Risk assessment template

Transcription

1 Risk assessment template This template can be amended freely and used as a basis for your network s own risk assessment paperwork. However, any documentation should still result in sufficient evidence to illustrate that the childminder meets the required standards of network membership. It is a requirement of registration, and of network membership, that you provide a safe and healthy environment for the children in your care. You will have covered health and safety in your registration training and you need to be confident in your ability to assess and manage risks. It is your responsibility to do this on a regular basis. Your network coordinator will want to see evidence that you regularly carry out risk assessments of your working environment and discuss the actions that you have identified as being necessary both as part of your initial assessment and ongoing monitoring. Legal responsibility for the safety of the children in your care remains with you, as the registered provider, not the network coordinator. You can use this risk assessment form to help you carry out a written risk assessment of your working environment. The risk assessment should cover all areas that you will be working in, including the garden and car. If you identify any hazards you will want to deal with them before you admit children to that area. The checklist covers many common safety hazards found in family homes. It is not exhaustive, and you may identify other risks, which you should include in your risk assessment or add to the form. Once you have a risk assessment keep the list on file and review it to ensure that you have carried out any tasks that you identified needed doing during the assessment. Many of the risks relate to working with young children and babies and, when carrying out the assessment, you should consider the ages and stages of development of the children you care for. For example, if you are only caring for older children, you may allow them access to the stairs while, with younger children, you may use a stair gate or prevent access to the stairs by ensuring doors are kept shut. You should also carry out a visual check of your home every day but, once every six to 12 months, you should complete this written assessment of your working environment. The checklists provided are not exhaustive as every home is different and space is provided for you to add additional potential risks which you have identified in your setting but which may be less common, for example, if someone in your family is licensed to keep guns on the premises. When you have this record, and signed and dated it, you should keep the original and provide a copy to your network coordinator. Page 1 of 6

2 Name of childminder Date of risk assessment Emergency plan Have you carried out a review of your emergency plan? by (date): Fire drill What was the date of your last fire drill practice? Have all the children in your care taken part in a fire drill? Are your fire blanket and fire extinguisher sited appropriately? Do you have sufficient smoke alarms, and have these been tested recently? by: First aid box Are items clearly labelled? Do you have appropriate and adequate supplies? Is the box inaccessible to children? by: Page 2 of 6

3 Outings and events Do you evaluate the risk elements of every trip, outing or event with the children? Have you obtained parental consent for the children to take part in outings, trips and events with you? Do you carry out regular road safety training with appropriately aged children when the opportunity arises? Have you carried out a recent review of your car (if you have one) and its documentation? For example, checking the car seats are correctly fitted and are appropriate for the child s age, insurance is up-to-date. by: Page 3 of 6

4 Living, sleeping and play areas Toys or equipment Are they clean and do they meet current safety standards? Heat sources Are fireplaces accessible to children? Are radiators too hot to the touch and need protection? Stairs Are the stairs and banisters safe, with access limited to them where appropriate? Dangerous items Are dangerous items such as alcohol, matches, plastic bags or poisonous plants within children s reach? Flooring Are rugs and carpets secure? Doorways and windows Are locks secure? Are fire exits clear? Are curtain cords out of reach? Has all low-level glass been made safe? Electrical items Are electrical sockets accessible to young children? Are leads kept out of children s reach? Page 4 of 6

5 Kitchens, eating areas and utility rooms Pets Are pet food and/or litter trays inaccessible to children? Are pets kept away from food preparation areas? Dangerous items Are knifes, cleaning products, matches etc inaccessible to children? How are children protected from touching the oven while in use? Electrical items Are flexes from kettles, irons accessible? Are washing machines etc made safe? Rubbish Is waste inaccessible to children? Furniture Are children s high chairs in good condition with appropriate safety harness in use? Bathroom Dangerous items Are cleaning fluids, razor blades, toiletries and toilet brushes kept out-of-reach? Fixtures and fittings Are baths, shower trays and floors safe? Do children have correct equipment, such as a step for the sink? Hygiene Are nappies disposed of safely? Do children have their own flannels, towels and sponges? Are these changed regularly? Page 5 of 6

6 Gardens and other outdoor areas Pets and other animals Is the garden free from animal waste? Play equipment Is the outdoors play equipment in good condition? Is play equipment sited on a soft surface in an appropriate area? Are sandpits covered when not in use? Garden furniture Are tables, chairs etc in good condition? Flooring Are paving stones and drainage covers secure? Are steps made safe for young children? Security Are fences and gates secure? Planting Are there any poisonous plants in the garden? Are prickly plants in places where children play? Sheds, garages and outbuildings Are these safe, if children have access to them? Water Are any water sources, including buckets, made inaccessible to children when not under your direct supervision? Page 6 of 6