Where there's an element of adventure there will always be an element of risk. Our job is to make sure the risks are assessed, minimised and managed by the right people.
Overseas project leaders and UK staff
Most recently demonstrated when we successfully evacuated every single Leaper from across the globe when COVID-19 struck, back in March 2020. All our teams and volunteers are managed and supported by both our overseas project leaders and UK staff - who are on duty 24/7 should you need
them in an emergency.
Post departure we touch base with Leapers and provide updates for
parents on arrival and throughout. But please note parents can communicate with us any time and we are only responsible for volunteers during the scheduled programme dates/times. We are not responsible for volunteers once the programme has ended and volunteers are no longer under The Leap's direct care and supervision.
Leaders live with the team
Our leaders live in situ. They're right there, constantly managing risk and resolving issues as they arise to ensure our programmes run smoothly and as safely as possible.
Induction briefings
All our volunteers receive safety induction briefings, at each location, which will cover local travel advice, including safety and health advice.
Monitored and reviewed each year, we carry out comprehensive risk assessments and safety audits following the highest standards, guidelines and industry/government practice expressed by: BS8848 Trading Standards, The Year Out Group and the Gap Year Association.
Our risk assessments examine and ensure that the projects are well managed, responsible and sustainable, the leaders are competent, the accommodation secure and all vehicles used are road-worthy.
Medical evacuation access and emergency communications implemented by professional medics, counsellors and advisors ensure emergencies are swiftly resolved.
Risk assessments and safety audits are available on request.
Once you dissect the small print, you'll see that approx. 65% of your programme cost is spent in-country, to deliver high-quality full-board accommodation, risk-assessed transport and round-the-clock service.
Full-board accommodation means you’ll live with your team and get three (or very occasionally two) meals a day of varied, plentiful and nutritious food and drinking water is always provided (unbelievably this isn’t an industry standard).
Risk-assessed transport means vehicles that have passed our safety audit will transfer you between each leg of the programme, including airports. You will not be expected to catch local transport, with the inherent risks and additional costs.
We're a founding member of the Year Out Group, the first British company to be accredited by the American Gap Year Association, and a partner of Foreign Office’s 'Know Before You Go' campaign.
We also protect your money through International Passenger Protection and your flights are booked through the corporate team at Trailfinders, who have an ATOL Insurance Bond (3206) through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The Year Out Group is an association of leading gap year companies that exists to promote the concept and benefits of structured year out programs, models of good practice and to help young people and their advisers select suitable and worthwhile programs abroad.
We are a founding member of this organisation, having been assessed and accredited since 1998. Their website, yearoutgroup.org, is a great reference and resource for all you need to make the most of your year out.
The Gap Year Association is a nonprofit accreditation and standards-setting organisation for gap years, recognised by the US Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. They are responsible for assessing Gap Year companies with regard their value, ethos and safety.
They are America's first and only association making sure that students signing on with a GYA-accredited organisation will have the best and safest experience possible.
In 2014 The Leap became the very first UK company to gain full GYA accreditation and we have just been re-accredited (2021) which took 2 years of gruelling business dissection. Their official stamp of approval means you can trust in our delivery, management and mission of all our programs where service and experiential learning is at the heart of all we do. If you have time, have a look to see the hoops and level of detail they go into. It's an amazing reference point and one to feel confident with. Read GYA's standards.
We are also able to help you get college credits - just get in touch for more information.
We have been granted the official title of 'Approved Activity Provider' for the residential section of the Gold award, which is really exciting as we know how hard it is to nail all the components required for the gold.
Choose any of our programs to qualify for your 5 nights away with a team of people and we are happy to fill in the D of E admin.
Simple.
Financial Protection – 100% Peace of Mind
You are fully protected for all monies paid to us, including repatriation costs, arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of The Leap.
Your booking is insured by IPP Ltd and its Panel of Insurers. This insurance is only valid for passengers who book and pay directly with/to The Leap Overseas Ltd to travel on a Leap program. For further information see www.ipplondon.co.uk
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 'Know Before You Go' campaign was launched in 2001 to provide essential information on travelling abroad for citizens of the UK, in an attempt to minimise emergency situations on foreign soil. It's an ongoing initiative with over 300 industry partners across the UK, including hotel websites, airports, booking agencies and travel companies.
The Leap is one such industry partner, promoting the campaign's common-sense principles to anyone travelling with us. We also work closely with the FCO in our risk assessments to ensure your safety whilst travelling overseas. For more information, check out gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo
