Health and Safety Policy

Introduction

Our policy is to manage the Health, Safety and Wellbeing of our students, coaches and clients to provide and maintain a safe coaching environment and prevent accidents or ill health occurring. We provide regular training for our coaches, implement clear instructions to students and regularly review and assess risks within the working environment. We have a clear set of procedures and safety measures that our coaches implement whilst coaching Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity (PESSPA). These are fully aligned to Government and AfPE Safe Practice in Physical Education and Sport guidance on Health and Safety.

General Health, Safety and Welfare of students during PESSPA sessions/activities

YDP will carry out relevant risk assessments and take action for all sports delivered by our coaches. These will be regularly reviewed and updated.

Our coaches are fully qualified and each have an enhanced DBS, First Aid and Safeguarding certificate.

Students will be supervised at all times (both indoors and outdoors) by the appropriate and adequate teacher to student ratio. Our standard practice is 1 coach to 15 students.

We will teach students how to take action to control risks themselves in order to participate in a PE session safely.

Students

All long hair must be tied up with a plain band. All jewellery must be removed, including earrings. In exceptional circumstances, micropore tape can be used to cover earrings, for example, for the first six weeks after piercing. Jewellery worn for religious reasons should be covered in an appropriate way; e.g. a bracelet could be covered with a sweat band. Young students will be encouraged to leave jewellery, especially earrings, at home on PE days. Other jewellery will be collected by the class teacher and taken with the class to the session. YDP cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged jewellery.

Any medical conditions or special educational needs will be provided by the school/parent and YDP coaches will keep a secure record of these. Students with SEN will be encouraged to participate in PE sessions in a manner appropriate to their ability and the safety of themselves and others.

Students will change under supervision in the area agreed with the school.

In the Summer, students will be encouraged to wear caps to protect themselves from the sun. They should also have sun protection cream on – either applied by themselves or by a parent/guardian prior to the PE session.

PE Equipment

All PE equipment will be stored in the relevant storage area of each school. YDP coaches will familiarise themselves with these areas and ensure that the equipment is stored correctly and safely. We will organise the access of heavier or higher equipment. YDP coaches will ensure all sports equipment is in full working order and up to standard in accordance with PESSPA guidelines. YDP coaches are responsible for the safe and tidy storage of equipment they have used. The equipment stored in a range of appropriate containers allows easy access and a safe handling situation. Maintenance of PE equipment is carried out regularly and any defects are reported to the school.

Students access to the cupboard should be supervised by an adult at all times. Safe handling and use of all equipment will be taught and encouraged. Specific procedures for lifting carry and placing sports apparatus correctly are taught and reinforced. When lifting equipment students must:

•  Bend knees, back straight to lift and lower;
• Always travel in a forward/sideways direction – be able to see in the direction they are travelling;
•  Place apparatus carefully in position;
• Hold apparatus securely – thumbs separate from fingers;
• Carry apparatus at waist height, not lifted too high.
•  Benches and mats should be carried by a “wheels on the bus” formation.

In addition, safety rules procedures for working on all apparatus are established and reinforced, including:

• Checking of the apparatus/equipment prior to use;
•  Starting and stopping signals;
•  Stopping and moving off the apparatus/putting down equipment to listen to instructions;
•  Clear expectation of noise levels permitted, a quiet working environment is essential so that problems can be identified immediately;
• Rules about the number of students allowed on a single piece of apparatus/playing a game safely/using sports equipment at any one time. E.g. 4 students on a bench.

Injuries, Accidents and Emergencies

Warm-up

Safe preparation is an integral part of every session. Students always complete an appropriate warm up prior to physical activity. The warm up involves:

• · Mobility exercise to prepare the joints;
• · Pulse raising activities to prepare the cardiovascular system;
• · Stretches to prepare the muscles and associated ligaments/connective tissues.

Aerobic activity which incorporates mobility of the joints is completed prior to stretching. Specific muscle groups are used that relate to the anticipated activity and about full range of motion. The warm up is gradual and of a sufficient intensity to increase muscle/core temperature without causing fatigue or reducing energy stores.

Hygiene

YDP implements the highest hygiene standards ensuring PE equipment is regularly sanitised. Coaches will regularly wash and sanitise their hands at the beginning and end of each session. They will also use any PPE provided and if required by the school. We will ensure we are delivering our sessions in the cleanest possible environment.

First Aid and Emergency Procedures

All YDP coaches are first aid trained and will work closely with the schools First Aider and adhere to the schools accident and emergency procedures.

Risk Assessment of the Environment

At the beginning of each PE session, YDP coaches will look for and identify hazards in the coaching environment which could result in significant harm and report them to the school such as:

• Slippery floor surface
• Glare from the sun;
•  Restricted/obstructed access to the apparatus.
• Rubbish on the working space;
• Holes in the playing surface;
• Permanent equipment in safe state i.e. football goals

Coaches will look for and identify hazards inherent within the coaching of different areas of the activity. For example:

•  Does the storage of the apparatus provide easy access i.e. sufficient room for students to bend their knees and lift correctly?
• When the apparatus is set out, is there sufficient space around between different sections.
•  Are the mats strategically placed in relation to the apparatus to ensure safe exit point?
•  Have the students been taught how to land safely with control?

This policy was ratified on 1st January 2023.

Luke Kennedy, Managing Director

Youth Dreams Project Ltd