Task 3 Essay

Submitted By michaelapalmer
Words: 3032
Pages: 13

Michaela Palmer

Task 3.4 – Support Children and Young People’s Health and Safety.

Describe the factors to take into account when planning healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environments and services. – What and how do you do this?

Every child has a right to feel safe, secure and protected from harm. One of the main responsibilities is to help the children / young people whom we work with accomplish this. When we are planning and preparing the environment we must always take into account the safety, hygiene, comfort and security of those who will be using it.

An environment can be any area, inside or outside which is used for activities. a general social area such as a playroom / TV lounge
A kitchen used to prepare meals an outside area such as a playground or sports field

All children and young people should be given equal opportunities and this needs to be remembered in the care environment. All young people, including those with special needs, need to be considered when planning the learning environment. The environment may need to be changed or adapted for the needs of particular children.

Factors to be considered for indoor environments include:
Space – is there enough space or room for the pupils to achieve what they should, does furniture need moving.
Accessibility – if a pupil is in a wheelchair they need to have as much access to facilities as others.
Light – may need to be adjusted accordingly if a child or young person is visually impaired
Sound – some young people may be sensitive to sound, for example, a child on the autistic spectrum. It may not always be possible for noises to be avoided however as a short break unit worker we need to be aware of the effect they can have on pupils

Whilst outdoors we would need to consider:
Space – is there enough space or room for the young person to achieve what they should, if the garden area was too small for the use of equipment (the parachute for example) then we would need to move to a bigger area.
Weather – does the weather permit us to carry out an activity, the garden may be icy, too cold or if it was covered with snow
Security – is the outdoor environment safe, could young people wander off, are there enough adults workers to supervise the young people, is the area safe for the activity
Appropriate clothing – the young people may need different clothing for an activity, wellies if they are gardening or sunhats when outside in summer
Cleanliness – is the area clean, is it free of litter and animal excreta

Explain how health and safety is monitored and maintained and how people in the work setting are made aware of risks and hazards and encouraged to work safely.

To be able to recognise and manage risks to children and young people’s health, safety and security, including:
Demonstrate how to identify potential hazards to the health, safety and security of children and young people.
Demonstrate how to deal with hazards to minimise risks to the health and safety of children and young people.
Demonstrate ways of supporting children and young people to take responsibility for their own health, safety and security.
Be able to respond to emergency situations, including:
Recognise and respond to emergency situations.
Follow the setting’s procedures for dealing with emergency situations.
Give reassurance and comfort to those involved in the emergency.
Give other people providing assistance clear information about what has happened.
Follow the procedures of the setting for reporting and recording accidents and emergencies

Identify sources of current guidance for planning healthy and safe environments and services.

There are many different factors which include:
The individual needs, age and abilities of the children and young people.
Specific risks to individuals such as pregnancy, sensory impairments.
The needs of carers where relevant.
The function and purpose of environments and services offered.
The duty of care.
Desired outcomes for the children and