Health and safety in health, social care and children’s and young people’s settings

Know the main responsibilities of workers and employers for health and safety in health, social care and children’s and young people’s settings.

• Key areas of responsibility for workplace health and safety may include manual handling, moving and transferring people, reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences, first aid, employer responsibility to manage health and safety at work, control of substances hazardous to health, fire safety. Learners do not need an in-depth knowledge of this topic as it will be covered in more detail in other higher level qualifications. Learners need to know that they share responsibility with their employer for the own safety and others. Employers are responsible for providing information about safety and security and employees are responsible for using the systems and procedures correctly.Learners should be aware of the basic legislation that informs care practice e.g. Health & Safety at Work Act, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations etc.

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Outline key areas of health and safety related to a work setting.

• 1.2

  Outline employers responsibilities for health and safety.

• 1.3

  Outline workers responsibilities for health and safety.

• 1.4

  Give examples of health and safety training required in the work setting.

Understand the importance of assessing risk in relation to health and safety.

Learners need to demonstrate their understanding of the term 'risk' and 'hazard'. They then need to apply this knowledge to practical examples.

Learners need to know the purpose of a risk assessment. This may include:

• areas of the business that may cause harm to an individual
• how and who may be affected
• what precautions are in place

Risk assessments may be used prior to starting any work that could potentially cause injury or ill health.

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Outline what is meant by 'risk'.

• 2.2

  Give examples of hazards and their associated risks.

• 2.3

  Outline the purpose of a risk assessment

• 2.4

  Identify occasions when a risk assessment is necessary.

Understand the importance of key areas of health and safety in relation to health, social care and children’s and young people’s settings.

Security in a care environment is about:

• security against intruders
• people's right to privacy and to make decisions about unwanted visitors
• security of property
• protection against abuse

Personal security and the security of those in health and social care settings has become increasingly important in the last few years. Learners need to know why it is important to protect themselves and how to be sure others are safe too.

Safe moving of objects and people is important for a number of reasons including:

• avoiding injury for the carer or individual
• appropriate use of aids and equipment to ensure the safety of the individual
• reduces or avoids pain or distress

There are a number of potential hazards that could result in accidents in the care environment:

• Surfaces including floors, carpets, rugs 
• Equipment e.g., hoists, electric profiling or hydraulic beds

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Outline the importance of protecting your own security and the security of others in a work setting.

• 3.2

  Outline the importance of safe moving and handling principles.

• 3.3

  Identify accidents and sudden illness that may occur in a health, social care, children’s or young people’s setting.

• 3.4

  Identify who might deal with accidents and sudden illness in a work setting.

Know what contributes to the reduction of the spread of infection in health, social care and children's and young people’s settings.

In this learning outcome, learners need to have a basic understanding of how infection is spread (pathogens and the chain of infection) and ways to prevent the spread of infection. Different methods of reducing the spread of infection should include:

• the use and disposal of masks, gloves and aprons
• wash hands before and after procedures
• when to wear personal protective clothing (high risk/low risk differences)
• clean equipment well after use
• deal with waste disposal according to given procedures

Learners need to know how to wash their hands according to current procedures. Personal protective equipment should be used when in particular ‘risk’ situations and when carrying out procedures which involves bodily contact or dealing with bodily fluids.

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1

  Describe how infection is spread.

• 4.2

  Identify methods that reduce the spread of infection.

• 4.3

  Describe the standard method of washing hands.

• 4.4

  Identify when personal protective equipment should be used.

• 4.5

  Describe how to safely remove and dispose of personal protective equipment.