Contents

Outdoor Recreation Guidelines
Mandatory Procedures
General Supervision Responsibilities
Minimum Impact Code
Risk Management Procedures

The supervision ratios indicated in the guidelines for each activity must be followed. However, at the discretion of the teacher in-charge or the leader, the number of teachers will often need to be higher than in the stated ratio because of:

• the age, experience or capabilities of the students
• the dynamics of the relationships within the group
• the combined experience or expertise of the staff
• the nature of the area in which the activity is to be conducted
• the extended nature of the activity.

For extended wilderness expeditions involving overnight stays, the teacher-in-charge, in consultation with the instructor, must produce a documented risk assessment of the activity prior to the activity being approved by the principal. This assessment will identify major risks and hazards and make judgements as to the likely occurrence of difficulties, their severity and consequences and indicate any actions that are being taken to minimise or reduce risks and hazards.

A checklist of questions appears later in this section to assist principals who have to assess applications.

For all outdoor recreation activities in the wilderness, at least two adult supervisors must accompany students.

Where male and female students participate, the principal should attempt to have both a male and female adult to accompany the group. A parent may be used to the balance gender within the group provided that the principal is satisfied that they have the appropriate qualifications, experience and bona fides. Where an adult other than a teacher accompanies the group to provide instruction or to assist with supervision, a teacher must still take overall responsibility for the supervision of the students.

On overnight trips, supervisory and accommodation arrangements are to be such that no staff member is placed in a position where there is potential for allegations of improper conduct to be made. In particular, sleeping arrangements should not place any adults in a situation where the propriety of their behaviour could be questioned. Likewise, sleeping and supervisory arrangements should minimise the possibility of conduct of a sexual nature between students.

On overnight outdoor recreation activities, teaching staff have supervisory responsibilities for the whole period of the activity.

If the total group undertaking the activity is split into smaller independent sub-groups for any length of time, then each sub-group must conform to all criteria in these procedures, eg. appropriate supervision ratios, presence of a suitable leader, etc. In effect, a single activity could have several leaders under the responsibility of the one teacher-in-charge.

Aquatic activities undertaken during outdoor recreation activities

Special care must be taken in the supervision and choice of site for activities involving aquatic activities. The risk of drowning is the greatest single danger in the outdoors.

Parents must indicate the swimming ability of their children when giving consent to participate in the activity.

If parents indicate students are non swimmers and no flotation devices are available for use by the students, these students must not participate in the swimming or water activity unless close supervision on a 1:1 basis can be guaranteed. Where flotation devices are used, appropriate close supervision needs to be provided by staff who possess swimming and/or rescue qualifications. Principals should refer to the Swimming and Water Safety guidelines in this document for additional advice and information.

Insurance

In exceptional circumstances (eg. for small groups), consideration may be given to the use of private motor vehicles for the transport of students. In such cases, reference must be made to the policy governing the use of private motor vehicles for school activities (section 16.7, issue 8, of the School Manual on Financial Management refers).

Staff members are covered by worker’s compensation if on duty at the time of an accident. All staff undertaking school activities approved by the principal are deemed to be on duty.

There is no automatic insurance cover provided by the NSW Department of Education and Training in respect of injuries to students, non-enrolled children or parents, should an accident occur on an outdoor recreation activity. Personal accident insurance cover is available through normal retail insurance outlets for parents and/or students and non-enrolled children who accompany an outdoor adventure activity.