Health & Safety Policy

Rahma Academy is committed to providing a safe environment for children, staff, volunteers and visitors. The maktab operates from Ar Raihaan Academy, Old Lane, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 2DD. Premises safety arrangements — including the fire risk assessment, alarm testing and building maintenance — are held jointly with the premises provider, and we hold our own arrangements for the activities we run.

Responsibilities

• Leadership is responsible for this policy, for keeping risk assessments current, and for making sure staff understand them.
• All staff and volunteers are responsible for taking reasonable care of themselves and the children, and for reporting hazards immediately.
• We hold current public liability insurance covering our activities. A copy of the certificate is available on request.

Risk assessment

We carry out and record a written risk assessment covering the premises, our sessions, arrival and collection, and any off-site activity. Risk assessments are reviewed at least annually, when anything changes, and after any incident. Individual risk assessments are produced for children with medical or additional needs.

Fire safety and evacuation

• Escape routes are kept clear and exits are unlocked and signed while children are on site.
• Staff know the evacuation route and assembly point, and are briefed at induction.
• An evacuation drill is carried out each term and recorded.
• Registers are taken to the assembly point so all children can be accounted for.
• Fire detection and extinguishers on the premises are maintained by the premises provider and checked in line with their fire risk assessment.

First aid and accidents

• A first aid kit is available at every session and checked regularly.
• At least one trained first aider is present whenever children are on site.
• All accidents, injuries and near misses are recorded in the accident record, and parents are informed the same day.
• Serious incidents are reported to the relevant authorities, including RIDDOR reporting to the HSE where applicable.

Medical needs and medication

Parents must tell us in writing about any medical condition, allergy or medication at registration and whenever it changes. Emergency medication such as inhalers or adrenaline auto-injectors must be provided by the parent, clearly labelled, and accompanied by written instructions. Staff will call 999 in a medical emergency and contact parents immediately.

Illness and infection

• Children who are unwell should not attend. Parents are asked to keep children at home while they have a fever, are vomiting, or have diarrhoea, and to follow current UKHSA exclusion guidance.
• A child who becomes unwell during a session is cared for away from other children while parents are contacted for collection.
• We promote good hand hygiene, ventilation and regular cleaning.

Supervision and ratios

Staffing levels are set so that children are properly supervised at all times, taking account of their age and needs. Children are not left unsupervised in classrooms, corridors or toilets, and staff monitor toilet breaks appropriately without compromising children’s privacy.

Food and refreshments

Where any food or drink is provided, allergies and dietary requirements recorded at registration are checked first, and basic food hygiene standards are followed.

Security and visitors

Visitors sign in and out, are never left alone with children, and are accompanied at all times. External doors are kept secure during sessions.