HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY

1. AIM OF THIS POLICY

Clubland Playscheme considers health and safety to be of utmost importance. We comply with The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 at all times.

The company has appropriate insurance cover, including employer’s liability insurance and public liability insurance.

Each member of staff follows the company’s Health and Safety policy and is responsible for:

• Maintaining a safe environment
• Taking reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others attending the setting
• Reporting all accidents and incidents which have caused injury or damage or may do so in the future
• Undertaking relevant health and safety training when required to do so by the company
• Any member of staff who disregards safety instructions or recognised safe practices will be subject to disciplinary procedures

2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE REGISTERED PERSON

The registered person for the company holds ultimate responsibility and liability for the safe operation of the setting. The registered person will ensure that:

• They nominate a Health and Safety Officer. The designated health and safety officer is Emily McCartney, Deputy Director
• A copy of the current Health and Safety At work poster is displayed
• All staff receive information on health and safety matters, and receive training where necessary
• The Health and Safety policy and procedures are reviewed regularly
• Staff understand and follow health and safety procedures
• Resources are provided to meet the Club’s health and safety responsibilities
• All accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences are properly reported and recorded. This includes informing Ofsted, child protection agencies and the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) where appropriate.
• All reported accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences are reviewed, so that preventative measures can be taken.

 3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PLAYSCHEME MANAGER

The setting’s Playscheme Manager is responsible for ensuring that at each session:

• Premises are clean, well lit, adequately ventilated and maintained at an appropriate temperature
• The premises are used by and solely available to the setting during opening hours
• All the setting’s equipment is safely and securely stored
• Children are only allowed in the kitchen if properly supervised (e.g. for a cooking activity)
• A working telephone is available on the premises at all times
• Chemicals and cleaning materials are stored appropriately, and in accordance with COSHH data sheets.
• External pathways are cleared in severe weather
• Daily environment checks are carried out in accordance with our Risk Assessment policy.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOOL

The school at which the setting is located is responsible for:

• Arranging for electrical appliances to be PAT tested on an annual basis
• Ensure any school owned property is kept in good working order and any property or equipment that is broken or poses a security risk is fixed as a matter of priority

5. SECURITY

Children are informed that they must always stay with a member of staff and children are not allowed to leave the setting premises during the session unless prior permission has been given by the parents/carers (for example, to attend other extra-curricular activities).

During Club sessions all external doors are kept locked, with the exception of fire doors which are alarmed. Staff monitor the entrances and exits to the premises throughout the session.

When it is dark, children are given reflective jackets and/or head torches to aid their own visibility and also sight of the children for staff.

Staff use two way radios to communicate with each other whilst the session is in duration.

All visitors to the setting must provide identification, sign the Visitor Log and give the reason for their visit. Visitors will never be left alone with the children and they will be given a badge to wear for the duration of their visit.

Security procedures will be regularly reviewed by the Playscheme Manager, in consultation with staff and parents/carers.

6. TOYS AND EQUIPMENT

All furniture, toys and equipment are kept clean, well maintained and in good repair. We select toys, equipment and resources with care, and we carry out risk assessments before the children are allowed to use them. Broken toys and equipment are disposed of promptly.

We ensure that any flammable equipment is stored safely.

Children must wear a helmet when using scooters whilst at Clubland.

7. HOT AND COLD WEATHER

Sun Protection

We actively encourage all children to wear a hat when playing outside from May and staff also wear hats and apply sunscreen to themselves to set a good example.

We advise children bring in their own, clearly labelled factor 20+ sunscreen. If in the case that we do not have any sunscreen on site and in our opinion the children are not adequately dressed for playing outside in the sun without any protection, for their safety, we will stop the child being able to actively take part in the outdoor activities.

We educate the children about the dangers of the sun and teach them that they should not be out for more than ten minutes when their shadow is shorter than they are.

Cold Weather

We encourage children to play outside as much as possible however will keep them inside during cold weather if they do not have appropriate clothing, such as a coat and hat. During very cold weather, time outside will be limited.

8. FOOD AND PERSONAL HYGIENE

Staff at Clubland Playscheme maintain high standards of personal hygiene, and take all practicable steps to prevent and control the spread of infection.

• A generally clean environment is maintained at all times.
• Toilets are cleaned daily and soap and hand drying facilities are always available.
• Staff are trained in food hygiene and follow appropriate guidelines.
• Waste is disposed of safely and all bins are kept covered.
• Staff ensure that children wash their hands before handling food or drink and after using the toilet.
• Cuts and abrasions (whether on children or staff) are kept covered.

9. DEALING WITH BODILY FLUIDS

Spillages of blood, vomit, urine and faeces will be cleaned up immediately in accordance with our Intimate Care policy.

10. STAFFING LEVELS

Staff ratios and levels of supervision are always appropriate to the number, ages and abilities of the children present, and to the risks associated with the activities being undertaken. A minimum of two members of staff are on duty at any time and where possible we work to a ratio of 1:15.

11. RELATED POLICIES

See also related policies: Arrivals and Departures Policy, Illness and Accidents Policy, Intimate Care Policy and Risk Assessment Policy.

Last reviewed: October 2023

Next review date: October 2024