Parents

• The group leader should tell parents how they can help prepare their child for the excursion. Parents should also be asked to agree the arrangements for sending a participant home early and, if necessary, who will meet the cost.

• Parents will need to give the group leader information about their child’s emotional, psychological and physical health which might be relevant to the visit.

• The group leader should discuss the participant's individual needs with the parents. Parents should be asked to supply:

  • details of medical conditions.

  • emergency contact numbers.

  • the participant’s GPs name, address and phone number.

  • parental permission if the participant needs to administer their own medication or agreement for a volunteer leader to administer - parents should provide advice/information to assist with the preparation of an emergency plan.

  • information on any allergies/phobias.

  • information on any special dietary requirements.

Parents should be encouraged to attend a briefing meeting where written details of the proposed excursion should also be provided. The information given should be sufficiently detailed to ensure that parents can make an informed choice about participation.

Parents should be advised that they will be given a link to complete a parental consent form. General issues to consider include:

• • any allergies/phobias the participant may have.

  • any medication the participant is taking (if so, what the dosage is and who is to administer it).

  • whether the participant administers their own medication.

  • any special/medical dietary requirements.

  • whether the participant suffers from travel sickness.

  • any other information which the parent thinks should be known.

  • the parental home and daytime phone numbers and addresses.

  • an alternative contact, with their phone number and address.

Group leaders should to be able to keep parents updated on the group's arrival and news from during their stay.