HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
Nature of Learning Health and Safety Policy
Updated by Sarah Alington 09/2024 Due for review 09/2025
Health and Safety of the children, staff and visitors is our primary concern. While the Forest School Leaders of Nature of Learning are responsible for the day-to-day safe running with a duty of care for the children, ALL adults are required to take all reasonable steps to ensure children and adults are safe. All facilitators involved in the sessions have access to activity plans and risk assessments associated with specific activities and children, as well as overarching risk assessments being available to all in our handbook via our website, and in paper form upon request.
Nature of Learning is committed to ensuring the Health, Safety and Welfare of its staff team and it will, so far as is reasonably practicable, establish procedures and systems necessary to implement this commitment and to comply with its statutory obligations on Health and Safety.
For Nature of Learning to run Safely all FSF’s will.
The Lead Practitioners are responsible for the maintenance of the first aid kits and any tools that are used on site.
Nature of Learning is committed to ensuring that all setting practices are carried out within the requirements of the Health and Safety and Work Act 1974 and the Management of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1999.
Nature of Learning recognises that a systematic approach to health and safety, based on risk assessment procedures and will provide and maintain a healthy and safe working environment with the objective of minimising the number of instances of occupational accidents, incidents and illnesses.
Nature of Learning is committed to:
Nature of Learning also recognises its duty to protect the health and safety of all visitors to the Forest School, including contractors, temporary workers and members of the public who might be affected by the Forest School’s work operations.
This policy will be issued to all staff as part of the induction process and available at all times on site and on the website.
It is the responsibility of all staff, parents/carers and visitors to adhere to this policy.
Responsibility
While Nature of Learning will take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of the staff team, health and safety at work is also the responsibility of the facilitators themselves.
It is the duty of each team member to take reasonable care of their own and other people’s health, safety, and welfare and to report any situation which may pose a serious or imminent threat to the well-being of themselves or of any other person.
It is the responsibility of all members of staff to ensure that health and safety regulations are adhered to and that the health and safety of the children and other members of staff are not compromised in any way.
It is the responsibility of the Lead Practitioner to ensure that the health and safety of the setting as a whole remains within legislative requirements and that the health and safety of all setting users, including children, staff and parents and carers is not compromised in any way.
If a team member is unsure how to perform a certain task or feels it would be dangerous to perform a specific job or use specific equipment, then it is that team member’s duty to report this as soon as possible to the Lead Practitioner.
Alternatively, a team member may, if they prefer, invoke the Forest School’s formal complaints procedure.
The 5-step approach to risk assessment for all activities:
FSL’s and Nature of Learning Lead Practitioners will.
Supervision Requirements
Children are supervised at all times whilst in the setting. Nature of Learning uses three levels of supervision dependent upon the activities that are taking place and the location that they are occurring.
Before a session begins, a Daily Site Check is carried out, either by Nature of Learning Leader or another Forest School Facilitator.
This includes a sweep of all areas used, to ensure that there are no changes to the site which could cause harm. For example, loose branches after high winds. Following the Daily Site Risk Assessment, the Nature of Learning leader will carry out anything that is needed to make the site safe (e.g., remove any hazards, mark off any unsafe areas). At the same time, they will consider specific circumstances which make it appropriate to cancel a Forest School Session.
When planning activities for Forest Schools, any hazards associated with that activity, that are at risk of causing harm, should be considered. These should be recorded in a Risk Assessment with suitable control measures taken to control and minimise the risk. Due to the nature of Forest Schools the children may come up with a new activity during a session and therefore reasonable steps will be taken to ensure the activity is safe and any new activities or necessary changes will be added to the Risk Assessment document.
All Risk Assessments are kept securely and able to be accessed by FSL’s and other interested parties.
Child Protection / Safeguarding
All members of staff will receive training in child protection as part of their induction training.
All members of staff are instructed in the specific procedure for Nature of Learning, especially as regards to disclosures and suspicions of child abuse. (See the Safeguarding Policy for further information).
In the event of an accident and emergency, one person stays with the injured child, one remains with the other children. A first aid assessment is made by a qualified first aider and appropriate medical attention is sought as quickly as possible.
All staff, volunteers and participants will be briefed by the Nature of Learning Leader on what to do in the case of an emergency.
The whistle will be blown as a signal to stop what you are doing, gather with a member of staff, and wait for instructions. The Nature of Learning Leader will assess the situation, the nature and extent of the injury/accident. They will ensure the rest of the group are safe from danger and adequately supervised.
An accident form will be completed later. A RIDDOR record will be created, along with an Accident report for any death, serious injury or 7 day injury.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/report.htm
RIDDOR - Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013
If anyone sustains an injury or illness which cannot be treated by first aid on site and requires medical assistance:
Emergency Contact Numbers:
Ambulance/Fire Brigade = 999
Requesting attendance by Emergency Services
Dial 999 and ask for ambulance or fire brigade. Be ready with the following information:
Site post code – CB10 2HG
Grid reference: 52.049820, 0.380135
What 3 Words: pigtails.charcoal.horses
The first aid red rucksack is visible and accessible at all times
The Forest School lead practitioners will ensure this is adequately stocked and replenished.
All accidents are recorded with details of the treatment given.
The leader will also ensure a mobile phone is available and in working order at each session.
All members of staff are required to obtain a paediatric first aid qualification when qualifying as FSL’s. In addition, all members of staff are instructed in the correct procedures for dealing with accidents and incidents including completion of documentation.
All staff are made aware of the First Aid rucksack, and of where additional First Aid supplies are stored. Emergency medication, such as epi-pens, must be stored out of reach of children, but easily accessible to staff.
Accident/incident forms should be completed as soon as is safe to do so. The procedure for such events is:
Administration of Medications
All administration of medications is carried out by the child’s parent or carer, with the exception of emergency medications which are required when a parent/carer is not on site.
Emergency medications such as asthma inhalers or epi pens must be made known to the Forest School Lead Practitioner/s and stored in a safe but accessible location. Emergency medications are given by a First Aid trained member of staff, in accordance with prescription instructions on the medication. Dose and administration is checked and observed by a 2nd member of staff and a record of this is made. If an emergency medication is given, medical attention is also sought in line with the First Aid section of this policy, and parents are informed as soon as is practicable.
Illnesses
Nature of Learning uses guidance from Public Health England (PHE) to determine the exclusion guidance for contagious illnesses.
If a child becomes unwell during the course of the session, members of staff will ensure that the child is comfortable but does not pose any risk to the other children in the setting. The member of staff will contact the child's parent/carer and observe the child closely until they are collected.
Sickness
any child who has had diarrhoea or vomited (for any reason) should not attend sessions until 48 hours have passed since last episode of sickness it diarrhoea.
Personal Hygiene
All members of staff and children are encouraged to maintain an acceptable level of personal hygiene.
Maintenance and Storage of Equipment
Nature of Learning has a wide variety of equipment and materials that are used by the children in the course of their play and enjoyment at the setting. All equipment is is checked by a Lead Practitioner to ensure it is safe for use when newly acquired and at the start of each session or period of use.
All equipment is well maintained and checked on a regular basis to ensure that it presents no risk to the health and safety of the children. Equipment and materials which do pose a hazard, but which have an evidenced benefit for the development of children are used in accordance with appropriately recorded risk assessments and are stored securely after /between use/s.
The Woodland Site
The woodland that Nature of Learning operates from is privately owned. Internal audits are completed regularly by Lead Practitioners, with advice sought from Tree Surgeons in the form of regular surveys and for additional issues arising, in line with risk assessments and insurance requirements. Site checks are carried out each day to ensure that there are no risks or hazards that would compromise the health and safety of the children, parents and carers or staff.
The footpath and churchyard access are checked daily before sessions and any issues are reported to the church wardens or local authorities as appropriate, with alternative routes to site used if required.
At the end of the session members of staff ensure that the premises are left clean, safe and tidy.
Smoking
Nature of Learning operates a strict no smoking policy, this means that there is no smoking at any time on any part of the site.
Any adult wishing to smoke is required to leave the site and remain out of sight of the children in order to do so. Staff may not smoke during their working times.
The no smoking policy also applies to parents, carers, and visitors to the setting. Nature of Learning has this policy in the best interests of the children and staff.
Accident Reporting & Investigation (RIDDOR)
All injuries sustained by a person at work must be reported to the Lead Practitioner and recorded on an accident form. Accident records are crucial to the effective monitoring of health and safety procedures and must therefore be accurate and comprehensive. Lead Practitioners will inspect the accident forms on a regular basis with any necessary action being taken to prevent a recurrence of the problem.
Managers will investigate any accidents if necessary, and the appropriate enforcing authority will be notified under the Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), where necessary.
Cooking- including food hygiene
Everyone who prepares or cooks food for other people have Food Hygiene level 2 Certificates.
Everyone involved in Nature of Learning should be involved in food safety and follow the food hygiene rules as follows:
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
COSHH is the law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health and includes nanomaterials. Prevent or reduce workers' exposure to hazardous substances by finding out what the health hazards are; deciding how to prevent harm to health (risk assessment).
Nature of Learning has a duty under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 to prevent staff from coming into contact with substances hazardous to health.
Chemicals and Material: It is Nature of Learning policy to, wherever possible; avoid the use of substances that have the risk of being hazardous to health. Safety data sheets under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) or Chemical Hazard Information Packaging (CHIP) information supplied by manufacturers will be held on file for all substances and available for staff reference purposes and risk assessment. Staff who use these chemicals and materials have the duty of care to make themselves aware of the potential hazard, contradictions, and treatments.
Measures and Provisions:
We have conducted a risk assessment in relation to all substances used on our premises and concluded that no substance presents a high risk.
The majority of substances used on site are of domestic standard for household use and therefore do not present any threat to health and are safe to use.
The Forest School has general hygiene measures in place, together with the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) to further ensure the safety of employees.
Product name, Ingredients, First Aid information and Safety requirements.
Nature of Learning Forest School Leaders are qualified and trained regarding the correct way to construct and light a fire.
Safety and Responsibility
Whenever possible, all fuels should be burnt off to ash.
The Nature of Learning Leader should ensure that any large remains of wood, especially when using logs, are separated from one another.
At the end of the session, the fire must be doused down with water using a watering can and rose and stirred until all smoke and steam has ceased.
Large build ups of potash, from several fires, needs to be removed from site. This must only be done when it has totally cooled, preferably the following day.
The Nature of Learning Leader is responsible for overseeing safe use and maintenance of all tools.
Knives are kept in a locked box unless being used directly and blades are covered by sheaths. Other sharp tools are kept out of reach and locked away in the Shed when not in use. The Nature of Learning leader is responsible for the safekeeping of all tools
The Nature of Learning leader ensures PPE is used when necessary eg gloves
Detailed Risk Assessments are completed for all activities involving the use of tools.
We advise every season on appropriate clothing. Participants are encouraged to provide and wear clothing which will protect them from extremes of heat or cold, keep them covered to reduce the likelihood of cuts and scrapes, that fits appropriately for comfort. Children and parents/carers are encouraged to think about the usefulness of their clothing for outdoor activities, and to be aware they are likely to take some of our mud home with them after a session. In the forest it can often be cooler than expected under the shade of the trees and prolonged periods outdoors require additional clothing considerations. Forest School Leaders will work with children and their parents to support the wearing of appropriate clothing when on site. Where barriers to this exist, such as for a child with sensory differences, additional support will be given and alternatives will be suggested and made available where possible. In the event that a child or adult is considered by the Forest School Lead to be unsafe due to their clothing eg in extreme cold or wet, then they may need to leave the session early or in extreme circumstances to miss a session, if all other possibilities have been exhausted.
Nature of Learning leaders carry items of spare clothing in the shed which can be borrowed by participants as necessary.
The Compost Tree bog toilet is available on site at all times. If children are able, they will escort themselves to the toilet. If support is required, this will be given by a DBS checked member of staff and the Forest School lead will also be informed.
In the event that a child has a toileting accident on site, support will be offered as required by a DBS checked member of staff and the Forest School Lead Practitioner will be informed, as will parents upon collection. Gloves will be work as appropriate to prevent cross contamination of bodily fluids