M1 – Describe how health and safety legislation, policies and procedures promote the
safety of individuals in a health or social care setting
Legislations
Food Safety Act;
In the setting of an infant school with young children, this legislation would take place in the school
canteen. Young children can be more prone to illness, which means this legislation is especially important in
a school canteen setting. Also, children are growing so they need the right nutrients for growth, such as
carbohydrates and fats for energy, protein for building, maintaining and repairing body tissue, calcium for
strong bones and teeth, and lastly iron for expanding blood volume. This legislation promotes the health
and safety of young children because it ensures that the food served to children is suitable for human
consumption and is handled carefully. If this legislation was not passed many more children would get food
poisoning from contaminated food, which would also result in more days off school and academic setbacks.
Data Protection Act;
In the setting of an infant school with young children, this legislation would take place in the school office.
The school office is a place that has a lot of personal data, such as children's/ parent's names, addresses,
contact numbers etc. This information is very private, and it can be dangerous if it gets in the wrong hands.
Therefore, it is important that the school office keeps this information as safe as possible, for example by
using monitoring systems. This legislation promotes health and safety of young children, because it means
that no strangers can contact them or know where to find them. Young children may not be aware that
strangers can be dangerous, therefore, this legislation provides this safety for them as well as their parents.
Reporting of Injuries;
In the setting of an infant school with young children, this legislation would take place all throughout the
whole school. Any serious injuries or illnesses must be reported, as they may cause harm to other pupils/
parents. For example, if there is a contagious disease going around the school parents must be informed to
prevent further spreading of the disease. If this is not reported, more children will catch the disease and
can pass it onto other people at home. Another example would be, if a child seriously injures itself using
school equipment this must be reported, to prevent other children from injuring themselves using the
same equipment. This legislation promotes health and safety of young children because it means that if
there are any hazards, they can be reported and dealt with before the child gets hurt or ill.
Policies/Procedures
Safeguarding;
In the setting of an infant school with young children, this policy would take place all throughout the whole
school. This is because children are vulnerable and need protection at all times, they should never be left
un-supervised. For example, children must all be treated equally, a teacher cannot favour one student over
another. Treating children differently can lead to a feeling of being neglected, which can affect the child's
education due to the lack of attention and support it is receiving. This policy promotes the health and
safety of young children because it ensures that no member of staff can mistreat a child, whether it is
physically, psychologically or emotionally. This makes an infant school a safe environment for a young child.
Health and safety;
safety of individuals in a health or social care setting
Legislations
Food Safety Act;
In the setting of an infant school with young children, this legislation would take place in the school
canteen. Young children can be more prone to illness, which means this legislation is especially important in
a school canteen setting. Also, children are growing so they need the right nutrients for growth, such as
carbohydrates and fats for energy, protein for building, maintaining and repairing body tissue, calcium for
strong bones and teeth, and lastly iron for expanding blood volume. This legislation promotes the health
and safety of young children because it ensures that the food served to children is suitable for human
consumption and is handled carefully. If this legislation was not passed many more children would get food
poisoning from contaminated food, which would also result in more days off school and academic setbacks.
Data Protection Act;
In the setting of an infant school with young children, this legislation would take place in the school office.
The school office is a place that has a lot of personal data, such as children's/ parent's names, addresses,
contact numbers etc. This information is very private, and it can be dangerous if it gets in the wrong hands.
Therefore, it is important that the school office keeps this information as safe as possible, for example by
using monitoring systems. This legislation promotes health and safety of young children, because it means
that no strangers can contact them or know where to find them. Young children may not be aware that
strangers can be dangerous, therefore, this legislation provides this safety for them as well as their parents.
Reporting of Injuries;
In the setting of an infant school with young children, this legislation would take place all throughout the
whole school. Any serious injuries or illnesses must be reported, as they may cause harm to other pupils/
parents. For example, if there is a contagious disease going around the school parents must be informed to
prevent further spreading of the disease. If this is not reported, more children will catch the disease and
can pass it onto other people at home. Another example would be, if a child seriously injures itself using
school equipment this must be reported, to prevent other children from injuring themselves using the
same equipment. This legislation promotes health and safety of young children because it means that if
there are any hazards, they can be reported and dealt with before the child gets hurt or ill.
Policies/Procedures
Safeguarding;
In the setting of an infant school with young children, this policy would take place all throughout the whole
school. This is because children are vulnerable and need protection at all times, they should never be left
un-supervised. For example, children must all be treated equally, a teacher cannot favour one student over
another. Treating children differently can lead to a feeling of being neglected, which can affect the child's
education due to the lack of attention and support it is receiving. This policy promotes the health and
safety of young children because it ensures that no member of staff can mistreat a child, whether it is
physically, psychologically or emotionally. This makes an infant school a safe environment for a young child.
Health and safety;
