Guidelines Adopted on 01/2/2020 – Updated on 11/07/2023 and will be reviewed Q2 2026 – Revision 1.3
1. Reason for Guidelines
These guidelines are to support safe care of children, young people and adults during Residential Trips organised by Revive Church, and minimize risk to all parties through clear boundaries, safeguarding and procedures.
2. Who Should Read this Guidance?
All workers, paid or voluntary who are organising, attending or volunteering on the residential trip organised, or that involves Revive Church, should read this guidance.
3. Specific Guidelines for Trip Leaders
a) Trip Details
The name of the camp/ centre/residence, its location, dates of the activity and the church/ denomination or organisation responsible should be clear in all communications.
b) Safeguarding Policy Ownership
- For all trips organised by Revive Church, Revive’s Safeguarding Policy will apply.
- Every residential must have a Safeguarding Lead responsible for all safeguarding on the trip. You must ensure that this individual is suitable for the role and ensure that their identity is communicated to the team. All safeguarding concerns must be reported to them.
- For multi-organisation trips, it is necessary to establish, and agree, whose safeguarding policy is to be used, as well as identify the Safeguarding Lead for the trip (which may not be a Revive team member/volunteer) and ensure that this is communicated to your team. If a partner’s Safeguarding Policy is to be used, you must get a copy of it for your reference and review that it is suitable. If you are satisfied it complies with Revive’s standards, then you can work under it. If in doubt, review with Revive’s Safeguarding Co-ordinator.
- If there are any safeguarding allegations involving a child, vulnerable adult, or staff / volunteer from Revive then you need to notify one of Revive’s church leaders and the Revive Safeguarding Coordinator, in a confidential manner.
c) Workers at the residential
It is necessary to satisfy yourself that all the workers at the residential have been safely recruited and have all been trained to the same standards, including safeguarding, to ensure that children and treated fairly and consistently.
d) First Aid
- There should be at least one worker present onsite who holds a recognised and valid First Aid Certificate. If the trip is not a Revive led trip, you must identify who this person(s) is and notify your team. If you are the Trip Leader you must ensure that the person chosen is suitably qualified. The First Aider should ensure that:
- First Aid boxes are available and their location known.
- The First Aid kit contains those items recommended by St. John Ambulance.
- Written records are made of all accidents and injuries.
- They have the name and telephone number of the local GP practice to hand, and the distance and location of the nearest hospital with an Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department.
- They have access to medical consent forms for all those on the camp.
- Any medication being stored on a child’s behalf is kept securely and is always available to the child
e) Food Health & Hygiene
Check those responsible for the food preparation possess the Basic Food Hygiene Certificate and are aware of food safety (preparation, handling and storage, disposal of waste etc.).
f) Sleeping Arrangements
It is your responsibility to check that these arrangements are appropriate, making adjustments as necessary and make a written note of them.
g) Insurance
It is necessary to check that there is adequate insurance to cover for all eventualities such as personal accident (e.g. death or disablement), lost or stolen property and personal liability. If the trip is at non-Revive venue i.e. an activity centre, where appropriate, it is also important to establish that there is appropriate Public Liability Insurance.
h) Risk Assessments
You must ensure that a risk assessment is carried our for the whole duration of the event. In the event that there are multiple team leads, you must establish who has taken responsibility for this and ensure that you know the contents, and where it is kept
4. General Guidance for all volunteers
a) General Safety
- Parental consent is essential for the residential along with a health information form for every child. https://twww.revivechurch.uk/trips-visits-consent-children-young-people/
- The whereabouts of all children and young people attending should be known at all times
- A logbook of all activities should be kept and any significant incidents recorded in the logbook
b) Electrical Equipment
- Any electrical equipment to be used must have a valid PAT test.
- Children should be dissuaded from bringing electrical goods, due to the potential fire risk unless a PAT testing service is available
c) Fire Safety
The venue should have a fire safety procedure – make sure that you are familiar with it and know what is required of you in an emergency to keep you and others safe.
d) Photographs
Ensure that parental permission is acquired for any photos. Whilst the responsibility of obtaining this comes under the Trip Leader, it is important that all team are aware of who does, and does not, have consent.
e) Driving to and from the residential
Driving should be restricted to those who have gone through the organisation’s recruitment procedures for workers.
- All drivers must have read the Safeguarding policy of the organisation and agree to abide by it.
- Parents / carers should be asked to sign a Transportation Consent Form – https://twww.revivechurch.uk/transportation-consent-children-young-people/
- The driver should hold a full driving licence; the vehicle must be adequately insured and the vehicle road worthy
- Pick up and drop of times and locations need to be communicated to parents in writing to avoid confusion.
5. Resources
This section lists resources including links to related church policy documents and other related documents.
- Church documents such as policies, guidelines, working practices, contracts, etc. The most up to date information is found on the The Way We Work – https://twww.revivechurch.uk
- Contact information for relevant subject matter experts Thirtyone:eight (https://thirtyoneeight.org/)