4.1 Explain how to respond to a range of accidents and injuries

This guide will help you answer 4.1 Explain how to respond to a range of accidents and injuries.

Playworkers often support children who are taking part in active play. Accidents can happen in any play setting. Knowing the correct way to respond keeps children safe and can limit harm. It also shows that the playworker is acting responsibly and following procedures.

Accidents range from minor grazes to serious incidents requiring medical help. Each situation needs a clear and calm response. The priority is to protect the child’s life and health while maintaining a safe environment for everyone else.

This guide covers the most common types of accidents and injuries you may face. It gives examples of the steps to take in each case, how to follow organisational and legal requirements, and how to record incidents accurately. Always follow your own organisation’s policies and procedures.

First Aid Training and Confidence

Every playworker should have up-to-date paediatric first aid training. This makes it possible to act quickly and correctly. Training teaches how to check for safety hazards, assess the child’s condition, and treat injuries until help arrives.

Confidence comes from practice and knowing the procedures. Always keep the first aid kit stocked and stored somewhere easy to reach. Make sure everyone knows where it is.

Minor Cuts and Grazes

Small wounds are common during active play.

Steps to respond:

• Stay calm and reassure the child
• Wash hands before touching the wound
• Clean the cut gently with mild antiseptic or clean water
• Check for dirt or debris and remove it carefully
• Apply a sterile adhesive dressing if needed
• Advise the child to avoid picking at the wound

Minor injuries should still be recorded. Parents or carers must be informed at the end of the session.

Bruises and Bumps

A bump to the skin or muscle from falls or collisions can cause bruising.

Steps to respond:

• Check if the area is swollen or painful
• Use a cold compress wrapped in a cloth for up to ten minutes
• Encourage rest if the injury is to a limb
• Monitor for ongoing pain or restricted movement
• If pain worsens or there is loss of movement, seek medical advice

Document the injury and inform parents.

Sprains and Strains

Sprains happen when ligaments are stretched. Strains affect muscles or tendons.

Steps to respond:

• Stop the child from continuing activity
• Support the injured limb to reduce strain
• Apply a cold compress to limit swelling
• Keep the limb elevated if possible
• Advise rest until assessed by a medical professional

Follow your organisation’s policy for contacting parents or emergency services if the injury appears serious.

Head Injuries

Head injuries may be minor or serious. Any injury to the head needs careful monitoring.

Steps to respond:

• If the child is conscious, keep them seated and still
• Apply a cold compress for a minor bump
• Watch for symptoms such as confusion, vomiting, loss of balance, or drowsiness
• If symptoms appear call emergency services at once
• If unconscious, check breathing and open the airway. Begin CPR if required

Record the incident clearly. Inform parents as soon as possible, even for minor head bumps.

Nosebleeds

Children may get nosebleeds from knocks, falls, or changes in temperature.

Steps to respond:

• Stay calm and guide the child to sit down
• Tilt the head slightly forward to prevent blood entering the throat
• Pinch the soft part of the nose for ten minutes
• Reassure the child to breathe through the mouth
• After bleeding stops, remind them not to touch or blow the nose for a few hours

Call for medical help if bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes or if it follows a head injury.

Dental Injuries

A tooth may be knocked out or damaged during play.

Steps to respond:

• For a knocked-out tooth, handle it by the crown, not the root
• Rinse the tooth gently and place it in milk or saliva
• Seek dental advice quickly
• For chipped or broken teeth, keep the child comfortable and contact parents

Record details of how the injury occurred.

Burns and Scalds

Burns can happen from contact with hot objects or liquids.

Steps to respond:

• Remove the child from the source of heat
• Cool the burn under cold running water for at least ten minutes
• Do not use ice or butter on the burn
• Cover with cling film or a sterile burn dressing without touching the affected skin
• For serious burns, large areas, or burns to the face, call emergency services

Never burst blisters. Keep the child calm and seek medical advice.

Eye Injuries

Eyes can be injured by dirt, sand, or sharp objects.

Steps to respond:

• Do not allow the child to rub the eye
• Rinse gently with clean water if something is in the eye
• For chemical injuries, flush the eye for at least ten minutes and call emergency help
• Cover with a sterile eye pad if necessary

Medical attention should be sought for any eye injury.

Electrocution

Electric shocks can occur if a child touches faulty equipment or exposed wires.

Steps to respond:

• Turn off the power source before touching the child
• Call emergency services immediately for serious injuries
• Check breathing and pulse. Begin CPR if the child is not breathing
• Treat burns as described for thermal injuries
• Keep the child still until assessed by a professional

Always report electrical hazards to your manager so repairs can be made.

Choking

Choking is life-threatening and requires instant action.

Steps to respond:

• If the child can cough, encourage them to continue coughing
• If not breathing or speaking, perform back blows followed by abdominal thrusts if trained
• Continue until the blockage is removed or help arrives
• Call emergency services if the item cannot be dislodged quickly

Always supervise children eating and avoid small items that pose a choking risk.

Seizures

Some children may have epilepsy or other conditions causing seizures.

Steps to respond:

• Keep the child safe by moving objects away
• Do not restrain them or put anything in their mouth
• Place a soft object under the head
• After the seizure stops, place the child in the recovery position
• Call emergency services if it lasts more than five minutes, repeats, or if the child does not regain consciousness

Record the event and inform parents immediately.

Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis

Some children have severe allergies to food, insect stings, or other triggers.

Steps to respond:

• Mild reaction: provide antihistamines if agreed in care plan
• Severe reaction: call emergency services immediately
• Administer adrenaline auto-injector if prescribed and trained to use it
• Keep the child lying down and monitor breathing until help arrives

Always follow the child’s allergy care plan closely.

Following Procedures

Once the child is safe, follow organisational rules for recording and reporting. This usually includes:

• Accident forms noting time, location, and cause
• Witness statements if relevant
• Updates to risk assessments if needed
• Informing parents or carers
• Logging any medical treatment given

Accurate records help protect staff and support future safety planning.

Managing the Environment After an Accident

After responding to the injury, check for any hazards still present. Remove or guard them to prevent a repeat incident. This might mean cleaning up spilt water, repairing equipment, or changing supervision arrangements.

Organisations usually require staff to review incidents with the team and decide if changes are needed to improve safety.

Supporting the Child Emotionally

Children can be distressed after an accident. They may feel frightened or embarrassed. Speak calmly. Offer reassurance and let them know you are helping them feel better. Some children may need quiet time away from the group before returning to play.

Watch for any delayed symptoms or ongoing discomfort and respond accordingly.

Communicating with Parents and Carers

Parents must receive clear and honest information about what happened, how it was handled, and any next steps. This builds trust and allows them to watch for side effects once the child is home. For serious incidents, make contact right away rather than waiting until the end of the session.

Written records should match the verbal account. Give parents advice in simple terms and suggest medical follow-up if needed.

Final Thoughts

Responding quickly and correctly to accidents and injuries in a playwork setting protects children and reduces harm. Knowledge, preparation, and calm action are key. Every injury, however small, needs attention so the child feels supported and safe.

By following trained first aid methods, working within organisational procedures, and keeping accurate records, you create a safer play environment. At the same time you show parents and colleagues that you can handle emergencies with competence and care.