipment
  • demonstrated that staff have the correct qualifications and/or experience for their specific role/s
  • a documented system in place to ensure that students are supervised by either a registered teacher or an approved staff member with a current Working with Children check
  • ensure that supervision of students is overseen at all times by a staff member of other individual that has a completed Working with Children check
  • discussed with the school who will  be responsible for emergency procedures, and that these are well understood prior to the excursion taking place
  • read the relevant sections of the Department of Education Safety Guidelines for Education Outdoors and understand their obligations under these guidelines.

 

Program responsibilities

Schools cannot sign 'Waivers of liability' on behalf of students. Regardless of the role of the external provider, schools retain overall responsiblity for the program and any activities involving students.

Government schools using residential campsites in Victoria as a venue for their camp or excursion are required to use only accredited campsites (PDF - 403Kb).

Accreditation schemes include Australian Camps Association Accreditation and National Accomodation, Recreation & Tourism Accreditation 

Where not directly responsible for the instruction of the activity or assisting the instructor, the teacher present must understand the activity and the environment in which it will be conducted.  This teacher must confer with the designated instructor about the supervisory role and establish areas of responsibility.  If the teacher is not the designated instructor he/she is to act on the advice of the designated instructor on technical safety issues.

Planning support

The following materials are essential to guiding the planning and approval process:

  • Planning - these pages support your decision-making role
  • Forms - these checklists will inform External providers about the responsibilities of principals, teachers and school councils in preparing for outdoor and adventure-based excursions.

More information

For further information and advice, see: