Introductory awareness of health and safety in health, social care and children’s and young people’s settings

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 1
Unit No:
Y/502/9717
Credits:
4
Guided learning hours:
36 hours

Assessment Guidance

This unit needs to be assessed in line with the Skills for Care and Development QCF Assessment Principles

Aim

The aim of this unit is to consider the importance of health and safety in care settings and to know how to prevent the spread of infection.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1

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

Additional details

Key areas of responsibility for workplace health and safety may include manual handling, reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences, first aid, employer responsibility to manage health and safety at work, control of substances hazardous to health. 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.

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.

2

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

Additional details

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.

3

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

Additional details

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 and handling 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. bedrails, hoists, electric profiling or hydraulic beds

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1

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

4

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

Additional details

In this learning outcome, learners need to have a basic understanding of how infection is spread and ways to reduce the spread of infection. 

Different methods of reducing the spread of infection may include:

  • wearing gloves  when coming into contact with body fluids
  • wash hands before and after procedures
  • wear protective clothing
  • clean equipment well after use
  • deal with waste according to given procedures

Learners need to know how to wash their hands according to current procedures. 

Personal protective equipment should be used 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.