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. You can also call their helpline on 0845 345 0055 if you need expert advice.

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.

A range of publications and guidance related to health and safety both in and out of school is available on the former DCSF website. As a new UK Government took office on 11 May 2010, the content on this site may not reflect current Government policy, however all statutory guidance and legislation published on this site continues to reflect the current legal position unless indicated otherwise.

Further guidance is also available about exemptions from the Vetting and Barring Scheme from the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).