Contribute to Children and Young People’s Health and Safety

Introduction: Children are learning by exploring but what young children are not aware of are the different types of dangers that come along with exploring. Its important children are encouraged to explore and become more independent by playing activities and games ether solo playing or group playing, it’s also very important the career of the children are making sure they are protected at all times from any form of danger, to ensure children do not come across any sort of danger a risk assessment is to be undertaken so children can adapted to the right equipment needed to help them to learn and find new things out.

Learning outcome 1. 1 Health and safety laws and policy names House of Happiness. It’s important you understand and know these laws for the safety and protection of yourself and others, they also tell you the limits to what your allowed and not allowed to do with a child in a given situation e. g. if a child is hurt. It’s also important you know the procedures of what to do in the situation to make it safe for the child and what to do if you do not have a first aid certificate, and when communicating with a parents you have to know what you’re allowed to say and not say about their child this is also where you must know the laws on confidentiality. It’s important you ask your settings about their policy.

The Health and social at work act 1974| Health and safety policy | The control of substance at work hazard to health 2002| All substances store away policy | Reporting of injuries and dangerous diseases or occurrences regulations 1995 | Reporting injuries and dangers policy | The manual handling operations regulations 1992| Manual handling policy | Child car seat act 2006| Child/people safety policy | The safeguarding children and vulnerable people act 2004| CRB policy | The children act 2004,2010Data protection act 1998| Confidentiality and information policy | Fire safety 2002| Fire policy |. Food safety 1990| Food preparation and good hygiene policy | The EYFS 2012| Staff ration policy |

1. 2 – identify Lines of reporting health and safety problems Learning outcome Talking to the right person about reporting for health and safety is one of the most important things when working with children and young people, every staff member is should be highly aware of what types of things should be reporting and whom to go to when reporting such an incident in the working place, so the correct procedures can be followed through to ensure all staff and child/young people’s safety.

Health and safety concern | Member of staff to inform | What you should do | If a child or adult needs first aid attention| Person in charge of the class to get a first aider | Should always follow he first aid procedures –policy | If a child is feeling unwell | Go to the person in charge or a first aider | Should always follow standard procedures | If a child is allergic to a certain food | Must tell the teacher | Follow the food safety policy | In case of a fire | Tell a leader of member of staff | Follow the fire safety law which ensures everyone safety | If a child has gone missing from the nursery | Tell the leader of a member of staff | Follow the law, and to ensure safety to the other nursery children|.

If someone other child’s parent has come to pick up the child with theirs | Room Leader, the LSA or a teacher | Follow the Safeguarding policy at all times| HOUE OF HAPPYNESS STRUCTURE AND LINE OF REPORTING OF HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES. Manager| Jessica roger– RGN, RHV | Deputy Manager, Monday – Wednesday| Leonia smith– BSc Early Years| Deputy Manager, Thursday and Friday| Charlotte Johnston – Foundation Diploma in Early Years| Room one – leader| Kieran potter– Level 3 practitioner | Room Two – Leader| Sahara newman– Level 3 1st aider| Room Three – Leader| Scarlett Harrison – BTEC Level 3 Practitioner| Room one – Assistant| Harrison jent – Level 2 practitioner| Room Two – Assistant| Charlie jackson – Level 3 Practitioner| Room Three – Assistant| Henry rowen– Level 2 practitioner| General Secretary| Sutton james| Cook| Jamie Lewis | Caretaker| Brian moat |.

Example: if a child has any allergies to cretin food and has told the head teacher of the school, all staff will be informed of this information and the members of the cooking staff will NOT cook or make any food with the ingredients that the child is allergic to. E. g. pea nuts.

Learning outcome 1. 3

Risk Assessment information and examples It’s Essential that any staff working in a nursery completes a risk assessment for al activities, at the house of happiness we do risk assessments on all activities ensure the safety of children at our nursery. Young children do not see danger when exploring and playing with new things, so it’s very important that all staff members of careers of the children to undertake a risk assessment, which may affect themselves of the children’s health and safety.

All risk assessments are to be checked by a qualified member of staff to ensure the safety of the children and the if the nursery meets the quality’s that of the children’s needs. The risk assessments will all be stored in a contained and backup in the appropriate folder at the general office. Here is an example of a nursery risk assessment: Learning outcome 3. 1 Non medical incidents and emergencies In any nursery incidents and emergencies can happen at anytime for a member of staff or a child. All children are supported once playing outside or taken anywhere off site.

Examples: A person who has come onto the grounds of the nursery without permission. If a fire is to happen anywhere within the grounds of the nursery or within the nursery. When any member of staff or child is not following the health and safety guidelines. Or if some children get competitive in the playground and start to physically hurt each other. If any of these non medical incidents or emergencies happens any member of staff seeing it must report it right away to ensure the safety of themselves, other members of staff and the rest of the children

OUTLINE THE ACTIONS TO TAKE IN RESPONSE TO THE FOLLOWING

• Fires
• Security incidents
• Emergency incidents

INCIDENT ACTION FIRE

It is important that if a member of staff discovers a fire that they follow the Fire Policy and do the following:

• Raise the Fire Alarm and ring the Fire Brigade (giving them the correct location of the fire)
• Get help from another member of staff
• Follow the Fire Policy procedures to get adults and children to a safe place
• Insure that children are kept calm and comforted
• Do not go back into the building unless you are told to do so by the Fire Brigade

SECURITY INCIDENTS

It is important that if a security incident occurs that ALL staff follow the Safeguarding Policy and do the following:- * Inform the Room Leader or next in the reporting line of the incident concern * If it is a missing child, look for the child ensuring that the other children are kept safe and calm.

• Inform the parents and the police
• If it is a stranger in the building, inform the manager or next in the reporting line and follow the nursery policy

EMERGENCY INCIDENTS

When a member of staff discovers or witnesses an emergency incident it is important that they follow the Health and Safety Policy correctly and follow the line of reporting. They should:

• Inform the appropriate person in the line of reporting
• If necessary remove the children away from the problem and comfort them if necessary
• Inform the appropriate emergency service

IDENTIFY NON-MEDICAL INCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES THAT MAY OCCUR IN THE WORK SETTING.

Incidents and emergency Health and Safety problems can arise during/at any time while working in a nursery or at your placement, ether inside the building or whilst caring for the children to playground outside or on a trip somewhere. Here are just some examples of Non Medical incidents and emergencies that need to be reported to the assigned person:

1. Child/children that goes missing during/from a nursery setting or whilst in a group that has gone outside for a trip.
2. A person who has entered the building without permission
3. A member of staff is seen abusing a child or doing any form of physical action on a child that is not allowed.
4. A member of staff is not following the nursery Health and Safety Policy
5. Two children have a fight, or two members of staff are having a argument.

However it’s very important that ALL staff are reporting these non medical incidents and emergencies as soon as they have been seen, or as soon as possible so that the children, yourself and other members of staff are in a safe environment. Security incidents At no time should there be any unauthorised person in a child care setting.

Alot settings have an alert system if doors are opened or a very loud sound alarm. Anyone who does not work in the setting are promoted to sign in the visitor book and wear an appropriate badge that says ‘visitor’ If you come across someone you do not recognise who is not wearing an identification badge you should do the following:

• Ask the person to see their identification
• If they cannot produce one, notify a member of staff immediately
• Stay with the person until help arrives if not in danger If a child goes missing

A child should never ever go missing while in the care of a residential setting, if all the missing person policy and procedures are being followed Steps to avoid children from leaving a secure and safe environment, If a child did go missing the following should be undertaken:

• Make sure all the other children are safe and with responsible adults
• Making sure any external exits are secure
• Inform the person in charge
• Start a systematic search of the premises, based upon where and with whom the child was last seen, making sure all areas are covered
• Inform the child’s parents
• Inform the local police

Fire drill practice In every primary school and nursery there will be a fire policy alarm, so that the child and staff can all get familiarised with the drill.

1. Have a practice Fire Drill every three months
2. If there are problems when having this drill repeat the drill and refer to a Fire Officer to give advice
3. Reassure the children during a practice by staying calm and explaining what is happening
4. Praise the children and thank them for their help in carrying out the practice
5. Provide an absorbing activity, such as reading a story or playing a game following a drill to help the children to settle down quickly

MEDICAL INCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES

Allergies If a child has allergies you must be very careful with what you wear, eat, touch and smell e. g. perfume, body spray. If a child was to allergic to any medical aid equipment like antiseptic wipes, cretin plasters and bandages this is because the child can have ether a mild or serious reaction to them. During lunch and snack times its also very important the child does not eat anything they are allergic to or is touched by anyone else that has eaten something the child is allergic to there are many food and drink allergies likes nuts, orange juice. This is also where the food safety act of 1990 comes it this is to make sure all foods and preparation of the food is at a high stranded of good hygiene for the child and anyone else; this can also prevent any food positioning.

So at all times you must make sure the environment is safe and clean for the child to help prevent any incidents towards the child What you do in case of an allergic reaction:

• Call 1st aider
• Asses symptoms and signs of the situation (Swelling of the body, discolouration to the face or skin etc. )
• Go get a first aider as they are trained and prepared for this type of situation
• If the case is severe you must call an ambulance
• Let the parents know of the situation with their child
• Report and record accident in the accident book
• Some signs of allergic reactions
• Rash over the skin
• Tightening of the air ways
• Difficulty breathing
• Shock
• Anxiety or panic.

Make sure you ask your setting for the policies so you know and understand what to do in a situation like this. In case of a break

1. Get to the child as quickly and quietly as possible, reassure them and asses their situation e. g. their signs and symptoms
2. Call for a first aider promptly
3. If possible not causing further damage to the child move them to a quiet place and away from other children
4. Call for an ambulance if a first aider asks you to
5. If a break is suspected or an allergic reaction has happened you MUST call the guardians or parent of the child and tell them of the given situation with their child
6. Write the incident in the accident book
7. BUT even if the incident is not severe you MUST still call and inform their parents/guardians about it so they can keep an eye out for if the child is showing more symptoms or sign of distresses.

Severe head injury and other emergency incidents It very important that whatever head injury a child comes across that it is check over, if the child comes across a severe head you MUST always get a first aider never wait longer than you have to because a head bang can cause serious brain damage, or damage any nerves in the drain which can control any part of the body. If you in the playground or in your setting, and you come across a child with a severe head injury you must follow all the setting emergency policy,

1. Take child to a quite area to a first aider if not possible call the first aider to come to the child and clear the space around the child.
2. Asses the signs and symptoms of the child and reassure them if they are still conscious
3. Call an ambulance to come to the scene of the accident, give them a description of what’s happened to the child, the address the child is at.
4. Inform the parents/guardians as soon as possible and tell them about the child’s situation
5. Record the accident in the accident book

Some symptoms of a severe head injury are:

1. Severe cuts/ bleeding from the head, ear and mouth
2. Feeling sick or dizzy
3. Loss of sight
4. Feeling anxiety or panic
5. Large dilated pupils
6. Severe and constant headache
7. Feeling tired/sleepy

A child will not always show signs of a severe head injury until it has done further damage to the brain or the very unfortunate case if a child does not show signs of a head damage it can often lead to permanent damage or even worse. If a child does show signs or symptoms of a head injury they can be any of the following:

1. Purple/red rash which will not disappear even if s glass is rolled over the patch of skin this method is similar to meningitis.
2. High fever
3. Any part of the body can feel stiff or have floppiness
4. Vomiting
5. Does not like bright lights
6. Feeling wheezy, dizzy or very light headed

There are many different forms, BUT however any serious emergency incident MUST be attended to as quickly and calmly as possible, some examples are:

1. Meningitis
2. Heart disease
3. Eye health
4. Skin problems and many more.

Epilepsy and Seizures

These fits can happen at anytime some, happen because of too much light, noise or paranoia. Epileptic fits can be very scary and not nice to see for anybody, if a child suffers from epilepsy there will be a care plan in place at the placement this forms apart of the emergency medical incidents policy that you must follow at all times. Some children can have a fit if they have a high temperature.

If you see a child having a fit you should always do the following:

1. Get to the child as quickly and calmly as possible asses the signs and symptoms of the childs state, if possible reassure them
2. Call a first aider quickly
3. Ensure there s nothing around them to hurt them
4. Make sure the child is in a safe space of environment
5. Do not try to stop the fit, let them proceed through it till its over 1st aider use EpiPen .
6. If the first aider asks you to call for an ambulance (999) then do so as quickly as possible
7. Contact parents/guardians to inform them of the child’s state and what’s happened, to ether go to the hospital or pick the child up.
8. Record the incident in the accident book.

You Must always follow the procedure of the policy for this situation. Chocking Signs of choking:

1. Collapsing
2. Blue tinge to the lips face or any other part of the body that air cannot get to
3. Differently breathing
4. Wheezing
5. Light headed
6. Headache

The procedure for is a child is chocking:

1. Get to the child as quickly and calmly asses the signs and symptoms of the child’s state, reassure them
2. MUST call for a first aider immediately
3. Reassure the child whilst moving them to a safe environment that’s quiet
4. If the first aider asks you to call for an ambulance (999)
5. Call the parents/guardian and inform them about the child’s state
6. Record in accident book.

If a child is not seen to in time whilst chocking it can cause severe damage as when chocking the air ways close off and stop the air getting to the brain causing the child to feeling dizzy and light headed, if this is stil untreated this can lead to coma’s or worse so its very important that a child is seen to a quickly and calmly as possible and that all actions are followed as the settings policy plan says. Procedures for dealing with any serious medical emergencies During a child’s accident at a nursery its vital you follow their policies to whatever the incident may be.

1.  Go over to the child/children and asses the situation, the signs and symptoms then reassure the child/children
2. MUST call for a first aider who will also asses the signs and symptoms allowing them mechanism of the injury, when and where it happened
3. Move the child away from a public area to a more quiet and safe environment
4. Reassure the child again
5. Inform the parents/guardians about the situation of the child and the state they are in and if they are going to hospital.
6. Must write incident in the accident book

Asthma: It’s very important that adults know if a child is asthmatic as it can do very serious damage to the child’s health if they are not told and given the appropriate medication If an asthma attack was to be in place the signs for it are:

• Difficulty breathing
• Blue ting to face, lips and fingertips
• Collapsing
• Severe wheezing
• Constant coughing
• Tightened neck and chest muscles called retractions
• Feeing anxiety or panic
• Rapid breathing.

In any placement you there are always policies, you will also be told if a child has any illnesses for the safety of yourself and other, however along with knowing a child’s illness comes confidentiality. In order to keep a child safe during an asthma attack is to make sure the child is in a safe and clear environment, reassure a child, get a first aider. Then the first aider will take over in helping the child in the situation. You must:

• Go over to child as quickly but calmly as possible, comfort them, asses the signs and symptoms of the child state.
• Call for a first aider, who will give the child their medication (inhaler)
• If the child does not processed in getting better during the situation then a ambulance must be called.
• Contact parents and inform them their child has had an asthma attack.
• Record in accident book.

At all times you must follow the child’s care plan and emergency policy whilst at your setting if a child does have asthma you must not:

• Spray anything near them
• Let the child near loads of dust
• Do not let the child overexert themselves in physical activities

A child with asthma should be watched closely. Signs and symptoms of different types of medical and emergencies incidents

• Falling on the concrete, or any other setting
• Bumps and sprains from being silly or by accident
• Cuts and bruises from being silly or accident sometimes on purpose
• Choking and fevers
• Cold and flu the general illness amongst everyone
• Asthma attacks
• Getting an allergic reaction to ether the environment/clothing/ chemicals.

All of these can lead to serious accidents for a child and adults or could cause any harm to the people around them, it can also lead to absent day, attitude changes and much more. Many other sign of medical incidents and emergencies are:

• bleeding from a dangers area e. g head, main arteries and deep wounds
• vomiting or diarrhoea can cause serious bowl damage/ organs

And many more serious and minor problems. Symptoms

1. Abdominal Pain
2. Feeling sick
3. Headache
4. Dizziness
5. Blurred vision

Having the signs is different from having symptoms as, having symptoms can just mean you have an illness but having signs means you should get check out by a doctor as it could be very serious and dangerous for yourself. Minor medical and emergencies incidents. Whilst at you placement (nurseries, infant school, etc.. ) you should know and understand their medical incidents and emergencies policy, this is because if any incident was to happen during your company to a child, it’s very important you follow their policy given to the situation. However if you do not have a paediatric first aider qualification you cannot assist in helping the child as you do not have the experienced dealing with very serious medical incidents or minor emergencies, this is because you are not fully aware if the child had any allergies or medical problems (for example allergic to antiseptic wipes) that a first aider could be aware of.

This is an example of what a paediatric first aid qualification certificate looks like, and it MUST be up to date. Procedures for dealing with serious medical emergencies, is to immediately report to a first aider because if you wait you can put the child, yourself and others at more risk, you should always get a first aider so they can follow the medical emergencies policy for their workplace. You should dial 999 if an ambulance is ask for, give them the signs and symptoms of the child’s given situation and the address the child is situated at, after you have done this you must contact the guardian or parents of this child as soon as possible to let them know what is going on.

References:

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• Unkovich, Murray, et al. Measuring plant-associated nitrogen fixation in agricultural systems. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), 2008.