Health & safety information

Safety is our top priority at every JCA activity centre. Our on-site teams work hard to create a culture of awareness, responsibility and care — so young people can explore with confidence, and Party Leaders can relax knowing the environment is secure, structured and well supervised.

By keeping our safety expectations high and consistent, we create a better, calmer and more enjoyable setting for adventure.

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Our safety management system

All JCA UK activity centres meet the health and safety requirements needed to operate responsibly. Copies of our public liability insurance are available at each centre reception.

We operate a fully audited Safety Management System, inspected and externally verified. Every staff member is trained to the standards outlined within it and follows our Emergency Procedures Plan as part of their induction.

JCA instructors hold the Health & Safety Executive Appointed Person award and carry a first aid kit for every session. A senior staff member with First Aid at Work qualification is also present at all centres.

Daily equipment and safety checks are completed before groups arrive. Any item showing wear is immediately removed and replaced.

Full risk assessments exist for all JCA activities and can be downloaded from the Party Leader Information section — perfect for planning and securing authorisation from senior leaders.

All accidents or near-misses are formally recorded, reviewed and used to improve future processes.

Read our Safety Management System

Accommodation security

Accommodation styles differ between our centres, but security standards never do.

At every centre:

  • A JCA staff member is on call 24 hours a day
  • Senior staff are on duty late into the evening
  • Night porters patrol the grounds overnight
  • Clear perimeters and secure barriers control site access
  • Most centres operate CCTV for enhanced monitoring

All JCA staff wear a uniform and photo ID badge. Visitors must sign in and wear a visitor badge throughout their stay.

Fire drills, conduct guidance and further safety details are available in your Party Leader Pack and within our downloadable documents.

Allergies, medical conditions & dietary requirements

Trips should be exciting, not worrying. We support groups with allergies, medical needs and dietary requirements — simply share this information with us as early as possible.

Our teams work closely with Party Leaders to ensure every young person is cared for and fully included in the adventure.

Accreditations

We’re proud to meet nationally recognised standards for quality and safety:

  • British Activity Providers Association (BAPA) member
  • Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge holder
  • Providers of safe, structured, high-quality learning experiences

These certifications confirm our commitment to delivering residentials that are safe, inclusive and exceptional.

Training

We take training seriously — for our teams and for the leaders visiting us.
Our staff complete role-specific training in line with OEAP National Guidance, DfE expectations and current best practice.
We also recommend that visiting schools complete:

  • Visit Leader Training
  • Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC) Training

These are available through EVOLVE Advice.

Risk assessments & key documents

You can download all essential documentation, including: