Risk Assessment Process
Risk assessments should always be considered in the context of the potential benefits of the specific programme, location or activity for the young people participating.
Day Venues
Youth work organisations use a range of different venues for delivering their services. The venue itself is a key part of the overall safety management system so advance planning is required. When using day activity venues that are not owned or managed by the youth work organisation, workers should ensure that procedures are in place to manage the safety and wellbeing of young people and workers at the venue.
Residential Venues
Youth work organisations use a range of different venues for delivering their services. The venue itself is a key part of the overall safety management system so advance planning is required.
When using residential venues that are not owned or managed by the youth work organisation, workers should ensure that procedures are in place to manage the safety and wellbeing of young people and workers at the venue.
Weather
Youth work organisations should consider the potential effects of adverse weather when planning youth sector programmes and activities. Appropriate management strategies and contingency plans should be included where relevant and should consider the potential impact on both activity and transport arrangements. This is particularly important for any plans involving outdoor activity and also for any … Continued
Large Events
Youth work organisations should pay particular attention to the safety management of large scale events such as: large fundraising, sponsorship or sporting events; jamboree style events; recruitment or promotional fairs; religious festivals; other events involving large groups of people.
Food Safety
All youth work organisations, regardless of the extent to which they prepare or supply food, should consider and apply principles of good food hygiene and safety. Some organisations may qualify as a ‘food business’ and be subject to the regulations of the food industry (see section below for more details), but all organisations should be mindful of hygiene and safety principles as part of their general health & safety responsibilities.
Supporting Individual Needs
It is essential that youth work organisations understand the individual support needs of all individuals participating in programmes or accessing services in advance, including young people and workers. Organisations should carefully review all information received from young people prior to a programme (i.e. application forms or similar), and pay particular note to any pre-existing conditions or accessibility requirements that have been disclosed.
Safeguarding for Youth Work
This document outlines safeguarding policy and procedures for the protection of children and young people at risk. Every organisation and its individual staff members have a duty of care to ensure the protection of the young people they are working with, from unnecessary risk and/or harm.