Camps & excursions guidelines for schools and preschools

3.3 Supervision

The principal/preschool director and teacher-in-charge of a camp or excursion must determine the level of supervision required and ensure that it is maintained for the whole of the time a duty of care is in force. Supervision requirements will be determined by considering:

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  age, development and needs of all students/children
  
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  students/children with disabilities or special needs
  
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  planned student/child learning outcomes
  
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  nature of the activity
  
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  reasonably predictable hazards
  
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  time of day
  
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  location and environment
  
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  supervision level offered by other teachers, supervisors or instructors within the party.
  

3.3.1 Ratios

For all activities included in these guidelines, a minimum ratio of leadership team members to students/children has been determined by DECS in consultation with authoritative bodies and individuals (See Sections 6-8 for ratios by activity). These ratios should be complied with unless:

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  The program is modified to allow for an increase or decrease of supervisors.
  
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  The teacher-in-charge/instructor decides to vary the number of supervisors because of factors such as:
  
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  the local environment and conditions.
  
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  the nature of the group and its composition.
  
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  any perceived risk in the activity.
  
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  The camp or excursion involves adult students, and conditions suggest they are able to take responsibility for their safety. This must be clearly stated on the consent form.
  

For certain higher risk activities, the specified minimum ratios are mandatory. These ratios are clearly indicated as ‘required’.
For activities not included in these guidelines, it is the responsibility of the principal/preschool director and teacher-in-charge/instructor to determine a safe ratio*, considering the following:

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  suggested ratios for similar activities
  
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  reasonably predictable hazards, eg environmental.
  

* The Health and Physical Education Policy and Program Officer should be contacted in the first instance.

3.3.2 Supervision options

Direct

Participating teachers are at the activity location, supervising and/or instructing each student/child involved.

General

Teachers oversee the total activity, which may be occurring in smaller groups.

Indirect

Teachers oversee the activity at a distance which ensures safety but minimises interruption — eg oversight of voluntary worker supervision of an activity at a sports camp. Parents must specifically consent to students under 18 participating in activities involving indirect supervision.

Self-reliant

Teachers oversee the activity by employing very indirect supervision techniques such as:

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  discrete shadowing of the group
  
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  a series of checkpoints that students must visit
  
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  meeting the group from time to time along the way
  
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  predetermined telephone check times.
  

In employing this type of supervision, teachers and principals must be particularly vigilant in addressing the considerations outlined in 3.3, including age and development of students, nature of the activity, possible hazards, location and environment. The frequency and closeness of the supervisory contact with students should be adjusted accordingly. This type of supervision is not normally considered appropriate for students below secondary school age.

Approval for indirect and self-reliant supervision

Self-reliant expeditions and indirect supervision must only occur when the principal and the teacher-in-charge are satisfied that:

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  the age and development of the student group are sufficient
  
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  parent or adult student consent has been received
  
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  planned student learning outcomes require and are suited to this style of supervision
  

and that:

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  students have been well prepared to participate in self-reliant or indirectly
  
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  supervised activities, ie they have received training and have satisfactorily demonstrated the prerequisite skills and knowledge
  
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  the local terrain, environmental conditions and reasonably predictable hazards are within the capabilities of the students
  
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  the style of indirect supervision reflects the degree of readiness (both mental and physical) of the students involved.
  

The type and/or style of supervision may need to change during an activity if there is a change in:

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  the condition of the students, eg fatigue, health care needs, injury
  
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  other factors such as equipment failure or the weather.
  

The teacher-in-charge must be prepared to promptly alter the style of supervision as necessary.
Cross-age tutoring

It is possible for older students to work with younger students/children, but teachers must maintain overall supervision and responsibility for the activity.

3.3.3 Participants’ children

Where teachers, instructors, SSOs, AEWs, ECWs, voluntary workers or adult students wish to take their own children with them on a camp or excursion, unless such children are members of the school/preschool party, the parents must:

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  do so only with the written consent of the principal/preschool director and the teacher-in-charge
  
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  take complete responsibility for the care and supervision of their children
  
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  indemnify DECS against any claims whatsoever in relation to any injury to their children or any other participant arising out of the behaviour or presence of their children.
  

Those deciding whether to allow children of camp or excursion participants to attend should remember that some activities may not be suitable for younger children.

3.3.4 Injured or unwell students/children

If a student/child:

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  requires immediate first aid, other than of a minor nature, or further medical attention: the teacher-in-charge must make all reasonable attempts to notify parents of the injury or illness. If this is impracticable or impossible and the teacher-in-charge believes that circumstances warrant it, registered medical practitioners are authorised (by parents in the consent*) to carry out any necessary medical or surgical treatment. A Form ED 155m (available at: www.decs.sa.gov.au/docs/files/communities/docman/1/ED_155_Accident_Report.pdf.) should be completed as soon as possible.
  

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  is injured or falls ill while on a camp or excursion: she/he must be kept under adult supervision until recovery or arrival of parents to take charge.
  

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  cannot continue at a camp or excursion: the teacher-in-charge must make other arrangements to meet his/her needs as soon as possible.
  

*Statements covering such contingencies should be a key feature of a consent form. (See also Appendix 1) The consent form ED 170 is available at: http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/docs/documents/1/CampsandExcursionsConsent.doc