Interest

If you need expert advice the Health and Safety Executive helpline can be reached on 0845 345 0055.

Actual requirements

The Health and Safety Executive are keen to promote the concept of sensible risk management. Their leaflet ‘5 steps to risk assessment’ lays out the process clearly and also provides a simple blank risk assessment form. This and other information can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/risk/principles.htm.

In 2008, Play England commissioned a guide called ‘Managing Risk in Play Provision.’ This shows how play providers, and those who manage places where children play, can replace current risk assessment practice with an approach that takes into account the benefits of an activity as well as the risks. The risk – benefit analysis described in this publication is a valuable tool which could be used in a variety of situations.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has produced a range of publications and guidance related to health and safety both in and out of school. These can be found at:

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/ete/schools/healthandsafety/healthsafety/

Further guidance is also available at

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/healthandsafety/

If you would like more information about safeguarding, please see our Resources, Publications and Links section.