Safeguarding Policy

Health and Safety

Hideaway Youth Project
INTRODUCTION
This document is the Health and Safety Policy for the Hideaway Youth Project. It will
be followed by all members of the organisation (both paid and voluntary) and
followed and promoted by those in the position of leadership within the organisation.
Failure to do so will result in a report to the Board and possible disciplinary
procedures. Hideaway recognises its responsibility to ensure a safe and environment
for all those involved with the organisation, including a duty to provide proper health
and safety measures.
The Project Leader is responsible to the Board for ensuring that all of Hideaways
work is undertaken in adherence with this policy and that staff and volunteers are
fully aware of the contents of the policy and their roles and responsibilities within it.
The Board is responsible for monitoring the implementation of this policy.
If any young person/child, parent, staff or Board member has any concerns about
planning or organisation which is not managed with due regard to this policy, this
should be raised in the first instance with the Project Leader or the Chair of the
Board (who ever is the most appropriate).
Principles upon which the Health and Safety Policy is based.

The safety of children/young people and staff will always be paramount.

Good practice applies to everyone, whether paid staff, volunteers, young
people or the Board. Those people in positions of responsibility within the
organisation will work in accordance with the interests of the health and safety
of children/young people and follow the policy outlined below.
Children/young people, staff, parents and Board members will know what their
responsibilities are and what is expected of them.

This policy covers:

Activities, including visits and trips

o planning and risk assessment,
o staffing
o insurance

Fire Safety

Internet safety.

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

IN ALL CASES IT IS VITAL TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION IS NEEDED TO
ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE AND
STAFF.
For the purpose of this policy Children are identified as those under 18 years.
Young people are identified as those over 18.
Activities, including visits and trips
Planning and Risk Assessment

For each activity/group session there should be a SIMPLE STATEMENT

outlining the overall purpose(s) or aim(s) and how they will be achieved.

PARENTAL CONSENT will be gained for initial membership or involvement of

an individual in an activity, and in addition, when:
o The group is meeting in a venue other than the Amani Centre
o Potentially hazardous activities are to be undertaken
o The subject matter may be regarded as controversial or outside the
normal remit of the groups programme
o Children are to be involved with all-age activities at which their parents
will not be present.

If an activity is to be carried out away from the Amani Centre, a RISK

ASSESSMENT must be carried out which identifies any possible risks and
dangers and making plans to minimise/eliminate them. A risk assessment need
not be complex but it must be thorough. Children and young people must not
be placed in situations where they are exposed to risk. The following should be
considered:
o
o
o
o

What are the risks?

What needs to be done to reduce the risks?
Can these safety measures be implemented?
What steps can be put in place in event of an emergency?

Particular aspects to be considered will include:

o Safety getting to and from the venue/destination. This could include:
Type of journey (risks will differ for walking, using the
bus/train/minibus. In addition:
Account will be taken of timing and distance (e.g. Will
children be leaving to walk home late in the evening?)
Passenger safety
Traffic and seasonal/weather conditions
Arrangements for emergencies and breakdowns
Stopping places
Appropriate insurance cover

o
o
o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

Ensuring that vehicles are suitable, road worthy, a

suitable size, have seat belts, current documentation and
insurance cover
Ensuring that drivers have required credentials
Supervision (NB. A driver should not be included as a
supervisor)
Responsibilities of staff during travel of any kind (ensure that they are
aware of expectations, rules and boundaries)
Ensuring appropriate staffing ratios (NB. NO leader should travel in a
vehicle alone with a child/young person, regardless of the
circumstances or the length of the journey
Responsibilities of children/young people (ensure that they are aware
of expectations, rules and boundaries)
Procedures if a child is separated from the group
Procedures if a staff member is injured, becomes unwell or needs to
leave the group
Taking account of risks which could be encountered during the activity
Procedures if a child is injured or becomes unwell
Ensuring that First Aid procedures are in place
Ensuring that no unauthorised person can gain access to the
activity
Ensuring that equipment (e.g. scissors) are used safely
Ensuring that staff have a record of all children attending, parental
consent, emergency contact details, any medical or particular needs
Ensuring that Youth Leaders can be easily identified by children and
vice-versa
Ensuring that regular head counts are carried out
Ensuring that communication arrangements between staff are clear
and manageable

Some of these guidelines may not apply in specific circumstances, such as when
youth workers are in schools or meeting children in other settings. There may also
be situations where workers are providing counselling or other support services
where an older child may want confidential advice without first getting parental
consent. Issues of this kind must be reviewed by the staff team and, if thought
necessary by the Project Leader, referred to the Board.
When working with young people (those over 18) it is not necessary to gain parental
consent, nor to abide by some of the specific guidelines set out in relation to
children. Many of the above aspects, however, are relevant for activities with both
children and young people. Risk assessments are must still be carried out and due
care and attention MUST be given to ensuring that all activities are undertaken
safely for all concerned.
Staffing
Staff will NEVER work alone with a group or individual Child or young person. There
should always be a minimum of two adult leaders

There must be a sufficient ratio of adult supervisors (persons over 18 years of

age) to children/young people.

Factors to consider when choosing staff for activities should include:

Age and gender of group members
Children or young people with special/particular needs (e.g. medical needs
or disability)
First aid cover
Nature of activity
On or off-site activities (especially if activities are residential)

All workers, including volunteers, who come into contact with children and
young people within the course of their work, must consent to a Disclosure and
Baring Service (DBS) Check being carried out to check they have no relevant
criminal convictions. It is essential that all group leaders and volunteer workers
have been through this process, especially when they are acting in a
supervisory capacity away from the organisation.
If there are parents or volunteers supplementing the supervision ratio they
should be carefully selected and ideally be well known to the group? Any
person who has not been through the vetting procedure must NEVER be left
alone with children.
Parents or volunteers who are in REGULAR contact with Children or Young
People must consent to a DBS check.
Staff should reflect the gender balance of the group, especially if the activity is
off-site or residential.
Ideally you should have someone trained in First Aid.
For specialist activities you must ensure you have trained, experienced staff.
All staff and helpers should know what to do in the case of suspected or alleged
abuse. (Please see Child and Young People Protection Policy).
There should be a trial period of three months for all new volunteers, at the end
of which both parties should review the situation. (Please see Volunteer Policy)

Ratios of adults to children/young people

The Hideaway usually works with older Children and Young People. However,
its policy covers situations for work with younger Children in the event that
this should arise.
NB. If the work is with Children under the age of eight, for two hours or more,
on a regular basis, then it must be registered with the local Social Services.
The following ratios (required under the Childrens Act 1989) are a minimum. It is
always advisable to have at least one more leader than is required to allow for any
emergencies to be dealt with safely and efficiently. Particular activities, journeys, or
groups e.g. those with Children or Young People with special needs, may require a
higher ratio.
Recommendations for children over the age of 8 years:

For on-site activities:

Up to 20 children - 2 adult Leaders (preferably one of each gender).
There should be one additional leader for every extra 1-10 children (i.e. there should
be an extra leader even if the group size increases by only one extra young person).
For off-site activities:
Children aged 8-13 years - 2 adult Leaders for a group of up to 15 children, plus an
additional leader for every 1-8 extra children.
Children aged 13 years and over - 2 adult leaders for a group of up to 20 young
people, plus one additional leader for every 1-10 extra young people.
Recommendations for children over school leaving age:
The appropriate staff ratio will be agreed by staff with the Project Leader.
Insurance
Workers are covered for legal liability under the terms and conditions of the
organisations insurance policy. Any variations from the normal programme or venue
may require additional insurance premiums to be arranged.
Requirements for the use of mini-buses vary tremendously, and appropriate
insurance cover should always be checked out before buses are used.
Fire Safety
It is the responsibility of the Board in conjunction with the Project leader and the
Building Management group to ensure that the building complies with Fire Safety
regulations and guidelines. (Please see Fire Safety Policy)
All equipment, exits, regulations and clearly visible signs, will be regularly checked.
Additional signs, recognisable for people with different needs, e.g. at different eye
levels, braille etc. will be added where appropriate and necessary.
All users of the building should be made aware of and asked to comply with the
safety and emergency procedures.
Regular safety drills and testing of fire safety equipment must be carried out.
There should be an accessible, clear and up to date record of all people who are
present. This record would be used for a roll-call in the event of an emergency.
A sign will be displayed giving the details of the nearest available telephone for
emergency calls.