Level 3 Award In Supporting Teaching and Learning Assignment Sample

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Unit 2 – Support Health and Safety in a Learning Environment

Outcomes 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 - By the end of these outcomes, you will be able to understand how to plan and provide environments that support children and young people’s health and safety

1.1 Identify legislation in relation to health and safety in a learning environment

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Level 3 Award In Supporting Teaching and Learning Assignment Sample

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Jude Barrow 5 Years | MSc

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 sets out the common duties for employers, requiring them to comply with essential safety regulations. According to the Act, employers must provide a safe workplace, ensure the use of safe equipment, offer proper training to employees, and maintain adequate facilities (Acheampong and Kemp, 2022). Employers are also responsible for conducting risk assessments to establish preventative strategies for identified hazards. Under the Health and Safety Act, COSHH further evaluates risks arising from the use of hazardous substances, supporting organisations in maintaining a safe working environment. For students studying this area, accessing Online Assignment Help in UK can assist in understanding these legal frameworks more effectively.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

The Regulations were created to strengthen the Health and Safety at Work Act. It places responsibilities on employers and workers including clients, contractors etc. (Stiles, Golightly and Ryan, 2021). Risk assessment is primary duty of management of Health and Safety in order to discover possible hazards to safety and wellbeing of workers and other people who may be impacted from work activity. According to act, the school should appoint one experienced person to supervise and help in all health and safety related matters.

Workplace Regulations 1992

Workplace Regulations 1992 specified general necessities on accommodation standards for almost all workplaces across United Kingdom. It involves large range of basic health, welfare and protection issues (Hua et al, 2023). Some basic requirements are proper ventilation, satisfactory temperature, proper lighting, room space, cleanliness and hygiene, seating arrangements, sanitary facilities, clean water for drinking, accommodation and facilities for rest.

RIDDOR – Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013

RIDDOR is a law which needs employers as well as other persons in charge of work places, to report and maintain records while there has been an incident that caused harm (Searle, 2023). Work related incidents and illness, dangerous occurrences at work and gas incidents must be reported by people. Additionally, the day of incident is not involved in seven day period. It is crucial to report immediately about the dangerous occurrences. Deaths and injuries to non-workers must be reported without any delay.

Management and Storage of Medicines – Children and Families Act 2014 Section 100

Section 100 under the Children and Families Act sets out duty on regulating bodies of preserved schools, academic proprietors and management committees related to pupil referral units to create provisions for supporting students with medical conditions at school (Ting, Youhua and Xiaojun, 2023). It makes sure that institutions perform statutory duty to make provisions so that students have full access to education, physical education as well as school trips. According to act, in an emergency situation all educators and other faculty members in charge of students, have a general law duty of care to make sure safety of children.

1.2 Describe the factors to consider when planning healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environment (Minimum of 4 factors needs to be described)

1. As a teaching assistant, they have duty of care to make sure safety of all students.

The individual needs: It is most important for the teaching assistant to consider individual needs of pupils when they plan outdoor and indoor activities. Students come from different background and have diverse needs and may need different considerations regarding health. Teacher must ensure that activities are suitable for each student that help to improve learning while offering safety. By getting education in safe environment, pupils feel secure (Kiviranta et al, 2024).

Sensory Impairment: A student with sensory impairment (visually and hearing impairment) needs etc. care. A teacher should focus on pupils with sensory impairment and plan activities that help those (Ma et al, 2021). Teaching assistant should focus on different things such as; seating arrangements, lighting, food and drink facilities and sanitary facilities etc. If teacher provide make better arrangements then sensory impaired students can enhance their learning journey. While utilising outdoor environment for conducting activities, a teacher ensures that things around children with disability do not harm. Risk assessment must be performed before planning outdoor activities.

Specific risks: Teaching assistant should find out and assess any particular risks to students, like allergies, mobility limitations as well as medical conditions. This kind of students requires additional attention. Teaching assistant must consider health and safety needs of students whether it is related to any school project or school trips. By considering specific risks, teacher can provide quality education.

Environment: Teaching assistant require taking into account layout as well as design of outdoor or indoor environments. Teacher should perform the risk assessment in order to identify any kind of potential threats and or risks present in indoor and outdoor environment. Through risk assessment before planning activities, teaching assistant can prevent the accidents and injuries from happening and they can take corrective actions if they find any risk (Xiong and He, 2024).

1.3 Explain how health and safety is monitored and maintained in the learning environment

Each school needs to appoint site manager or facilities manager so that they can make sure that indoor and outdoor places of school are safe. The manager can perform this on daily basis in order to ensure that there are no threats and risks which can cause accidents. A site or facilities manager can do this through:

Outcomes 2.1 - By the end of these outcomes you will understand how to recognise and manage risks to health, safety, and security in a learning environment or during off-site visits

2.1 Give examples of potential risks and hazards in a learning environment

There are various types of possible risks and hazards within learning environment such as;

• Security issues: It covers risks like unidentified people getting access to school premise that can create risky situations. It also involves ineffective tracking of who enters and exists the school. It is crucial for school to set up security cameras to find unauthorised people.
• Fire safety: Insufficient fire exists; no fire alarms as well as loose electrical wiring can lead to fire related risks. Usage of candles and nay other flammable products must be avoided. A school must regular check the fire extinguishers.
• Food safety: Lack of awareness regarding food allergies can pose severe health related risks (Curtius, Granzin and Schrod, 2021). It is most important for staff of the school to detect the food related allergies so that they can reduce the life-threatening incidents.
• Psychological risks: Emotional as well as psychological risk can result from mistreatment or bullying amid peers. It can put life of students in danger and can also increase mental health issues. High academic pressure and negative environment of classroom can also considered as risks in learning environment.
• Off-site risks: Uneven ground as well as playground equipment which is not maintained well can create risks. Lack of barriers on pathways can also lead to accidents and injuries.
• Slips, trips and falls: Most common incidents which take place in school premises are falls, slips and trips. It can cause injuries, so it is most important for the school management to try to reduce this kind of risks.
• Laboratory safety: Science classrooms or laboratory can contain several different risks from harmful chemicals to burners. A laboratory in-charge must make sure that harmful substances and apparatus are appropriately stored (Craig et al, 2024).

Outcomes 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 - By the end of these outcomes you will understand how to support children and young people to assess and manage risk for themselves

3.1 Explain why it is important to take a balanced approach to risk management

Risk management is the procedure of discovering, evaluating and controlling risks. It is a crucial function of school and assists to make sure that activities are performed safely and efficiently. A balanced approach refers to the procedure where students are permitted to take risks but protection and safety are in place to mitigate harm as much as is logically possible. All people take risks in their life, and it is essential for children and young people to learn how to assess and handle risk. Though, it must be handled in a safe manner (Rossi et al, 2021). Through taking balanced approach, early years providers can offer opportunity to children to learn regarding risk along with how to stay safe and protected while still letting them to enjoy things and explore surroundings. Allowing students to take calculated risks will be helpful to build self-esteem of child.

Balanced approach allow children to handle risk at own level which further increase their confidence level as they use different ways to manage risks. Playing outside is risky for children but teachers must allow them to take part in outdoor activities as it will help to improve their physical and mental abilities. Rather than refusing outdoor activities, a balanced approach must be considered. It would include applying safety measures, like direction and using safe and well-maintained playground equipment. A teacher should teach children regarding safe play manners and behaviours. Risk assessments require to be documented and revised constantly to make sure their relevance and value (Woodley, Green and Jacques, 2024). A management might perform annual reviews of risk assessments so that they can change in environment. This practical method facilitates school stay attentive to evolve risks.

3.2 Explain the dilemma between the rights and choices of children and young people, and health and safety requirements

The dilemmas or problems between rights and decisions of children and young people and health and safety needs are a complex problem. From one angle, children and young people have right to take decisions which impact their lives. On the contrary, there is health and safety related requirements formulated to safeguard children from danger and making balance between these two facets can be difficult. Children have right to take part in decision-making process which influence them, express their opinions and thoughts and involve in play and entertaining activities. Health and safety needs help to secure children from danger (Riddell and Tisdall, 2021). It may involve: direction throughout activities and provide safe indoor and outdoor environments for learning and playing. The problem happens when rights and choices of children conflict with requirements related to health and safety.

For instance, a child wish to climb a tree which is their choice but it may be against rules as it involves the risks of falls. Children cannot only learn inside classroom. To grow they have to go out and participate in outdoor activities to increase their learning. They have rights under United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and should develop ability to handle own risks. In this situation, children must be permitted to take calculated risks so that they can learn and grow at the same time their safety must always be a top most priority. It needs careful decision as well as understanding about abilities of each child (Water, 2024). School or other education institutions like colleges should make sure that they are providing a balanced curriculum to increase the capability of children and young people to manage risks.

3.3 Give examples of ways to support children and young people to assess and manage risk in a learning environment

There are a range of examples needed for children and young people to learn to evaluate and manage their own risks.

• Cooking: Home is the first place where children can learn how to identify and manage risks. Parents can involve their children in cooking and give responsibility to do small things. At first, they will face difficulties to manage cooking related work but over time they will be able to handle related risks at own level. It is crucial for parents to guide them during the activity.
• Climbing frames: Encourage children to join the activities which involve some factors of risk like climbing, swinging etc. Climbing frame is playground equipment on which children can climb and sit (Wong et al, 2021). Activities like climbing, sliding, swinging etc. involve risks of falls but it also helps to develop their motor skills.
• School trips: Many parents do not give permission to children for school trips because of risks. But it is crucial for parents to allow children for trips. By going on trips they will not only enjoy things but also explore their surroundings. Teachers give children chance to make choices regarding how they play.
• Crossing the Road: Allow children to cross roads is quite risky but it is also vital for them to learn how to cross roads. Otherwise, they always feel fear when it comes to cross roads. Parents should guide their children while this activity, it will surely help them.
• Technology: Nowadays, children are using the technology for different purpose like learning, playing games etc. Although, it also involves risks like cyberbullying, but keeping children away from technology is not good option. Instead, parents or teachers can allow children to utilise technology under their supervision.

Outcomes 4.1, 4.2 - By the end of these outcomes you will understand appropriate responses to accidents, incidents, emergencies, and illness in the learning environment and during off-site visits

4.1 Explain the policies and procedures of the learning environment in response to accidents, incidents, emergencies, and illness

Policies

• RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) 2013: It is a law for accidents in the workplaces (Tolson, 2021). According to law, employers need to report about accidents when it is related to work.
• Child safeguardingpolicies: These regulations are designed to protect the health, wellbeing as well as rights of children (Horton, 2023). It allows children to live free from damage and abuse.
• The Children’s Act 2004: The act created legal framework for protection as well as care of children (Averett, 2021). Children act considers a child-centred approach and involves universal and specialist services.

Procedures

Accidents

All kind of accidents in school premises, regardless of severity, should be reported quickly to relevant authority. Trained staff needs to give first aid which is essential in accident cases. Inform about accident to parents is crucial, particularly if medical service is required. After accident, authority needs to review reasons behind accidents to prevent recurrence.

Incidents

It involves behavioural problems, near misses or situation which does not include physical harm. Irrespective of severity, all incidents need to be documented utilising incident form and include time, place and people involved along with explanation (Rajabi, Taghaddos and Zahrai, 2022). Investigation is required to find causes and right responses. Then, staff must utilise findings to apply measures to prevent incidents from happening in future.

Emergencies

Under child safeguarding policy, it is required for school management to develop comprehensive plan which involve procedure for different incidents like fire, medical emergencies etc. Designated authority needs to use evacuation procedures and regular training for staff is required. Management should determine how information can be shared in emergency.

Illness

For illness, institutions have guidelines to handle situations from minor sicknesses to serious health issues. Faculty are trained to identify signs of common diseases and know when to direct pupils to medical professionals. School usually have policies regarding communicable diseases, including instructions for when students must stay home because of illness.

4.2 Explain the correct procedures for recording and reporting accidents, incidents, injuries, signs of illness and other emergencies

Accidents

School should appoint the first aider so that they can evaluation of situation and make sure that an individual involved in accident is safe and getting appropriate care. Report about accident to relevant authority like manager or overseer and record the accident in book or online system are required. Designated person should investigate accident to identify cause.

Incidents

Assess situation and make sure a person who faced incident is safe and get proper care is first step. After that, a person who noticed the incident should report to faculty member and designated person who will record incident with date, time and place in incident book or electronic platform. They must maintain privacy during process.

Injuries

Relevant management or authority who is responsible for injuries must examine the indications that can cause harm and give quick treatment. In the case of injuries, the quick response is necessary to make sure the wellbeing and protection of the sufferer. If necessary, administrator should give the first aid to reduce the chances of further risks and issues. They should record all details in book or on online platforms and conduct formal investigations to detect actual reasons (Haghi, Benis and Deserno, 2022). At last step, manager is required analyse the policies as well as risks assessments to reduce injuries in future. It is responsibility of the school to inform the parents about injury faced by their child.

Signs of Illness

When in classrooms, a sign of illness occurs then teacher must look at the situation first and provide necessary help. After that, it is their responsibility to report about elected person who is responsible for student’s health and safety. In emergency case, management must take quick action and inform parents about their child’s health. At last, illness must be documented in book.

Other Emergencies

Provide instant help is the first action which needs to be taken by person who was presented at the time of emergency. After addressing issue, record necessary details are crucial. It is also needed to notify regarding emergency situation to health and safety management. Last phase is analysis of circumstances that help to prevent emergencies from recurring.

Outcomes 5.1, 5.2 - By the end of these outcomes you will understand own role in assisting in the administration of medication

5.1 Outline the organisational policies and procedures for the management of the administration of medication

Organisational policies with procedures for the administrative management of medication are put in place to make sure secure and effective utilisation of medicine in healthcare settings. Some general policies and procedures are:

• Medication management policy: The policy summaries the overall standards and goals for secure and effective medication management in organisation. The main aim of this policy is to makes sure that all faculty members are aware of their duties in relation with medication administration. It helps to maintain the health and safety of children in the school.
• Controlled drug policy: The policy precisely addresses the direction and management of controlled substances. It involves ways for storing, provision and recording controlled drugs or medicines (Luokkamäki et al, 2021). Controlled drug policy also includes guidelines or instructions for observing and stopping misuse of drugs.
• Order verification process: The procedure makes sure that each medication order are appropriately verified with the recommending healthcare professionals before supervision or administration. It involves areas like inspection of medication orders for maintaining accuracy as well as clarifying any kind of ambiguous, vague and incomplete information. It is also crucial for the professionals to carry out the process carefully so that they can improve health and safety management in the organisation.
• Staff training and learning policy: Training and competency of staff members is required to uphold the health and safety within the school. The policy shapes the needs for staff training and ability within medication administration. It makes sure that each and every member of staff are sufficiently trained, well-informed and skilled to manage medicines and drugs safely. Without training staff could not be able to administer medication which could adversely impact the health and safety.
• Medication mistake reporting and counteractive action policy: The policy motivates staff members to make report regarding any kind of medication mistakes as well as near misses quickly. Moreover, it specifies the procedure for inspecting the incident, applying remedial actions and finding out chances for improvement.

5.2 Describe your own responsibilities and accountabilities in relation to the administration of medication

As a responsible member of medication administration, there are some key responsibilities and accountability which need to be taken into account to make sure the protection and wellbeing of people while receiving care.

Understanding protocols related to medication: As an administrator, It is my duty to know about the particular medication protocols, instructions and guidelines created from healthcare authorities. I should aware about guidelines related to dosage of medicines, timing etc.

Preparation and confirmation: I have to makes sure that correct medication is arranged according to prescription. Confirm the patient’s identity in order to prevent any kind of medication error is crucial otherwise it can create problems for patient as well as organisation. It is my responsibility to check for any allergies through analysing the past medical history of the patient.

Compliance with rules: I must adhere to all safety protocols, health and safety rules and safeguarding policies to provide better care (Shore et al, 2022). It is also important for me to have knowledge about the rights of patients.

Observe patient reactions: Observation of patients after providing treatment and medicines is necessary. Because patient can face side effects after taking medicines. I should report quickly to higher authority about any uncommon responses.

Documentation: Appropriately document the medication management in the medical records of patient is necessary step. It must involve details such as; time, medicine dose, method and any kind of observation made.

Upholding confidentiality: It is crucial for administrator to uphold the privacy and confidentiality of patient information. Compliance with ethical as well as legal standards is help to avoid the legal complexities. Knowing implications of malpractice is important in administration of medications.

Medication safety: As a responsible worker, it is important for me to comply with all safety guidelines and protocols made by organisation. I must double-check all medication orders and verify identification of patients to reduce risks. If I found any possible medical errors as well as safety issues, then I must quickly report them to senior management and take proper action to mitigate issues.