Children's Services 2024 2025 Health and Safety Plan ECSPB
Renfrewshire Council · 22 August 2024
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 22 August 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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_________________________________________________________________________ To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 22 August 2024 Report By: Director of Children’s Services Heading: Children’s Services – Health and Safety and Action Plan 2024/2025 1. Summary 1.1 The Council’s Health, Safety and Welfare Policy requires each service to submit an annual report and an annual Health and Safety action plan to the relevant Policy Board. 1.2 In terms of looking forward, the Children’s Services action plan for 2024/2025 is attached as Appendix 1 to this report. It sets out the planned actions the service will undertake during 2024/2025, outlining the service’s commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety performance in accordance with the People Strategy – Ongoing implementation of key priorities (Health and Wellbeing Plan 2024/2029). ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board approves the Children’s Services Health and Safety action plan for 2024/2025 at Appendix 1. __________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 Renfrewshire Council’s Department of Children’s Services accepts its responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, as an employer, to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all its employees, pupils and other persons who may be affected by the operations of the department. Employees must likewise accept their responsibilities under the Act. 3.2 Children’s Services Interim Head of Education is currently the lead officer for health, safety and wellbeing within the service and is supported by the
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Resources Support Manager. We have a proactive approach and commitment to health, safety and wellbeing which is supported by the service’s Health and Safety Committee. 3.3 The service has adapted its processes and procedures to ensure that standards for all employees working from home or in the office are maintained, with the health, safety and wellbeing of employees being a priority. The service’s health and safety committee meet’s quarterly via Teams. The membership of this group includes representation from all school sectors, professional bodies, Children’s House, Social Work Justice and colleagues from the council’s Environmental, Housing and Infrastructure Department are also in attendance. 3.5 The action plan 2024/2025 identifies areas for future and continued action which is included as Appendix 1 to this report. The action plan is monitored on a quarterly basis by the service’s health and safety committee. 3.6 The preparation of this annual report and action plan has been supported by the Finance and Resources, People and Organisational Development (People & OD) Health and Safety Team. Implications of the Report 1. Financial Implications – None. 2. HR & Organisational Development Implications – None 3. Community/Council Planning Implications – None. 4. Legal Implications – None. 5. Property/Assets Implications – None. 6. Information Technology Implications – None. 7. Equality & Human Rights Implications - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety Implications - The report supports and demonstrates the Council and the Children’s service’s commitment to ensuring effective health and safety management. 9. Procurement Implications - None. 10. Risk Implications - The report supports the overarching management of risk within Renfrewshire Council.
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11. Privacy Impact Implications - None. 12. Cosla Policy position – None. 13. Climate Risk – None. 14. Children’s Rights - The rights and wellbeing of children and young people is at the heart of our Children’s Services Health and Safety Plan. As a council we will continue to work together to promote equality and raise awareness of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to make sure children and young people’s rights are promoted and reflected in all that we do. This will ensure that we are meeting the requirements of the new duties under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024. ___________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers • Children’s Services Health and Well Being Strategy Update 2022/2023 and Children’s Services Well Being Strategy 2023/2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Children’s Services GL/LB 22 July 2024 Author: Laura Baillie, Resources Support Manager - 07970876292 (laura.baillie@renfrewshire.gov.uk)
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Appendix 1 Children’s Services Health and Safety Action Plan 2024/2025 Action Title Due Date Update Recognise the Council’s Health & Wellbeing Strategy ensuring all employees are aware of initiatives and participate where relevant / required. 31 March 2025 Monitor and review workplace risk assessments in Children’s Houses to ensure they remain suitable and sufficient. 31 March 2025 Ensure a health and safety inspection programme across all educational establishments and children’s houses. Trade Union representation should be invited to take part in the health and safety walk round for establishments. 31 March 2025 Monitor DSE assessments across the service with regular updates from managers. 31 March 2025 Continue to encourage reporting of incidents involving employees via Business World 31 March 2025 Ensure Risk Assessments are regularly reviewed and updated in the following areas: Fire Manual Handing HAVS (Hand Arm Vibration) 31 March 2025 Staff Training Programme in relation to Health and Safety at Work: • Fire training • Manual Handing • Ensure Social Work Staff Residential and Non Residental are completing all Mandatory Training pathways • Technical Teachers/ Technicians – Metal Work Training 31 March 2025
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Action Title Due Date Update Maintain weekly monitoring of violence and aggression reports in all establishments to conduct investigation and provide support where required. 31 March 2025 Continue to raise awareness of good practice around classroom / playroom ventilation and encourage staff to monitor their Co2 levels via their classroom monitor or online portal. 31 March 2025