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