Context of this health declaration

In exceptional circumstances where the participant cannot arrange for their health declaration to be signed by a medical professional, we will allow the candidate to appoint a verifier. In such cases, we still ask that the candidate has at a minimum, spoken to a health professional about any key concerns.

The verifier should usually be a relative or care giver. The verifier needs to sign off that they feel the candidate’s health makes them safe and eligible to participate in a programme like ours and that they believe the appropriate steps and considerations have been taken by the candidate

************************************************

Candidate’s duties

************************************************

It is the candidate’s duty to review and discuss their health history with the verifier, looking closely at medications that they may need and considering all possible physical and mental health concerns.

If the candidate is using prescription medication, they should discuss their prescriptions with the verifier to ensure that they can bring a sufficient supply of the medication to last through their time abroad.

If the candidate is unwilling to discuss thiese points with the verifier, then we require that they get their health form signed by a medical professional instead.

************************************************

Note about some programme risks

************************************************

Programmes include various risk factors and conditions that may influence a candidate’s overall physical and mental health, typical conditions of a Programme may include:

•living with host families or in independent apartments or in campus dorm blocks, candidates need to be resilient and keen to interact with others in their community

•being enrolled from 30+ hours/week at an educational Institution which may include supervisory oversight of children and vulnerable adults

•spending time at institutions in remote rural areas or dense ‘megacity’ urban zones in countries where economic development, pollution levels and medical facilities may be substantially different from what candidates may be used to in the UK.

•participating in both outdoor and indoor activities, of varying degrees of strenuousness – good physical fitness is essential.

•lacking proximity to the health facilities and psychological services that they may be accustomed to in Britain. Cultural immersion in a new environment can cause stress which may interact poorly with any underlying mental health difficulties.

•needing to adapt and adjust well mentally and physically to changes in climate, diet, and living conditions.

•being comfortable with uncertainty in many aspects of their daily lives.

************************************************

Awareness of triggers and risks

************************************************

Candidates will need to be aware of potential triggers for any physical or mental health issues they may face and they must take primary and complete responsibility to ensure they are managing this exposure safely, this includes triggers for mental health difficulties, allergens, asthma risks etc. If you consider that a participant isn’t managing their triggers effectively, please don’t recommend that they participate. If any issues arise, please discuss their emergency response plan – what will they do if issues emerge?

************************************************

Declaration

************************************************

Please acknowledge the following:

● The candidate has been honest and open about relevant health history and issues

● The above represents a comprehensive overview of anything relating to the candidate’s health history that could pose any kind of risk to the candidate or others in the course of participating on a programme

● The candidate has sought to discuss and fully divulge any issues that could have relevance, no matter how insignificant these may be considered to be

● The candidate understands that it is their responsibility to ensure that this form provides as full a picture as possible of anything health related that could be of relevance

● In line with our Code of Conduct, the candidate acknowledges that non-disclosure of anything that should have been disclosed is grounds for immediate dismissal on safety or other grounds

● As part of this health declaration, the candidate recognises that the verifier, health professionals (and their employers) and our team are unable to bear any responsibility for any personal health risks divulged or not divulged using this form. The candidate recognises that they bear personal responsibility in ensuring any health risks, allergies, conditions etc are safely managed over the course of their engagement with us.

● The candidate understands that if they fail to share, hide or provide relevant medical information then they take full responsibility for any consequences that may result.

● The candidate understands there is a risk that their health insurance would be voided by the insurer if it was deemed that there had been non disclosure of important information

I acknowledge that the candidate’s medical conditions are under control, they have been stable on their medication for a reasonable period (if applicable), and they are physically and mentally able to participate in an overseas programme like ours.

************************************************

Ramifications of non-discrimination

************************************************
 

We operate a non-discrimination policy against health concerns, sadly many other travel programmes like ours do not. We are committing to giving this opportunity to you, so this health form isn’t used as an admissions decision tool – it is primarily here for your benefit to help you reflect on your risks and to clarify important points of legal liability for your understanding. 

Providing information in this form doesn’t mean special provisions will be made to support you. If issues emerge, we may then use information in this form to determine our best response and support mechanism. 
************************************************

What if a candidate is deemed unfit?

************************************************

If a candidate is deemed unfit to participate, their placement can be deferred for 12 months, if a candidate has come this far through our process then deposits are only refundable upon programme completion.

************************************************

Disclaimer

************************************************
This is a backpacking, gap-year style, work-travel adventure. We are facilitating this to offer you a free, funded training opportunity that aims to foster independence and personal and professional development.
 

We are not in loco parentis, similar to a university/college – you should not assume that we have a duty of care. This is not a school trip, this is real world work experience overseas – we are here to facilitate elements of your experience. You join us as a fully responsible adult, aware of your own risks and with a plan in mind about how to mitigate those risks and thrive on our programme.

In the past, when our participants have had difficulties, our team have dropped everything to protect them – this is because we want you to thrive. But, the number one way to protect yourself from risks and to thrive is to be mindful of risks and to plan ahead. Please rely first on yourself. Remember the old clichéd adage, ‘failing to prepare is preparing to fail’.  
 

If you have mental health concerns, you need an emergency response plan. If you are an asthmatic, then bring inhalers. If you have allergies, please be responsible at every single meal and carry an epipen if needed. Please always communicate your needs at every possible moment, do not rely on others to meet your needs – the safest thing is for you to be 100% aware of your responsibility to yourself. 
 

In summary, we will support you as best we can, but you are ultimately responsible for yourself.