Students Should Take Risks, but Not with Their Lives

Why It Matters

Without clear duty‑of‑care obligations, unsafe student activities risk lives and expose institutions to reputational damage, making rigorous safety standards essential for the higher‑education sector.

Key Takeaways

• Student societies often skip site‑specific risk assessments
• Legal duty of care for students remains ambiguous
• New safety programme targets adventure activities across UK SUs
• Employers value SU experience but demand proven safety standards
• Culture change needed to report incidents transparently

Pulse Analysis

Universities increasingly rely on student unions to deliver extracurricular experiences that boost employability, yet the legal framework leaves a safety vacuum. Unlike employees, students are not covered by a statutory duty of care, meaning liability falls into a gray area. The recent fatality during a wild‑swimming trip underscores how insufficient risk assessments, lack of training, and absent safety equipment can turn a learning opportunity into a tragedy. This gap has prompted policymakers and sector bodies to reconsider how risk is managed in student‑led adventure activities.

The Student Groups Outdoor Pursuits Safety Programme, developed with Organised Fun, sixteen student unions, the NUS and national governing bodies, offers a comprehensive set of recommendations. It addresses competency of student leaders, mandatory site‑specific risk assessments, emergency response protocols, and the provision of fit‑for‑purpose equipment. By aligning SU practices with professional adventure‑sport standards, the programme aims to prevent further deaths and provide a clear audit trail for universities, insurers and prospective students.

For employers, participation in a union that follows these guidelines signals a commitment to safety and responsible leadership—qualities highly prized in the workplace. Institutions that embed the programme can market a safer, more accountable student experience, reducing reputational risk and potential litigation. Ultimately, a cultural shift toward transparent incident reporting and rigorous risk management will protect students, satisfy stakeholder expectations, and preserve the developmental value of extracurricular activities.