Posted By Mitch PS picked this up in the Guardian this morning not the Express or Mail!

Posted By Pete48 As always in politics; some good, some not so good. The announcement is actually about HMG plans for safeguarding children and covers the whole spectrum of child care. The section on external visits is but one paragraph in 82 pages of closely spaced type and merely says that it will build on existing guidance for the safe management of such visits. It claims the plan is going to deliver a reduced burden on teachers with regard to risk assessment. The plan addresses safety issues in all areas of child safety and taken overall looks to be a good planning document with loads of commitment. But and there always ia a but isn't there? The first point to note is that the revised guidance for school trips will not be available until May 2008. It will require staff re-training so that is another drain on resource and the impact will not be felt for quite while and probably too late for this years summer activities. The second is that without that guidance we cannot know what the changes will be. The plan implies that the process will be simplified rather than any "lowering" of the bar with regard to what children may or may not be allowed to do and what levels/ratios of supervision may be required. So, it may be nothing more than guidance on simple and sensible risk assessment and remove some of the sillier requirements to assess third party establishments. Whilst I welcome the fact that HMG has published this plan as good news for children, their parents and those who work with children; it is a touch early for me to start celebrating just yet.