Framework for a School Health and Safety Policy
Some key headings and discussion prompts for developing a whole-school health and safety policy.
What should the aims of the policy be?
Think about:
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Providing a healthy and safe environment
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Helping children develop increasing responsibility for their own and others' safety
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Minimising the potential for injuries
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Developing safety rules
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Dealing with injuries should they occur
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Addressing children's specific needs.
What should the policy consist of?
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A statement of intent
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Communication/lines of responsibility
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Codes of practice, rules, procedures
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Implementation, informing, training
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Monitoring and review.
Which issues should we consider when writing the policy?
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A school ethos which positively promotes safety
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Finding out what children know and understand about safety
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Safety education in the curriculum
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Arrangements for assessing and controlling risk
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Improving procedures for dealing with and recording injuries
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Making effective use of local and national safety organisations.
Who is going to do what?
Think about:
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Clear lines of responsibility
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Making sure that everyone understands their particular responsibilities
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Training needs
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Involving everyone in developing the policy.
How will you communicate the policy to everyone?
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Will the communication strategies give a message that safety is a priority?
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Will the communication strategies involve people in hands on ways?
How will the policy and arrangements be monitored and reviewed?
Think about:
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Using questions (like these) to regularly assess the effectiveness of the policy
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A programme of risk assessments focusing on different hazard issues in turn.
How are you going to involve children?
Think about:
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School council
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The curriculum
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Involving children in safety audits, surveys, research projects
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Asking children about their views and concerns.
Most injuries are predictable and preventable. Safer schools adopt a whole school approach to promoting a safe and stimulating environment.
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