It’s Schools Plus policy that all of our customers have approved Risk Assessments in place for their bookings with us.
With so many Risk Assessments sent to us for approval, we have picked up a few common tips that we often pass on to our customers throughout the process. We thought it would be helpful to compile these tips and share them with you below!
Tip 1) Research Current Government Guidelines and Local Restrictions
It’s vital that before starting the Risk Assessment process that you research the current Government Guidelines for the location of the school that you are attempting to book. Much of this information will naturally make its way into your COVID-19 Risk Assessment, so you must be up to date.
We understand that local restrictions can change, but we do ask that you make sure the information in your COVID-19 Risk Assessment is on the current stated guidelines at the time of writing.
Key Links:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-local-restrictions
Tip 2) Be as Detailed as Possible
Perhaps the most important advice on our list and it’s something that our expert team members often feedback to our customers throughout the Risk Assessment process.
It’s key that we know everything about your booking, from how people arrive, how participants will leave and everything in between. Knowing this information allows us to make an informed decision based on the further controls you have put in place for any hazards you have identified.
Tip 3) Research Your Activities Governing Body
You might be glad to find out that, much of your Risk Assessment is already written for you!
Many leading national governing bodies, such as England Netball and The Football Association, have great advice and templates on completing COVID-19 Risk Assessments for their sports which they helpfully uploaded online for free.
These resources will often update their advice right after key government announcements, making them a great place to check if you are unsure if your booking can currently go-ahead.
Key Links:
https://www.badmintonengland.co.uk/play/information-regarding-the-coronavirus/
https://www.thefa.com/about-football-association/covid-19
https://www.basketballengland.co.uk/safeguarding/return-to-play-guidance/
https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/1719706/return-of-recreational-cricket-in-england-your-questions-answered
Tip 4) Check Our Example Risk Assessment
We know that filling out Risk Assessments or even hearing about them, can be a brand-new process for some of our customers. To give these customers an idea of what we’re asking for, we often send them our official Example Risk Assessment.
Please note this document is simply a guide and is not meant to be followed or copied as each booking is truly unique. We will need to see how our customers plan to mitigate the potential risks their booking poses
Tip 5) What to Consider with Cleaning and Hygiene
Cleaning must be addressed on your Risk Assessment as this will help us see that your booking will be as COVID secure as possible.
Some factors to consider when addressing issues of cleaning include the following: factoring in regular handwashing or hand sanitisation, avoiding shared equipment and limiting the use of touchpoints such as door handles or windows by members of your booking.
We do carry out enhanced cleaning of our venues, but we recognise how helpful it is for customers to assist in cleaning during and after their bookings.
Tip 6) Consider Capacity Restrictions
In most circumstances booking type, current government restrictions and venue will directly influence if your booking can go ahead. You are always welcome to check venue and facility specifications with us, as we have on record the measurements of mostly all the rooms found within our partner schools. Including this information on your COVID-19 Risk Assessment is always advisable as well.
Tip 7) Check Current OOSS Guidance
If you are putting together a COVID-19 Risk Assessment for a booking that will involve children, then you must familiarise yourself with the latest Out Of School Settings (OOSS) Guidelines.
These regularly updated guidelines will inform you of what is currently possible to do during bookings involving children and what are the best safety practices you can take to ensure that everyone is kept safe.
It’s always helpful if customers include relevant information from guidelines such as this one on their Risk Assessment as it demonstrates they’ve spent the time to research how to improve the safety and lower the risk of their booking.
Tip 8) Take Your Time
A general but very important tip! The last thing we want is for this process to take up all of your free time, however committing a fair amount of time to get this right first or second attempt will save you more time in the long run.
Tip 9) Include A Test and Trace Section
A key detail that must be in all COVID-19 Risk Assessments is a section on Test and Trace. We require that you confirm that you are responsible for recording booking attendance and storing for 21 days minimum and that you agree to share this data with NHS Test and Trace service if required.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/
Tip 10) Check and Update your Risk Assessment Regularly
We know how disruptive the situation with the pandemic remains and we are grateful for everyone trying to do their best and carry on with things safely.
When compiling your COVID-19 Risk Assessment it is vital to write in respect of the regulations in place at the time, however it is also important to respond if the regulations change. We will contact you if the state of your booking changes, it could be affected by a change in Local Restrictions which might mean that your booking can continue but with some changes. If this is the case, we will ask you to update your Risk Assessment. Regularly checking and updating your Risk Assessment is good practice regardless of changes to government guidelines and we will always accept new copies to store on your file.
We hope these tips have helped you feel more confident and prepared to submit your Risk Assessment. Any further questions, as always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
