1.3. Identify health and safety rules, guidelines or instructions when taking children out: • into the street • to the park

This. guide will help you answer1.3. Identify health and safety rules, guidelines or instructions when taking children out: • into the street • to the park.

Health and Safety Rules When Taking Children into the Street

Taking children into the street for a walk or a visit requires careful planning and strict attention to safety. Streets can present hazards such as traffic, uneven surfaces, and strangers. Clear rules and guidelines help to reduce the risk of accidents and keep children safe.

Staff should plan the outing in advance. This might include route planning, checking the environment and ensuring the correct staff-to-child ratios. Ratios should follow legal requirements and the organisation’s policies.

Key Safety Rules

• Carry out a risk assessment of the planned route before the trip
• Only use safe, designated crossing points
• Hold younger children’s hands or use walking reins if appropriate
• Keep children in line or pairs and within eyesight at all times
• Stay away from driveways or areas where vehicles may reverse
• Avoid busy roads where possible
• Use high-visibility vests so drivers and others can see the group easily

Instructions for Staff

Staff should always brief children before leaving. The briefing should be short and clear, using language the children understand. For example, “We must walk together and stop at the kerb before crossing.” Children need to know they must listen to the adult in charge throughout the outing.

Staff should have a list of all children and check the list regularly during the walk. If the group stops or changes direction, staff should count children again. If children are old enough, they can be taught simple road safety skills such as using the green man signal at crossings.

Additional Precautions

• Carry a small first aid kit
• Have a mobile phone for emergencies
• Make sure all children have any needed medication with them and that a trained adult is able to administer it
• Never allow children to run ahead
• Position staff so one adult leads and another follows at the back of the group

Health and Safety Rules When Taking Children to the Park

Parks offer open space for play and learning but they also come with risks such as play equipment injuries, contact with animals, water hazards, and strangers. Adults need to remain alert.

Before leaving for the park, staff should check that the area is suitable for the age group. Some parks have equipment designed for older children that may not be safe for younger ones.

Key Safety Rules

• Perform a risk assessment on the park area
• Check that play equipment is in good condition
• Avoid areas with deep water or fast-moving rivers
• Supervise children closely at all times
• Have agreed boundaries children must stay within
• If animals are present, make sure children understand they must not feed or touch them without permission and supervision
• Agree a meeting point in case of separation

Instructions for Staff

Adults should be positioned around the play area to cover all sight lines. Children should be counted regularly, especially when moving between different sections of the park.

Staff must ensure that any picnic or snack times are supervised so children do not choke or eat unsafe food. All rubbish should be collected.

If the park has public toilets, an adult should accompany children. Handwashing after using the toilet and before eating is important to stop the spread of germs.

Additional Precautions

• Have a first aid kit available
• Bring water to keep children hydrated, especially in warm weather
• Apply sun cream before the trip and take hats for sunny days
• In cold weather, make sure children wear suitable clothing and footwear
• Be aware of allergies and medical needs of each child
• Avoid plants that may be poisonous or cause skin irritation

Common Guidelines for Both Street and Park Trips

Street walks and park visits share some basic safety needs. These should be part of every planned outing.

Before Leaving

• Gain written permission from parents or carers for the trip
• Brief children on expected behaviour
• Check staff ratios meet legal and organisational rules
• Have emergency contact details for each child
• Ensure all staff know the plan, route and risk assessment results

During the Trip

• Keep constant visual contact with all children
• Maintain regular head counts
• Keep children in organised groups, such as pairs or small clusters
• Have a lead adult and rear adult to control movement of the group
• Make safety the main priority over speed or convenience

After Returning

• Check that all children return safely
• Record any incidents or accidents in line with organisational policy
• Review the trip to identify improvements for future outings

Preparing for Unexpected Events

Even with the best preparation, unexpected events can happen. Staff need to be ready to respond calmly.

If a child is injured, first aid should be given by a qualified person and emergency services contacted if needed. Other children should be moved to a safe area under supervision while the situation is managed.

If a child becomes separated from the group, staff should carry out agreed missing person procedures. This may include searching the immediate area and calling emergency services. This is why having a meeting point or agreed processes is important.

If bad weather suddenly occurs, staff should have shelter plans or return to the setting early.

Communication During Outings

Good communication between adults reduces risk. Before leaving, the leader should confirm which staff are in which positions. A rear adult can act as a safety sweep to observe any issues from behind.

Staff should use clear signals or agreed phrases to manage behaviour during the walk or park visit. For example, “Stop at the edge” or “Hands up” to signal pause and attention. Phrases should be simple and consistent so children respond quickly.

Handheld radios can be useful for larger groups, but for small groups, verbal communication usually works well.

Involving Children in Safety

Children can engage in safety rules in age-appropriate ways. Teaching simple safety skills prepares them for future independence.

This can include:

• Learning to stop, look, and listen at roads
• Recognising hazard signs in parks such as “No Swimming” signs
• Understanding why they must stay with the group
• Helping with head counts to build awareness

Games can be used to reinforce safety messages before the trip starts.

Record Keeping and Legal Duties

Any trip outside the setting forms part of official activity. This means certain legal requirements need attention.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and relevant child protection laws, adults must protect children from harm when in their care. Risk assessments, consent forms, and trip records provide evidence of safe practice.

Accident forms should be completed if anything goes wrong. These records help in reviewing practice and improving safety in the future.

Managing Behaviour

Behaviour management is part of safety. Children who run off or ignore instructions put themselves at risk.

Behaviour expectations should be made clear to children and parents before the trip. Rewards for good listening and staying with the group can help. Consistent consequences if rules are broken keep behaviour steady.

Talking to children beforehand about why rules exist encourages cooperation.

Staff Training

Only staff confident in managing outdoor trips should lead them. Regular training in first aid, safeguarding, and outing procedures keeps skills fresh.

Staff should know how to:

• Lead children safely in public areas
• Respond to accidents
• Perform CPR
• Communicate with emergency services
• Spot signs of distress or illness

Training should be reviewed often within the organisation.

Supervising Different Ages

Supervising a group with mixed ages needs careful planning. Younger children may need physical help such as handholding. Older ones can try small leadership roles but must still follow adult instructions.

Avoid grouping very young children together without older or adult support. Mixed-age pairing can help older children guide younger ones.

Equipment and Supplies

The correct equipment helps manage risks. This may include:

• High-visibility vests
• Identification badges for children with the setting’s name and contact details
• First aid kit
• Mobile phone and charger
• List of children with medical and contact information
• Drinking water and cups
• Weather protection such as umbrellas, sun cream, hats or gloves

Emergency Procedures

All outings need clear emergency steps. Staff should know how to contact emergency services and provide information.

If an emergency means returning early, adults should keep children calm by explaining simply what will happen.

For medical emergencies, a qualified first aider should take lead responsibility while others look after the remaining children.

These procedures should be rehearsed within the team so everyone knows their role.

Final Thoughts

Safety during street walks and park visits is never an afterthought. It must be planned fully before setting off. Rule setting, risk checks, and clear instructions make a big difference to a safe and enjoyable time outside.

The aim is for children to have positive experiences while staying within protective boundaries. With careful preparation, active supervision, and clear communication, outdoor trips can be enjoyable, educational, and without incident.