Targeted Provision - Health and Safety Policy

1. Introduction

This policy sets out Targeted Provision’s compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the guidance of the Health and Safety Executive.

Any expectations set out in this document apply to all individuals who deliver services involving children and young people through Targeted Provision, regardless of employment status. They arise from Targeted Provision's statutory and contractual obligations under safeguarding legislation, Health and Safety obligations, and the terms of our contracts with commissioning Local Authorities - not from any exercise of management direction or control over how individuals carry out their work. Compliance with these expectations is a condition of working with Targeted Provision in any capacity and reflects the minimum standards required by law and by the nature of the work, rather than employer-imposed rules of conduct.

Together, the Company Directors have the day-to-day responsibility for managing Health and Safety and risk assessments and also act as Health and Safety Advisers.

The Company Directors will familiarise themselves with all relevant health and safety legislation and take expert advice if required.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the Risk Assessment Policy and Lone Working Policy.

2. Our commitment

Targeted Provision Ltd is committed to:

Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of its employees, contractors, workers and pupils and will, so far as is reasonably practicable, establish procedures and systems necessary to implement this commitment and to comply with its statutory obligations on Health and Safety.

Taking all reasonable steps to ensure the Health and Safety of all employees, workers and contractors engaged by Targeted Provision Ltd.

3. How we ensure the H&S of our employees, workers and contractors

3.1. Health and Safety at work:

Is a responsibility of all employees, workers and contractors themselves. 

Is the duty of each employee, worker and contractor to take reasonable care of their own and other people’s health, safety and welfare and to report any situation which may pose a serious or imminent threat to the well-being of themselves or of any other person.

Section 7 of the HSWA places a responsibility on employees to assist the employer through compliance with legal requirements; and to be mindful of their own health and safety and that of those affected by their activities. 

For self-employed contractors, Section 3 of the HSWA 1974 places a duty on them to conduct their work in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that they and any other persons who may be affected are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

3.1.1. To this end, employees, workers and contractors are asked to co-operate by:

• Ensuring their personal insurance is up-to-date 

• Providing documentation when asked to do so, including updated information on any changes to their documentation 

3.1.2. Targeted Provision Ltd will ensure that, at all time, it:

• Provides a healthy and safe working environment with the aim of eliminating all instances of occupational incidents, accidents and illnesses. 

• Takes reasonable steps to protect the wellbeing of children/young people and tutors who support these children/young people.

These steps are outlined in our Risk Assessment Policy, which should be read alongside this policy.

Specific risks surrounding children/young people, where made clear to us at the point of referral, are shared with the tutor via the tutor portal.

Most of the work conducted on behalf of Targeted Provision Ltd is by contractors. They will work in schools, children’s homes, family homes, libraries or other public places and these venues should have in place their own dedicated Health and Safety Policy.

Where concerned, we ask anyone providing a service on behalf of Targeted Provision Ltd to familiarise themselves with the Health and Safety Policies of the place in which their work is being carried out.

3.2. Health and safety at our office location

We provide hot-desking facilities at our offices at 58 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AJ .

Where relevant, for all employees and workers, and any third parties who engage with Targeted Provision Ltd, we pay particular attention to:

• Maintaining the workplace in a safe condition and providing adequate facilities and arrangements for welfare at work

• The provision and maintenance of equipment and systems of work that are safe

• Arrangement for ensuring safety to health in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances

• The provision of such information, instructions, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure the Health and Safety at work.

We also recognise our responsibility and duty to protect the Health and Safety of all visitors to our offices, including employees, workers and contractors, as well as, where relevant, any members of the general public.

4. Fire Safety

As the responsible person(s), the Health and Safety Manager of Cavendish Education, 58 Buckingham Gate (our office) carries out and regularly reviews a fire risk assessment of the premises. This identifies what we need to do to prevent fire and keep people safe.

With respect to our current office location of Cavendish Education, 58 Buckingham Gate, the Health and Safety Manager has established, through a detailed risk assessment in line with HM Government’s publication Fire Safety Risk Assessment – Offices and Shops:

• emergency routes and exits

• where fire detection and warning systems are located

• where fire-fighting equipment is located

• the safe storage of dangerous substances within our office

• an emergency fire evacuation plan

• where relevant, the needs of vulnerable people, for example the elderly, young children or those with disabilities

• how to communicate this information to employees and other people in our office premises

5. Smoke and vape free policy

In order to protect all employees, workers and contractors from exposure to second hand smoke and to assist compliance with the Health Act 2006, Cavendish Education does not allow smoking or vaping at Targeted Provision’s office.

6. Non-Compliance

Targeted Provision’s disciplinary procedures will be followed if a member of staff does not comply with this policy.  Those who do not comply with the smoke free law may also be liable to a fixed penalty fine and possible criminal prosecution in line with English Law.

Where a self-employed contractor fails to comply with this policy, Targeted Provision Ltd reserves the right to take appropriate action, which may include termination of the contract for services.

Help to Stop Smoking: The NHS offers a range of free services to help smokers give up.  Visit NHS Live Well or call the Smoking Helpline on 0800 022 4332.

7. First Aid

Location of First Aid boxes: Reception

Responsible for maintaining the first aid boxes: Cavendish Education.

8. Noise

Targeted Provision Ltd. will take all reasonable steps to reduce any excessive noise levels that may exist in the workplace under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (CNWR) 2005, introduced on 6 April 2006.

9. Accidents

In accordance with RIDDOR (2013) The Senior Leadership Team is to be notified of all accidents and near-miss (no injury) incidents and the following details entered in the appropriate book / online form.

• Full name, address and occupation of the injured person

• Date and time of the accident/incident

• Place where the accident/incident occurrence

• Clear concise description of the accident/incident

• Cause and nature of the injury

• Name, address and occupation of the person entering the details (if not the injured person).

Accident and Near Miss Report Books are located:

• In the main office

• On the company intranet site and tutor portal

Targeted Provision Ltd will notify the enforcing authority by the quickest practicable means (normally by telephone) and complete and submit the appropriate RIDDOR Form within 10 days, where

• Any person dies as a result of an accident in connection with work

• Any person at work suffers a major injury as a result of an accident in connection with work

• There is a dangerous occurrence

9.1. RIDDOR Reporting – Self-Employed Contractors

Because most work carried out on behalf of Targeted Provision Ltd takes place in third-party settings. including schools, children's homes, family homes and public spaces, responsibility for making a formal RIDDOR report will depend on where an incident occurs and who is in control of those premises at the time.

Notification to Targeted Provision Ltd in all cases

Regardless of who holds the formal RIDDOR reporting duty in any given situation, all self-employed contractors are required to notify Targeted Provision Ltd of any accident, near-miss or dangerous occurrence arising in the course of their engagement, as soon as practicable. This is in addition to, and not instead of, any formal reporting obligation that may exist. Further guidance is available from the Health and Safety Executive.

Notification should be made to the relevant Support Owner or Company Director within 24 hours of the incident occurring, or as soon as is safely possible. Details of the incident must then be recorded using the Targeted Provision Accident and Near Miss Report form, available via the tutor portal and this online form.

Timeframes

For reference, the following statutory timeframes apply to RIDDOR reporting:

• Deaths and specified major injuries must be reported to the HSE without delay and in any event within 10 days

• Over-seven-day injuries must be reported within 15 days of the incident

• Records of all reportable incidents must be retained for a minimum of three years

Targeted Provision Ltd reserves the right to request evidence of compliance with any RIDDOR reporting obligation that rests with a self-employed contractor, and failure to comply may result in termination of the contract for services.

10. What to do if you are unsure

If any employee, worker or contractor is unsure how to proceed safely in any situation, or has concerns about the safety of their working environment or the young person they are supporting, it is their duty to report this as soon as possible to their Support Owner or a Company Director

11. Contact details

H&S Officer

Name: Katherine Beachus
Email: katherine@targetedprovision.com

12. Review

This Health & Safety Policy is reviewed every six months, and, where appropriate, is updated to reflect any statutory changes/improvements to Health & Safety Policy.