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, unless it has previously been agreed this is not necessary (which may apply for holidays or trips up to four days as set out in Social Visits (including Overnight Stays) Procedure) that the Home can make the arrangements without seeking approval.

If the Home is permitted to arrange holidays and trips without seeking approval, the social worker should still be informed, preferably in advance or as soon as possible afterwards.

In the Granting Leaves of Absence section of Working Together to Improve School Attendance statutory guidance; it states that generally, the Department for Education does not consider a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation to be an exceptional circumstance.

The School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024 regulation 11 Leave of Absence sets out the circumstances under which an authorised person may grant a pupil leave of absence. Schools maintained by a local authority and special schools not maintained by a local authority can only grant leave of absence in the circumstances laid out in regulation 11.

In the exceptional circumstance that a holiday had been agreed by the authorised person at a school not maintained by a local authority and which is not a special school, the Social Worker’s Manager must also give their approval.

See Types of School (GOV.UK).

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.