Risk Management and Risk Assessment Policy
1. Scope
This guidance is applicable to all those with responsibility for developing and implementing risk management strategy and undertaking risk assessments for activities which are under their control.
2. Objectives
2.2.1 To ensure that major risks are identified and managed as part of an overarching policy with a view to promoting students’ welfare.
2.2.2 To meet the Independent School Standard Regulations (ISSR) requirement for a written risk assessment policy to be in place and to meet the requirement for leadership in and management of schools.
2.2.3 To ensure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are undertaken for activities where there is likely to be significant risk including College trips.
2.2.4 That identified control measures are implemented to control risk so far as reasonably practicable.
2.2.5 That those affected by College activities have received suitable information on what to do.
2.2.6 That the risk management strategy and risk assessments are recorded and reviewed when appropriate.
2.2.7 To identify those in the College responsible for conducting risk assessment and monitoring its implementation.
3. Guidance
3.3.1 The Principal will be responsible for the overarching risk management policy of the College. The overall strategy will be formally reviewed on an annual basis.
3.3.2 Areas of particular importance include:
(a) Safeguarding recruitment of staff
The safeguarding responsibility is delegated to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and deputies. The DSL is responsible for assessments of risk for each student and monitoring and updating these risk assessments. There are also general areas of safeguarding for which the DSL is responsible for risk assessments including: grooming and prevention of terrorism, contextual safeguarding responsibilities and, in conjunction with the Premises Manager, e-safety with regard to safeguarding.
(b) College trips, outings and special events
Risk assessments here are the responsibility of the Director of Studies.
(c) Premises and security, hazardous substances and cyber security
The Premises Manager is responsible for risk assessments for:
(d) Critical incident management
The lead responsibility rests with the Director of Studies who manages this with the Senior Management Team.
(e) Reputational and financial risk
This is the responsibility of the Principal.
For each of the above areas of risk the lead member of staff is responsible for:
3.3.3 Recording each risk assessment is the immediate responsibility of the member of staff in charge of risk assessments for the relevant area. They must be kept as part of the College’s Management Information Systems.
3.3.4 The Head of Health and Safety will be responsible for the implementation of the risk assessment policy.
3.3.5 This guidance is applicable to general risk assessment. Where specialist skills are required, e.g. in relation to asbestos, fire, water quality and hazardous substances, there is separate Health and Safety Policy in place. Teaching area risk assessment checklists are also in place for guidance.
3.3.6 All staff will receive guidance on risk assessment as part of their induction. This will be refreshed on an annual basis. Risk assessment training will be provided on specific areas where identified by the Bursar / Maintenance Engineer / Head of Department.
3.3.7 A template risk assessment form is included at Appendix 1 to this guidance. The College adopts the CLEAPSS Advisory Service model risk assessments for lessons in Science.
3.3.8 Risk assessments will take into account:
(a) hazard – something with the potential to cause harm;
(b) risk – an evaluation of the likelihood of the hazard causing harm;
(c) risk rating – assessment of the severity of the outcome of an event;
(d) control measures – physical measures and procedures put in place to mitigate the risk.
3.3.9 The risk assessment process will consist of the following six assessment steps:
(1) What could go wrong?
(2) Who might be harmed?
(3) How likely is it to go wrong?
(4) How serious would it be if things go wrong?
(5) What are you going to do to stop it?
(6) How are you going to check that your plans are working?
3.3.10 The Head of Health and Safety will be responsible for the maintenance of risk assessment records. Where the policy is reviewed the College should identify how the review is recorded and considered e.g. by a H&S committee or similar.
3.3.11 Risk assessments will be reviewed:
(a) when there are changes to the activity;
(b) after a near miss or accident;
(c) when there are changes to the type of people involved in the activity;
(d) when there are changes in good practice;;
(e) when there are legislative changes;
(f) annually if for no other reason.
3.3.12 A list of areas (non-exhaustive) which will require risk assessment is included at Appendix 2.
Appendix 1: Ashbourne Risk Assessment Template (pdf)
Appendix 2: Areas requiring risk assessment (non-exhaustive)
Appendix 3: Legal Requirements & Education Standards