Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi Everyone, I am studying my Diploma in Children's Services, and am currently working on the unit "Establish and Maintain a Safe and Healthy Environment". The question involves a scenario, and goes like this:

Complacency?
"An analysis of accidents and near misses over the last 3 months involving both children and staff has revealed a disturbing pattern of possible complacency. The analysis shows:
- Most accidents involving children occurred during outdoor late afternoon play
- Most injuries and near misses involving staff occurred when setting up and packing away equipment (outdoors slightly more than indoors)
- Injuries to staff under 25 occurred twice the rate as injuries to staff over 25
- The most common form of injury to children was falls
- The most common form of injury to staff was entrapment of fingers, dropping objects on feet and back strain"


The Director Trish must decide how to address this issue in order to reduce accidents by 50%. Trish knows that the most effective is to engage the team in developing an action plan.

Question:
Devise an action plan for Trish to address the issues. You will need to suggest:
a. Desired Outcomes
b. Strategies - How to best engage the team in finding solutions
c. How to take into account existing policies and procedures
d. What factors are contributing to the likelihood of accidents/near misses (human/physical)?
e. Address training needs
f. Write a criteria for evaluating the action plan

I have attempted to answer this, yet, have gotten nowhere

OK so first use the information within the scenario to help work out possible strategies to resolve accidents and injuries.

Most accidents involving children occurred during outdoor late afternoon play

Is this occurring because of lack of supervision?
Children are too hyperactive?
Is there uneven flooring outside?
What hazards are causing the children to fall?

What strategies can be used to solve this?

Think of other ways to occupy the children other than playing outside...
Does any hazards outside need to be addressed
Are there enough staff to supervise?

The most common form of injury to staff was entrapment of fingers, dropping objects on feet and back strain"

- Do doors need door stops, to stop it from closing straight away?
- Staff need to understand Back Care and how to correctly lift objects
- Staff should be trained in manual handling

Now with this information it should help you complete your action plan...

Hope this helps,

,
Lorina

Hi Lorina,
I answered
c)Policies and proceedures - look at what you are doing now and what isn't working. Eg staff ratios - maybe you need and extra staff member to supervise the children at that time ,or change the packing up the equipment at that time of day...

but was commented as below:
You are to name the policies example- supervision policy, Hazard item identification, manual handling policy and procedure…

What changes- compare what happens now and what can be change how will you do that.

Please help!!!!

for the same scenario i dont understand what the question is aking us
d. What factors are contributing to the likelihood of accidents/near misses (human/physical)?

I need help with
g) Criteria for evaluation

Thanks Lorina, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer!!!

Thanks Lorina, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer!!!