Three Government Policies Regarding the Health and Safety of Pupils - Assignment Example

Activity Task 1a. Three government policies regarding the health and safety of pupils are as follows The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 – this act “places overall responsibility for health and safety with the employer” (Teachernet, 2007). This may be the local authority for community schools, the governing body for foundation schools or the proprietor or governing body for independent schools. 2. The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 – These regulations hold employers responsible for providing “adequate first aid equipment, facilities and personnel to their employee” (Health and Safety Executive). This would relate to teachers, staff and pupils. More detailed guidelines were published specifically for school first aid safety by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, titled “Guidance on First Aid for Schools” (Health and Safety Executive). 3. The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 – these regulations “stipulate minimum standards for school premises” (ALT, 2011). Task 1b. The following are examples of three specific school policies at the Elliot Park School. 1. Medication in School Policy: “All medicines must be clearly labelled with pupils name, contents and dosage” (Teaching Assistants Handbook, p. 94). 2. All employees are responsible under the Health and Safety Act of 1974 (p.89). 3. The deputy teacher is responsible for the management of health and safety within the school (p. 91). Task 2. The Deputy Head Teacher has numerous responsibilities for the health and safety of Elliot Park School pupils. This person is responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all staff and pupils. The Deputy Head teacher will establish and maintain the procedures in order to create a safe learning environment; they will also assess situations to ensure the well-being of staff and pupils. This person is also responsible for communicating, instructing and supervising staff and pupils, so that they may “avoid hazards and contribute positively to their own health and safety;” this may include staff training (p. 89). The head teacher (as well as the School Governors) is responsible for the implementation of the schools health and safety policy. This person is responsible for revising and amending the policy as needed, preparing emergency evacuation procedures, ensuring that safely inspections are conducted and to make arrangements for the removal, repair andir replacement of “furniture, fitting or equipment identified as being unsafe by the Health and Safety inspection team” (p. 90). Task 3. Safety Checklist: Have you... 1. Checked the playing equipment for safety using safety regulations? 2. Provided age-appropriate toys and equipment? 3. Made yourself aware of the safety rules, procedures and safe practices applicable to your post? 4. Outlined the necessary procedures to be used in case of an accident? 5. Made sure that tools and equipment are in good working condition? If they are not, have you reported the defects to the delegated person? Task 4. New TA Safety Leaflet Classroom Safety Tips: 1. The learning environment must have age appropriate equipment and materials. 2. When performing potentially hazards activities such as hammering, sawing and science experiments, British Standard BS2092 safety goggles must be warn. 3. Check the cultural, religious, and dietary prohibitions of all pupils to avoid allergic reactions to foods and materials in the classroom. 4. Be sure to instruct pupils in classroom safety; including reporting accidents to teachers, keeping foods and materials out of their mouths and not touching electrical outlets. 5. Be sure to maintain the bathroom and toilet area for proper sanitation. Playground Safety Tips: 1. The playground a setting should be a safe, hazard-free environment that provides activities that encourage curiosity and exploration. 2. Adult supervision must be present during playground play. 3. Children with disabilities require safe access. 4. Be sure that old and worn equipment is removed or replaced and that the equipment is age appropriate. 5. Be sure that rubber or other impact-absorbing materials are being used for the playground surface. Activity 2. Task 5a. The following list is the necessary evacuation procedure to use when a fire alarm goes off. 1. Pupils must stand at attention next to their desks as soon as a fire alarm is heard. 2. The teacher will announce the exit route to be used and children will leave the classroom in single file. 3. Hearing impaired children must be alerted about the alarm. 4. All classes “move at a steady pace to the place of assembly” (p.98). 5. The teacher at the rear should have the attendance register and will close the classroom door as well as other unused doors on the escape route. 6. Children should not run, or laugh, talk or make other noises during evacuation. 7. “special arrangements should be made to deal with pupils with physical disabilities” and those with a nervous disposition (p. 98). 8. Both the head teacher and deputy head teacher will go to the pre-determined location for assembly and wait for reports from all sections. 1. Assembly point for Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 is the Year 1 and 2 playground. 2. Aseembly point for Key Stage 2 is the Year 5 and 6 playground. 9. Anyone not in the classroom at the time of the alarm must go directly to the assembly point and join their class. 10. No one must re-enter the building, with the exception of a search for a missing person. 11. The fire brigade must be called as soon as a fire is suspected (senior member staff responsibility). 12. A roll call or count must be made (my register if possible) at the assembly point. 13. “Each responsible person should report immediately to the head teacher or deputy head teacher all present or otherwise” (p. 99). 14. A search must be conducted by staff if any pupils are missing. 15. Immediately inform the Officer in Charge of the Fire Brigade as to whether or not everyone has been safely evacuated. Task 5b. If a child under my care is injured on the playground, I would first remain calm and then contact the “First Aider”; who, at Elliot Park School, is Mrs. T. Vale. Since I am not the designated first aider, I must not apply first aid, but I can provide comfort with my presence and voice until the first aider arrives (Teaching Assistants Handbook, p. 112). I will then “establish and maintained the privacy and safety of the area” (p. 112). I must provide clear and accurate information about the incident to the first aider. I would then fill out an accident form which is found in the school office. Task 6. Based on the Bradford Health Protection Team, the most common illnesses found in typical schools are: Chickenpox Cold Sores Hand, foot and mouth disease Impetigo Measles Rubella Scabies Parvovirus Common cold Diptheria Influenza Whooping cough Conjunctivitis Mononucleosis Head lice Tonsillitis Task 7. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that is defined by the inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Asthma causes wheezing, tightening of the chest, shortness of breath and coughing (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, 2008). Elliot Park School Pupil Health Record Name: Rebecca Reuben D.O.B.: 04/13/2005 Class: Victoria Walker YR2 Medical Condition: Asthma Symptoms: Wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and restricted airway during attacks. Actions to be taken: Provide quick-relief rescue inhaler. Emergency Contact Numbers: Name: Sally Reuben Tel: 1234567890 Relationship to pupil: Mother Name: Jasmine Jones Tel: 9876543210 Relationship to pupil: Aunt Name: John Reuben Tel: 2345167890 Relationship to pupil: Father Name and address of doctor: Doctor: Dr. Jason Winchester Tel: 2347892413 Address: 123 Hathaway Lane Activity 3 Task 8 The main regulation relating to the safeguarding of children from abuse is the Child Protection Policy which “supports children’s development in ways that foster their security” (p. 111). It is central “to the welfare and well-being of pupils” and is integrated into all aspects of the school’s curriculum (p. 111). Five relevant policies include: 1. Children should be encouraged to have a positive self-image. 2. School employees must nurture “children’s abilities to establish and sustain relationships with families, peers, adults and the outside world” (p. 111). 3. Children must be equipped with “the necessary skills to make reasoned, informed choices, judgments and decisions” (p.11). 4. The school “will work with parents and carers to build an understanding of the schools responsibility to ensure the welfare and well-being of all children (p. 111). 5. The school must ensure “that staff are aware of local child protection procedures so that information is passed on effectively to the relevant professional or agency” (p. 112). Task 9. School staff members should “be alert to signs of abuse and know to whom they should report any concerns or suspicions;” this includes signs of neglect and verbal abuse (p. 113). Furthermore there should be a designated staff member, with relevant training, who is responsible for coordinating a liaison between the school and other agencies should abuse be suspected. Children are often afraid to tell an adult of abuse and therefore staff must be alert to signs of abuse, such as non-verbal communication, perhaps acting out, or a sudden slip in grades. It’s important to keep communication open and appropriate with pupils so that they will feel comfortable enough to tell you about abuse. “Children have the fundamental right to be protected from harm” and teachers and teaching assistants have the ability to be a positive role model and a trusted person in which to confide in. Staff has the responsibility to inform the proper person or authority when a pupil reveals abuse, or if abuse is suspected, but it must be done in a way that does not harm the child emotionally. As school staff, it is equally important to understand boundaries in terms of pupil support and relationships. Task 10. As a Teaching Assistant who knows of or suspects abuse, I would inform the head teacher the same day I received this information. I would then create a record that is precise and factual. Once I do this the head teacher would be responsible for deciding whether or not to report the information to Social Services. Task 11. The four key points to remember about confidentiality as it relates to abuse are: 1. It is the responsibility of teaching staff and non-teaching staff “to share relevant information about the protection of children with other professionals;” including Social Services and the Police (p. 113). 2. Even in the case where a child confides in staff about abuse and asks that the information not be shared, the staff must share the information with the proper authorities. In this case, the child should be made aware that the information will be shared but only to the people who need to know about it. Explain to them that they are not in trouble and that they did the right thing by sharing the information. 3. Keep in mind that “staff who receive information about children and their families in the course of their work should share that information only within appropriate professional contexts” (p. 114). 4. “Child protection records should be kept securely locked” (p. 114). References Association of Teachers and Lecturers. (2011). Standards for Education Premises. http://www.atl.org.uk/health-and-safety/work-environment/standards-education-premises.asp Department of Education. (2010). A guide to the law for school governors: Pupil health and safety. http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/governance/guidetothelaw/b0065507 /gttl/health-safety-welfare/legislation-health-and-safety Health and Safety Executive. (n.d.). http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/faqs.htm#faschools National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. (2008). What is Asthma. Website. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_WhatIs.html Responsibility for Health and Safety in Schools. (2007). Teachernet. http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/healthandsafety/responsibilities/visitsresponsibilitiessection1/ Read More