1.1 Summarise the statutory and regulatory requirements for health, safety and security that apply in a playwork context

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Summarise the statutory and regulatory requirements for health, safety and security that apply in a playwork context.

Working in playwork means following strict laws and regulations that protect children and young people. These rules cover every aspect of health, safety and security in play settings. They set minimum standards that every playworker must follow.

Playwork is unique because it involves activities that are often less structured than formal education. Even so, there is still a duty to manage risks and keep children safe without restricting their play unnecessarily. The law applies whether the setting is an after-school club, adventure playground, holiday play scheme or community play project.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

This is the main legislation covering health and safety in workplaces in the UK. It applies to playwork settings because they are workplaces for staff and places of activity for children.

Under this law employers must:

• Provide and maintain safe equipment and play spaces
• Give staff proper training in health and safety
• Assess risks and reduce them where possible
• Provide first aid facilities and arrangements
• Have policies and procedures that reflect legal standards

Employees, including playworkers, must:

• Follow safety procedures at all times
• Use equipment only as intended
• Report unsafe conditions to managers
• Wear protective clothing or equipment when needed

This law is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). They can inspect settings and issue improvement notices or shut unsafe operations down.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

These regulations expand on the Health and Safety at Work Act. They require documented risk assessments. This means playworkers must look at activities and the environment to identify hazards and record how they will be managed.

Regulations cover:

• Planning for emergencies
• Arrangements for fire safety and evacuation
• Ensuring staff have relevant training and supervision
• Recording incidents and accidents

For example, where climbing frames are used, a written risk assessment should show how falls will be minimised and how supervision will be organised.

The Children Act 1989 and 2004

These laws place safeguarding at the centre of work with children. They include the duty to protect children from harm and neglect. Health, safety and security requirements link directly to safeguarding.

Playwork settings must:

• Have safeguarding policies that cover physical safety and security
• Make sure staff are checked through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
• Train staff to recognise signs of abuse and act promptly
• Work with other agencies if safeguarding issues arise

Security of premises is part of safeguarding. For example, ensuring entry and exit points are monitored so only authorised adults can collect children.

The Childcare Act 2006

This sets out requirements for registration and regulation of childcare provision. Many playwork settings fall under Ofsted’s inspection and registration requirements.

Requirements include:

• Meeting the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) standards where applicable
• Following health and safety rules set by Ofsted guidance
• Keeping up-to-date records of attendance, accidents and incidents
• Meeting staff-to-child ratios to maintain safe supervision

The EYFS includes safety requirements for indoor and outdoor areas, hygiene, and prevention of spread of infection.

Food Safety Legislation

Many playwork settings offer snacks or cook with children. The Food Safety Act 1990 and related regulations apply when food is prepared or served.

Key requirements:

• Storing food correctly to prevent contamination
• Following hygiene procedures during preparation
• Training staff in food handling and allergen awareness
• Recording any food-related incidents

Providing safe drinking water and managing allergies form part of good practice. Staff should know which children have dietary restrictions and record this information clearly.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002

Playwork settings often use cleaning products, paints, glues or other materials that can be harmful if not handled correctly. COSHH requires employers to:

• Identify hazardous substances in the setting
• Keep them in safe storage away from children
• Provide training for safe use
• Display warning labels and safety data sheets

In playwork this often means keeping materials in locked cupboards and making sure arts and crafts use safe, non-toxic materials wherever possible.

Fire Safety Legislation – Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Fire safety is a key part of security and health protection. Playwork providers must have a fire risk assessment for their premises.

Requirements:

• Clear evacuation routes and visible signage
• Fire drills practised regularly and recorded
• Maintaining alarms, extinguishers and emergency lighting
• Teaching children and staff how to respond to alarms

Settings should consider how mobility issues or special educational needs might affect evacuation and make arrangements accordingly.

RIDDOR – Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013

Under RIDDOR certain serious incidents must be reported to the HSE. This includes:

• Major injuries to staff or children
• Deaths in the setting
• Accidents requiring hospital treatment
• Dangerous occurrences such as equipment collapse or fire outbreaks

Playworkers must record all accidents and know which ones require formal reporting. This contributes to learning from incidents and improving safety.

Security in Playwork Settings

Security overlaps with safeguarding and safety. Security measures should prevent unauthorised access and protect children in the setting.

Good practice includes:

• Controlled entry systems such as buzzers or locked gates
• Visitor sign-in procedures
• Staff wearing identification badges
• Supervision during arrival and departure times
• Clear rules on who can collect each child

For mobile playwork projects, security may involve securing equipment in transport and checking play areas before use.

Risk-Benefit Assessment in Playwork

Playwork recognises that some risk is part of play. Laws and regulations require dangers to be managed, not removed completely. This approach is called risk-benefit assessment.

In practice:

• Playworkers weigh up the developmental benefits of activities against possible risks
• They adapt activities to remove serious hazards but allow manageable risks
• They supervise in ways that give children freedom while still keeping watch

For example, allowing tree climbing with guidance and supervision rather than banning it altogether.

Health Protection and Infection Control

Legal requirements come from public health guidance and regulations. In recent years extra measures have been added following disease outbreaks.

Measures include:

• Washing hands before eating or after messy play
• Cleaning surfaces regularly
• Excluding children and staff with infectious illnesses until clear
• Recording and reporting outbreaks where needed

This connects to the EYFS and Public Health England guidance.

Training and Competency Requirements

Legislation and regulations often require staff to be competent for their role. Competency is linked to training, qualifications and ongoing professional development.

Minimum expectations:

• Paediatric first aid qualification for relevant staff
• Health and safety training on induction
• Safeguarding and child protection training
• Fire safety awareness

Staff must be able to put training into action in daily routines and emergency situations.

Record Keeping Duties

Many health, safety and security requirements demand accurate records. These may be checked during inspections or in an investigation.

Typical records:

• Accident and incident forms signed by witnesses
• Risk assessments
• Fire drill logs
• Training records
• Attendance registers
• Visitor books

Good record keeping supports accountability and transparency in the setting.

Insurance Requirements

Legal compliance also involves having suitable insurance. Employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement for most organisations. Public liability insurance covers injury or damage claims from visitors, families or the public.

Activity-specific cover may be required, for example when using specialist play equipment or off-site trips.

Enforcement and Inspections

Different agencies enforce different parts of the law:

• HSE for workplace safety
• Ofsted for registered childcare and playwork provision
• Local authorities for environmental health and premises standards
• Fire authorities for fire safety compliance

Inspection reports often comment on health, safety and security measures in place. Failing to meet requirements can lead to fines, closure or removal from registers.

Balancing Safety and Play

The law protects children without stopping them from engaging in adventurous and challenging play. Playworkers often need to explain to parents and inspectors how risks are managed rather than eliminated.

The concept is to keep activities within safe boundaries while offering variety and excitement. This supports confidence, resilience and learning in children.

Final Thoughts

Playwork health, safety and security requirements combine workplace safety law, childcare regulations and safeguarding duties. All playworkers have personal responsibility to follow these rules and help keep the environment safe while letting children enjoy freedom and choice in play.

By knowing the legal framework and putting policies into everyday practice, playworkers meet their duty of care and keep trust with families and communities. This creates a safe base from which children can explore, experiment and have fun.