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Risk Assessment Policy

 

 

1. Purpose

 

This policy outlines how risks are identified, assessed, managed and reviewed within our Alternative Provision. It ensures that pupils, staff, tutors and others involved in our services remain safe across all learning environments.

 

2. Principles

 

 

  • Risk assessment is an ongoing process that informs safe practice.

  • All activities, environments and individual pupil needs must be assessed for potential risks.

  • Control measures must be proportionate, practical and effective.

  • Staff share responsibility for recognising and reporting risks.

  • Safeguarding is embedded within all risk assessment activity.

 

 

3. Scope

 

This policy applies to:

 

  • Home-based sessions

  • Community sessions

  • Online delivery

  • Off-site activities or trips

  • Transport arrangements (where applicable)

  • Individual pupils with behavioural, medical or safeguarding needs

  • Staff lone working contexts

  • Any environment used for our provision

 

 

4. Types of Risk Assessments

 

 

4.1 General Environment Risk Assessments

 

Used for homes, community centres or other venues where sessions take place, covering:

 

  • Physical safety

  • Fire safety

  • Infection control

  • Accessibility

  • Environmental hazards

 

 

4.2 Individual Pupil Risk Assessments

 

Created where a pupil has:

 

  • Medical needs

  • Behavioural risks

  • Safeguarding concerns

  • Disabilities or additional needs requiring adjustments

 

 

4.3 Activity-Specific Risk Assessments

 

Conducted when undertaking higher-risk activities, such as:

 

  • Outdoor learning

  • Practical tasks

  • Off-site visits

 

 

4.4 Lone Working Risk Assessments

 

Used for tutors working alone in homes or community settings, covering:

 

  • Entry and exit safety

  • Communication procedures

  • Emergency contacts

  • Identifying and reporting concerns

 

 

5. Responsibilities

 

 

5.1 Organisation

 

The organisation will:

 

  • Provide templates, guidance and training for staff.

  • Ensure risk assessments are completed before provision begins.

  • Review assessments regularly and update when circumstances change.

  • Maintain oversight of high-risk cases.

 

 

5.2 Tutors and Staff

 

Staff must:

 

  • Conduct or contribute to risk assessments relevant to their work.

  • Read and follow all risk assessments issued to them.

  • Identify new or emerging risks and report them immediately.

  • Implement control measures consistently.

  • Request support where risks cannot be managed safely.

 

 

5.3 Parents and Carers

 

Parents/carers must:

 

  • Provide accurate information about the pupil’s needs, risks and home environment.

  • Notify staff of changes affecting safety.

  • Ensure the home environment is suitable for sessions.

 

 

6. Completing Risk Assessments

 

Risk assessments must include:

 

  1. Identification of hazards

  2. Who may be harmed and how

  3. Current control measures

  4. Further actions required

  5. Residual risk rating

  6. Review date

  7. Named person responsible

 

Assessments must be completed before sessions begin and updated if:

 

  • A new risk arises

  • A significant incident occurs

  • There is a change in environment, behaviour, health or provision

  • Staff raise concerns during delivery

 

 

7. Control Measures

 

Control measures may include:

 

  • Adjusting the environment

  • Altering seating or layout

  • Reducing triggers for behaviours of concern

  • Implementing 1:1 ratios

  • Safe storage of equipment

  • Clear communication strategies

  • Personalised behaviour or medical plans

  • Increased supervision

 

Control measures must be realistic and consistently applied.

 

8. Reviewing Risk Assessments

 

Risk assessments are reviewed:

 

  • At least termly or half-termly for ongoing provision

  • Following any incident or near-miss

  • When pupil needs change

  • When moving to a new location

  • At the request of staff or parents if concerns arise

 

High-risk pupils may require more frequent reviews through MDT meetings.

 

9. Recording and Documentation

 

All risk assessments must be:

 

  • Written using approved templates

  • Stored securely and accessible to relevant staff

  • Shared with parents/carers and the referring body where appropriate

  • Reviewed and signed by a senior staff member

 

Records of actions taken must be maintained.

 

10. Escalation of Concerns

 

Where a tutor identifies a risk they cannot manage safely:

 

  • They must stop the session if necessary.

  • Concerns must be reported to senior management or the DSL immediately.

  • A revised risk assessment or support plan will be implemented.

 

If a risk poses immediate danger, emergency services may be contacted.

 

11. Monitoring Compliance

 

Senior staff will monitor:

 

  • Completion and quality of risk assessments

  • Implementation of control measures

  • Incident and near-miss patterns

  • Staff training needs

 

Findings will inform organisational safety improvements.

 

12. Review

 

This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if legislation, guidance or operational practices change.