Holidays and School Trips

Where there is a proposal for a child to go on holiday or a school trip in the UK, the relevant social worker should give approval.

Children must not be taken on holiday during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances that would be approved by the social worker's manager for the child and the Registered Manager (Note that headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are 'exceptional circumstances').

Where there is a proposal for child to go on holiday or school trip abroad, the child's social worker must always give approval, having consulted the child's parents.

Where the parents’ consent, their consent must be obtained in writing. Where parental consent is not given, the social worker may need to seek legal advice as to whether the holiday can go ahead.

If the child requires a passport, the social worker should be consulted on the procedures within the local authority for obtaining a passport.

Where the holiday or school trip will interrupt normal contact arrangements between the child and their family and significant others, alternative suitable arrangements should be given consideration. This should be in consultation with the social worker and relevant others and consistent with the child's Care Plan.

See Contact with Parents/Carers, Siblings and Others Procedure.