Help and resources

Camps and residentials

Camps and residential trips can create unique opportunities for children and young people to have new experiences, strengthen relationships, and make memories. But they may require you to adapt some of your usual safeguarding policies and practices, and add some additional ones.

When planning a camp or residential trip there are a number of things that an organisation should consider in addition to the usual considerations for trips and outings.

If using an established residential centre, checks should be made that it operates a safeguarding policy and carries out appropriate Criminal Record checks on workers. Organisations providing residential holidays, camps or retreats should also carry out full risk and health and safety assessments.

All workers should:

Undertake safeguarding training.
Receive supervision, to ensure a consistent approach to all work, particularly where several different groups have come together.
Accept the camp's policy and code of conduct and act according to it.
Always know the whereabouts of every child or young person, including monitoring access on and off the site.
Know what action to take if a safeguarding issue is seen or heard.
Know the contact details for the parents, the local authority where they reside and the local police.

Where holidays are being planned with workers from different organisations, it is important that they all use the same safer recruitment process, forms and procedures. One organisation should take responsibility for doing this.

Before a trip

It can be useful to talk to young people about the privacy settings on any social media accounts they have, and the law about taking, storing and distributing images and photos.

You could collaborate with the young people to write an agreement of behaviour so that they have a shared understanding, take ownership and are accountable.

Even after the most detailed planning, things may arise which are unexpected.

If a safeguarding incident happens or anyone has a safeguarding concern, the Safeguarding Lead must be informed as soon as possible so that the appropriate actions can be taken. All workers should know how to contact the Safeguarding Lead.

Sleeping Arrangements

Sleeping arrangements should be considered carefully and communicated to parents and carers in advance. All arrangements should be age-appropriate and provide security for the children and be safe for the workers.

A worker should not share sleeping accommodation with the children they are supervising.

In a mixed-age group of 16- to 18-year-olds from the same or similar educational year, and with no leadership roles, it’s generally appropriate for them to stay together during a residential. However, parents and carers should be informed in advance that 18-year-olds won’t have leadership responsibilities and will follow the same rules as the rest of the group.

18-year-olds should receive guidance on appropriate boundaries. Though legally adults, they must ensure their behaviour doesn’t negatively affect younger group members—such as avoiding alcohol or age-inappropriate content around under-18s. The focus is on fostering a safe, inclusive environment where everyone feels protected and respected.

It would be important to have a conversation with parents and children/young people who may require additional support or consideration regarding sleeping arrangements due to their needs or disability in order to create a safe environment.

Cameras and mobile phones

Think about whether mobile phones should be allowed and any guidelines you want to give about taking photos. Some groups will allow mobile phones at certain times but have them stored by the leaders at all other times.

Agreements need to be made about not taking pictures of members of the group when unclothed, or without someone’s knowledge and only putting pictures on social media with consent especially for those where disclosure of their location or identity might be an issue.

Sexual behaviour between young people

The legal age of consent is 16. If sexual contact occurs between individuals aged 16 or over without coercion, there’s no need to inform statutory authorities or police. However, informing parents or carers may be appropriate, depending on the context and the young person’s wishes and best interests.

If there is an age difference or a developmental difference, the issue of sexual exploitation will be the concern, and this must be reported to the statutory agencies.

Relationships between leaders and non-leaders

In residential settings, safeguarding guidance on positions of trust is crucial—especially in mixed-age groups. A position of trust involves both the influence of an adult or older participant and a legal rule prohibiting sexual activity between them and a child in their care, even if the child is over the age of consent. In England, Northern Ireland, and Wales, this law covers roles such as youth workers, faith leaders, and sports coaches to protect young people from exploitation and abuse.

Where a 17-year-old is in a relationship with an 18-year-old or older participant, and both are attending the same residential event, it is essential that this is disclosed to the Safeguarding Lead so they can assess any potential risks and ensure appropriate boundaries are maintained. The older participant must not be placed in a leadership role over the younger one.

Child on child abuse concerns

Serious concerns arise when one child harms or abuses another. If the situation can be safely contained and supervised so both remain on the trip, do so—but only after a risk assessment and likely parental consent. Seek advice if unsure. Safety and reporting must always take priority over convenience.

Responding to Allegations

Workers should respond to allegations of abuse in accordance with the agreed safeguarding policy and procedures. All allegations of child abuse must be referred to the Safeguarding Lead or their deputy.

If advised that Children’s Services or Police must be contacted, make initial contact with the authority where the camp or residential is held, and also gather details for the child’s home authority. Contact the authorities before speaking with parents.

If a leader is accused of harm, they should be stood down or sent home pending enquiries. This may seem harsh, but if the two-adult rule for under-18s was breached, they may not be able to disprove allegations. Seek advice before acting, ideally before informing the worker. They should only return if the police confirm there is no case to answer.