Planning Offsite Activity
Where a programme of study involves a placement, study trip, fieldwork or any other off-site activity, the needs of disabled students must be carefully considered as additional reasonable adjustments may be required.
It is therefore essential that appropriate arrangements are discussed and enabled in good advance time prior to the off-site activity.
Staff are strongly advised to contact the Learning Support Team when planning off-site activities which will include a student with a disability, health difficulty or other additional need.
Key requirements for placements
The staff member responsible for arranging the placement is required to:
- Review LSP/ disability information via e-reporter to identify the required reasonable adjustments.
- Where more information may be required, discuss the reasonable adjustments with the student.
- Ensure that the student has given their consent to disclose information to the placement provider.
- Ensure that the placement is suitable and meets the needs of the student (e.g. distance, accessibility etc.)
- Ensure that the placement provider is advised of any reasonable adjustments the student requires.
- Contact the student within 2 weeks of the start of the placement (and then periodically) to ensure that arrangements are satisfactory and meeting their needs.
- Ensure that appropriate records are maintained which document that the above processes have been followed.
Key requirements for other off-site activities
The trip/ activity organiser is required to:
- Review LSP/ disability information via e-reporter to identify the required reasonable adjustments.
- Meet with student to discuss the nature of the activity and its suitability.
- Ensure that the location/venue is suitable and meets the needs of the student (e.g. distance, accessibility).
- Ensure suitable travel arrangements have been confirmed.
- Contact the Learning Support Team where it is identified that a support worker may be required to accompany a student.
- Where there is potential that the activity may have an increased risk in relation to the disabled student, an individual risk assessment should be completed. *This assessment should be in addition to the standard group risk assessment.
- Ensure that appropriate records are maintained which document that the above processes have been followed.