Alternative provision guidance

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a duty on employers, including alternative education providers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of its employees, and others who are affected by their activities such as young people on educational placements.

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers have a responsibility to ensure that young people at work (including those attending alternative education provision) are not exposed to risk due to lack of experience, being unaware of existing or potential risks or lack of maturity, physical capability..

Schools should follow the current guidance by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This information should be referred to in conjunction with this guidance. Key points:

• the alternative education provider (employer) has primary responsibility for health and safety of the pupil and should be managing any significant risks. Schools should take reasonable steps to satisfy themselves that providers are doing this
• those commissioning and organising alternative education provision must ensure it is appropriate for pupils concerned. Provision must be age appropriate and take into consideration any pupils who might be at greater risk, for example due to health conditions or special educational needs, so this can be taken into account when planning the placement. This should include details of any medical or behavioural circumstances as well
• schools should discuss with the provider what the pupil will be doing during the placement, noting any relevant precautions. The alternative education provider (employer) can include specific factors for young people into their existing risk assessment as appropriate
• providers must inform parents or carers of any significant health and safety risks to their child on placement and how they are being controlled. Providers must also inform the school
• when commissioning alternative education provision, relevant health and safety information should be obtained to assess the suitability of the provider. The government’s Crown Commercial Service standardised pre-qualification questionnaire includes information on health and safety which should be considered as part of the process when commissioning alternative education provision. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) have also produced a public service procurement health and safety checklist which can be used to consider key health and safety issues. These lists are not exhaustive and schools should ensure that adequate health and safety information is obtained
• it is the responsibility of schools to decide the extent of checks that are carried out when commissioning provision. This will be based on the type of environment and potential risks involved within the placement. Checks should be kept in proportion to the risks involved
• in lower risk environments, information gained may be relatively straight forward and limited, whilst in environments with less familiar risks or for those in higher risk environments, such as construction, agriculture, manufacturing or motor vehicle repairs, as well as workshop or machinery environments.The checks will need to be more robust
• schools should satisfy themselves that adequate health and safety arrangements are in place and the work the pupil will be doing is being effectively managed to ensure their health and safety. This will need to consider induction, training, supervision, site familiarisation and any protective equipment that might be needed. In addition, pupils should know how and who to raise health and safety concerns
• schools should also check that the provider understands about the specific factors relevant to young people at work, including certain industry specific prohibitions and limitations
• for all environments, it is strongly recommended that a physical check of the provider and placement is carried out by a competent person. A competent person is somebody who has suitable training, skills, experience and knowledge. Physical checks should look at the general suitability of workplace conditions, housekeeping, toilets and washing facilities, fire precautions, guarding of machines, provision of any necessary protective equipment. This list is not exhaustive and there may be other important aspects to consider dependent upon the type of environment and risks involved 
• there should also be agreement on key points of contact between the provider and school during the placement to discuss any issues or concerns. This includes the reporting of any serious accidents or incidents to the school who should follow their own employer’s accident reporting procedure
• schools should carry out appropriate monitoring throughout the placement to satisfy them that providers are continuing to manage the health and safety of pupils on placement. This could be undertaken as part of a general quality assurance visit to assess the overall effectiveness of the provision. Health and safety checks should be undertaken by a competent person and be kept in proportion to the environment and risks involved. Checks should be recorded.
• for further information and advice, schools should contact their health and safety advice provider. For more information on health and safety competent advice, refer to the HSE