Review the system, policies and procedures for communicating information on health and safety in your chosen workplace.

Assignment Brief

Unit 4.25

Health and Safety in the Health and Social Care Workplace

Context

You are required to carry out the assessment tasks within a specific health or social care context to which you have access for research purposes. This may be the organisation you work for or one that you research and visit for the purposes of your assessment and learning.

Task 1

The health and safety subcommittee of senior management wishes to ensure they have considered all relevant health and safety legislation. You should research relevant legislation and analyse its implementation. Compile a report that:

1. Reviews the systems, policies and procedures for communicating information on health and safety in your chosen workplace, in accordance with legislative requirements and identifies how it complies with legislation and any areas where it does not
2. Assesses the legal responsibilities for the management of health and safety in relation to the organisational structures
3. Analyses health and safety priorities appropriate to your chosen workplace. Reviews the systems, policies and procedures for communicating information on health and safety in your chosen workplace, in accordance with legislative requirements and identifies how it complies with legislation and any areas where it does not

Attach a bibliography of your research sources.

This task covers assessment criteria 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3

Task 2

Senior management want to assess the impact of health and safety requirements on customers and the work of practitioners; and to look at the effectiveness of health and safety policy and practices. Prepare a report or a presentation focused on your chosen workplace that:

1. Analyses how information from risk assessments informs care planning for individuals and organisational decision-making about policies and procedures
2. Analyses the impact of one aspect of health and safety policy on health and social care practice and its customers
3. Discusses ways in which dilemmas encountered in relation to implementing systems and policies for health, safety and security may be addressed
4. Analyses the effectiveness of health and safety policies and practices in the workplace in promoting a positive, healthy and safe culture (including an explanation of how health and safety policies and practices are monitored and reviewed)
5. Analyses the effect of non-compliance with health and safety legislation

If you prepare a presentation, you should submit your research and presentation material to your tutors for assessment.

Attach a bibliography of your research sources.

This task covers assessment criteria 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1 and 3.2

Task 3

Your line manager has asked that you evaluate your own contribution to placing the health and safety needs of individuals at the centre of practice. Carry out an evaluation and write detailed notes on your findings in preparation for a discussion with your manager.

This task covers assessment criteria 3.3

Guidelines for assessors

The assignment submitted by students must achieve the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by the assessment criteria for the unit. The suggested evidence listed below is how students can demonstrate that they have met the required standard.

Sample Answer

Task 1: Review of Health and Safety Legislation, Responsibilities and Priorities

1.1 Reviewing Systems, Policies and Procedures for Health and Safety Communication

In my chosen workplace , a residential care home , health and safety communication is managed through clear policies, regular staff meetings, and training sessions. Staff are given access to the health and safety policy handbook and updates are shared during team meetings and via noticeboards. New employees receive health and safety induction training, and risk assessments are reviewed regularly.

Legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires that employees are informed about risks and how to manage them. Our care home complies well with this legislation by using written and verbal methods to communicate safety issues. However, there is room for improvement in updating some risk assessments more frequently and ensuring that agency staff receive the same level of training.

1.2 Legal Responsibilities in Organisational Structure

The manager of the care home holds the main responsibility for ensuring legal compliance. This includes conducting risk assessments, reporting incidents, and making sure staff are trained. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must carry out risk assessments and act upon their findings.

Team leaders are responsible for enforcing daily safety practices, such as infection control and moving and handling techniques. All staff have a legal duty under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act to take care of themselves and others and to cooperate with health and safety procedures.

1.3 Analysing Health and Safety Priorities

Key health and safety priorities in a care home include:

• Preventing slips, trips, and falls

• Infection prevention and control

• Safe moving and handling of residents

• Proper medication storage and administration

• Fire safety

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of PPE use, hand hygiene, and isolation protocols. Infection control has since remained a top priority, with increased cleaning schedules and ongoing staff training.

Task 2: Evaluating Impact, Effectiveness and Challenges of Health and Safety Policies

2.1 Risk Assessments Informing Care and Organisational Policy

Risk assessments are vital in shaping individual care plans. For example, if a resident is at high risk of falling, their plan includes safety checks, use of bed rails, and staff assistance during mobility. On an organisational level, data from these assessments helps identify common hazards and improve procedures , such as increased staff coverage in high-risk areas or new equipment purchases.

2.2 Impact of One Health and Safety Policy

The Moving and Handling Policy has greatly impacted daily practice. Staff receive training to move residents safely using hoists or slide sheets, reducing injury risks to both residents and staff. Customers benefit from being moved with dignity and care, while staff are protected from back injuries. However, under-staffing sometimes makes it difficult to follow this policy properly.

2.3 Addressing Dilemmas in Implementation

Common dilemmas include balancing safety with individual rights. For instance, a resident may refuse to use a walking aid even when it is advised for their safety. In such cases, staff must respect their autonomy but also document the risks and try to find a compromise, such as involving family or using softer communication strategies.

2.4 Analysing the Effectiveness of Policies

Our care home’s policies have helped promote a strong safety culture. Regular audits, monthly safety meetings, and staff feedback help ensure policies remain effective. However, monitoring systems could be improved through digital tools that track training completion and incidents more efficiently.

Continued...