Parental Consent for Visits

Overview

Parental consent helps ensure that families understand and support their child’s participation in visits. It supports safeguarding, allows schools to gather and share relevant information, and ensures parents can make informed decisions when needed.

Not all visits require formal written consent, but clear communication with parents is always important.

When Consent Is Required

Written parental consent is required in the following situations:

When Consent Is Not Normally Required

Formal consent is usually not required for:

• Visits that take place during normal school hours; and
• Activities that form part of the standard curriculum

The exception is nursery settings, where consent is required for all visits.

Parents cannot normally withdraw their child from curriculum activities, except in specific areas such as religious education or sex education.

Even where consent is not legally required, informing parents about visits is good practice. It builds trust, reassures families, supports planning and helps prevent misunderstandings.

Good Practice for Visit Leaders

When seeking consent, ensure that it is specific, informed, unambiguous and freely given.

You should:

• Provide clear information about the activity, supervision and potential risks
• Share relevant details about timings, travel arrangements and location
• Obtain up-to-date medical information
• Avoid introducing significant activities that differ from what parents agreed to
• Confirm consent where photographs or video recordings may be used

Electronic Consent

Electronic consent is acceptable if there are security measures in place to ensure it is from the parent/carer. For example, linked to your MIS system or EVOLVE. Consent must be fully informed and not just a payment link.

Links to further reading:

OEAP National Guidance available at https://oeapng.info