United Education uses its risk assessment systems to ensure that the Camp is a safe and secure place for children and staff. All staff are expected to undertake risk assessments as part of their routine tasks.
In line with current health and safety legislation and the EYFS Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements 2014, United Education will carry out regular risk assessments and take appropriate action to deal with any hazards or risks identified. It is the responsibility of the manager to ensure that risk assessments are conducted, monitored and acted upon.
Risk assessments will be carried out:
- whenever there is any change to equipment or resources
- when there is any change to the Camp’s premises
- when the particular needs of a child necessitates this
- when we take the children on an outing or visit.
Not all risk assessments need to be written down. Staff will decide, in consultation with the manager, which risk assessments need to be formally recorded. However risk assessments related to employment and the working environment will be always be recorded in writing so that staff can refer to them.
If changes are required to the Camp’s policies or procedures as a result of the risk assessment, the manager will update the relevant documents and inform all staff.
Daily checks
We will carry out a visual inspection of the equipment and the whole premises (indoors and out) daily, before any children arrive. During the course of the session, staff will remain alert to any potential risks to health and safety.
If a member of staff discovers a hazard during the course of a session, they will make the area safe (eg by cordoning it off) and then notify the manager. The manager will ensure that any actions needed to mitigate the immediate hazard have been taken and will implement measures to prevent the incident from recurring.
Recording dangerous events
The manager will record all accidents and dangerous events on the Incident or Accident Record sheets as soon as possible after the incident. If the incident affected a child the record will be kept on the child’s file. The Camp will monitor Incident and Accident Records to see whether any pattern to the occurrences can be identified.
Related policies
See our related policies: Fire Safety and Risk Assessment, Health and Safety, and Manual Handling.
Health and safety general standards
United Adventure Camps 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 Camp has appropriate insurance cover, including employer’s liability insurance and public liability insurance.
Each member of staff follows the Camp’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 Camp
- 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 manager.
Any member of staff who disregards safety instructions or recognised safe practices will be subject to disciplinary procedures.
Responsibilities of the registered person
The registered person for the setting holds ultimate responsibility and liability for the safe operation of the Camp. The registered person will ensure that:
- The Camp’s designated health and safety officer is displayed on the parents notice board
- All staff receive information on health and safety matters, and receive training where necessary
- TheHealth and Safety policy and procedures are reviewed regularly
- Staff understand and follow health and safety procedures
- Resources are provided to meet the Camp’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.
Responsibilities of the manager
The Camp’s 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 Camp during opening hours
- All the Camp’s equipment is safely and securely stored
- Children are only allowed in the kitchen if properly supervised (eg 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 ourRisk Assessment
Security
Children are not allowed to leave the Camp premises during the session unless prior permission has been given by the parents (for example, to attend other extra-curricular activities).
Camps are required to follow their individual security procedures. Staff monitor the entrances and exits to the premises throughout the session.
All visitors to the Camp must sign the Visitor Log and give the reason for their visit. Visitors will never be left alone with the children.
Security procedures will be regularly reviewed by the manager, in consultation with staff and parents.
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.
Food and personal hygiene
Staff at United Adventure Camps maintain high standards of personal hygiene and take all practicable steps to prevent and control the spread of infection.
A generally clean environment is always maintained.
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.
Dealing with body fluids
Spillages of blood, vomit, urine and faeces will be cleaned up immediately in accordance with our Intimate Care policy.
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.
Related policies
See also our related policies: Illness and Accidents, Emergency Evacuation, Healthy Eating, Safeguarding, Administering Medication, Risk Assessment, Manual Handling, Fire Safety, and Intimate Care, Visitor.
Minimum exclusion periods for infectious conditions and diseases
| Disease/Condition | Exclusion period |
| Chicken Pox | Until all vesicles (spots) have crusted over |
| Cold Sores | None. Avoid contact with sores |
| Conjunctivitis | None |
| Diphtheria* | Exclusion always necessary, consult local Health Protection Team |
| Diarrhoea and Vomiting | 48 hours after last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting |
| Glandular Fever | None |
| Gastro-enteritis, E. Coli, Food Poisoning, Salmonella and Dysentery | 48 hours after last episode of diarrhoea – further exclusion may be required for some children |
| Hand, Foot and Mouth disease | None |
| Hepatitis A* | Until 7 days after onset of jaundice |
| Hepatitis B* and C* | None |
| High temperature | 24 hours |
| HIV/AIDS | None |
| Impetigo | Until lesions are crusted and healed, or 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment |
| Influenza | Until recovered |
| Measles* | 4 days from onset of rash |
| Meningitis* | Until recovered |
| Molluscum Contagiosum | None |
| Mumps* | 5 days from onset of swollen glands |
| Pediculosis (lice) | None |
| Pertussis* (Whooping cough) | 5 days from commencing antibiotic treatment or 21 days from the onset if antibiotics not given |
| Ringworm | Exclusion not usually required |
| Rubella* (German Measles) | 4 days from onset of rash |
| Scabies | Until first treatment has been given |
| Scarlet fever* | 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment |
| Slapped Check, Fifth Disease | None (once rash has developed) |
| Threadworms | None |
| T onsillitis | None |
| Tuberculosis* | Consult local Health Protection Team |
| Typhoid*, Paratyphoid* | 48 hours after last episode of diarrhoea – further exclusion may be required for some children |
| Warts (including Verruca) | None. Verruca sufferers should keep feet covered |
* Denotes a notifiable disease.
If in any doubt contact local health services for further information
