1.1 Health and Safety

Contents

1.	Designated Co-ordinators
2.	Safety and Security
	2.1	Staff Responsibilities
	2.2	During a play session
3.	Hygiene and Cleanliness
4.	Food Hygiene
5.	Nappy Changing
6.	HIV and Aids and other Illnesses
7.	Child Protection and Abuse
8.	Fire Safety
9.	Other Emergencies
10	Access Control of Visitors/Strangers

1. Designated Co-ordinators

The Manager for each Children's Centre must nominate themselves or a member of staff to be responsible for the following:

• Designated Health and Safety Co-ordinator
• Fire Safety Officer
• First Aid Officer
• Designated Person for Child Protection

It is acceptable for one person to be responsible for more than one role.  If a person, other than the Manager, is designated, the Manager is responsible for supervising their duties

2. Safety and Security

2.1 Staff Responsibilities

Staff should:

• Co-operate fully with their employer ensuring the employer's legal duty on health and safety is carried out.
• As is reasonably practicable to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omission at work.
• Ensure that all activities in or outside the centre are always planned with appropriate levels of supervision and control.
• Ensure that dangerous behaviour by the children is discouraged at all times.
• Ensure that all accidents are reported and recorded as per their instructions.
• Ensure that they attend training
• Ensure that regular fire drills are carried out and recorded.
• Staff will be required to carry out checks as specified.
• Not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare.
• Ensure that adequate training is given to the users of the centre.
• Sign a declaration stating they have read and understood these procedures.

2.2 During a play session

Relevant Procedure: Children's Centres Activities Procedure.

There must be at least two members of staff on site at all times to ensure the supervision of children and the Children's Centre should adhere to the registration guidelines laid down by the Local Authority.  Staff should be aware of the whereabouts of all the children at all times.

When talking to other members of staff or parents, staff should always make sure they can see the children they are supposed to be supervising.  At all times the location of staff members should be known to one another.

3. Hygiene and Cleanliness

The Children's Centre recognises that there is has a duty to set appropriate standards of cleanliness throughout its premises and to maintain these by:

• Maintaining the highest standards of hygiene when preparing snacks. Food preparation and serving surfaces will be kept clean at all times and children should be encouraged to wash their hands before and after eating.  Spillages, debris, litter etc. should be cleared away as soon after the occurrence as possible.
• Maintaining the highest standards of hygiene when administrating First Aid to children with minor injuries, such as cuts and abrasions.  Staff should ensure that waterproof dressings are used and other children do not touch each other's cuts, grazes or any spillage of body fluids.
• Maintaining the highest standards of hygiene when dealing with toilet requirements for children i.e. ensuring that a child washes his/her hands themselves after using the toilet, to ensure cross infection does not occur.
• Toilets, toilet aids and body fluids will be cleaned using appropriately diluted cleaning fluids with the use of disposable gloves.  Cleaning agents must be kept out of reach of children at all times.

COSHH (The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations)

Chemicals are widely used for a variety of processes in Children's Centre and cleaning, and some are extremely hazardous. To comply with these regulations a list will be kept by the Children's Centre of all hazardous or potentially hazardous substances that are used in the Provision. A copy of this list will be maintained on site and should be reviewed on a weekly basis.

In addition to chemicals, all body fluids are to be treated as substances hazardous to health and should be carefully dealt with using protective gloves and materials that can be safely disposed of.

Any person(s) using such chemicals must observe the following guidelines:

• * all substances, which are included on the COSHH list, including bleach and general household chemicals, are to be stored in a safe place preferably under lock and key;
• all hazardous substances e.g. bleach, solvents, glues containing solvents are to be used with care;
• always read the label before use and follow the manufacturer's instructions;
• avoid inhalation, ingestion and skin contact of all chemical substances;
• always wear the appropriate protective clothing e.g. gloves etc.;
• products must never be mixed as this could give rise to hazardous by-products e.g. bleach will give off chlorine gas if mixed with an acidic cleanser such as Harpic;
• Those using the substance must be familiar with the First Aid procedures to be used in the event of an accident.

In the interests of Health and Safety, substances hazardous to health should only be used if there is no less harmful or harmless alternative.

4. Food Hygiene

It is critical for all staff to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to avoid the risk to health.  For further details regarding the good practice dealing with food prepared in the Children's Centre staff should see Milton Keynes Hazard Analysis - Food Principle and Practice.

Staff should inform parents of these practices in the Children's Centre and make sure they have all the relevant details of children's allergies or dietary requirement.

5. Nappy Changing

Staff should ensure the nappy changing area is clean and comfortable.  Parents should provide all relevant equipment for nappy changing. If staff are responsible for nappy changing they must wear the correct protective clothing, for example disposable apron and gloves.  Staff must interact with the child whilst changing the nappy. Staff should dispose of all protective clothing and nappy into the nappy bin.  

6.HIV and Aids and Other Illnesses

A child who is HIV antibody positive or who has AIDS poses no threat to other people's health when high standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained.  Although present in blood, the virus dies soon after contact with the air.  There is no chance of HIV or AIDS spread through sneezes, sharing cups or spoons, swimming pools or toilet seats, etc.  Playing with or touching a person who is HIV positive or who has AIDS is perfectly safe and there is no evidence to suggest that the virus has ever passed from one person to another through normal day to day social contact.

Parents/Guardians informing the Children's Centre that their child is HIV positive or has Hepatitis B is assured that such information will only be shared with others on a 'need to know basis'

7. Child Protection and Abuse

Relevant Procedures:

• Children's Centres Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedure.
• Milton Keynes Safeguarding Children and Child Protection

Each Centre should have a Designated Person for Child Protection.

The protection of children in the care of the Children's Centre is first priority and the Children's Centre undertake to follow the appropriate procedures if cases of abuse are suspected.

In cases where a child protection allegation is made against a member of staff, he/she may be suspended for the duration of the investigation.

8. Fire Safety

Each Centre should have a Designated Fire Officer

It is the Children's Centre responsibility for ensuring that precautions are taken against fire through routine maintenance of fire safety equipment and by reviewing and posting emergency fire procedures in the building. 

It is the duty of all staff to co-operate in the implementation of this policy and the No Smoking Policy (see Children's Centres Drugs and Substances Procedure).

All regulations as set by Fire Officers will be adhered to and a fire drill practice will be held every six weeks, conducted and recorded by the Fire Officer.

The following points will be observed:

• Fire exits and corridors should  be free of hazards and obstructions
• Fire exits must not be locked
• Fire exits should be clearly indicated with fire notices
• Fire drills should  be held regularly and recorded
• Fire extinguishers should be inspected and mounted at the recommended height
• There will be no frayed flexes
• Matches and flammable material will be safely stored
• No smoking will be allowed on the Children's Centre premises

The following fire drill procedures will be clearly displayed in each room used in the Children's Centre

In case of fire - fire drill practice - the following instructions should be strictly adhered to:

• * All children should immediately stop what they are doing and form an orderly queue at the designated door
• Staff should then escort the children out of the building to the designated meeting point.
• The Fire Officer will check that the building is empty before going outside and will take with them the Emergency Contacts Folder.
• A designated staff member will take the register to ensure that all children and staff are safely outside.
• In the case of a real fire the assistant fire drill officer will summon the fire brigade and therefore will take charge of the mobile phone.
• The drill should be timed and once back inside the building the drill should be logged by the Fire Officer.

9. Other Emergencies

When children are not on the Children's Centre premises, staff members should be aware of potential emergencies such as unwelcome adults or older children, sudden weather changes, etc. and follow predefined contingency plans to ensure the children's safety.

10. Access Control of Visitors/Strangers

No unauthorised, unknown adults and children or non-employed staff are to be allowed access the Children's Centre without being supervised by one of the Children's Centres permanent staff.

The Children's Centre staff must get all visitors to sign the Visitors Book on arrival and departure.

End