Ensure children's health and safety

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CHCCN1D	Ensure children's health and safety
Unit Descriptor	This unit maps to: · CHCCN1A - Maintain a healthy and safe environment · CHCCN4A - Respond to illness, accidents and emergencies (Element 4) · CHCNC6A - Travel with children safely.

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1 . Maintain a clean and hygienic environment	Cleaning occurs as an ongoing process as per regulations Appropriate cleaning agents are used Infection control procedures are followed Ventilation, lighting and heating/cooling is adequately maintained Personal hygiene/health procedures are adhered to at all times Beds and bedding conform to health, hygiene and safety requirements as relevant
2 . Provide a safe environment	Sun protection procedures are implemented Tools, equipment, toys and games are appropriate to the age of the child Equipment is selected, checked and maintained to ensure safety The environment is set up to ensure safety Area is checked for hazards and risk reduction strategies are implemented Fire exits are kept unobstructed Disposal of waste materials occurs in a safe and hygienic way Cleaning materials are stored safely
3 . Supervise the safety of children	Children are supervised in accordance with legal requirements and regulations Rules for safe play are explained to children and implemented Direct contact with individuals/group is maintained Potential risks are identified and actions taken to minimise/reduce risk Hazards and potential hazards in the environment are explained to children Emergencies and evacuation procedures are discussed and practiced with children Supervision is used as an opportunity to interact with children
4 . Travel with children safely	Procedures for safety on excursions are implemented Children are supervised as closely as required for their ages, abilities, the contexts Children's behaviour is monitored during travel and safe, appropriate behaviour is reinforced Children are instructed/reminded to follow relevant legal requirements Risk situations are identified and strategies developed and implemented to minimise risk Potential hazards are observed and strategies developed to increase safety Implements set procedures to ensure children all children are accounted for
5 . Administer medication within guidelines	Medication is administered according to organisational policies and legislative requirements Medication is stored according to requirements Medication is checked for name, instructions and use by date All administered medications are documented in accordance with requirements

Key Competency	Examples of Application	Performance Level
How can information be collected, analysed and organised?
How are ideas and information communicated within this competency?
How are activities planned and organised?
How are problem solving skills applied?
How are mathematical ideas and techniques used?
How is use of technology applied?
How is team work used within this competency?

Range Statement

Legal requirements and regulations regarding supervision may include:

Staff/children ratios
Babies are never left unattended in the bath or on change table

Cleaning may include:

Disinfecting nappy change areas
Washing floor
Vacuuming
Disinfecting toilet areas

Disposal of waste materials may include:

Nappies
Soiled tissues/wipes

In remote and isolated areas:

Alternative methods for rest eg. Hammocks

Organisational procedures implemented for safety on excursions can include:

Legal/legislative requirements
Organisational policies regarding excursions.

Checking area for hazards may include checking for:

Needles/sharp implements in outdoor areas
Animal droppings in outdoor areas

Maintaining direct contact with child will vary according to:

Child's age
Child's level of independence/dependence
Child's safety/risk taking behaviours
Activity child is involved in
Ability of child

Contact can include:

Sight
Sound
Glass viewing windows
Line of sight
Within physical reach

Potential risks may be:

Babies learning to eat solid foods
Children learning new skills such as walking, balancing

Particular "combinations" of children playing together
Babies going to sleep with a bottle
Risk of dehydration on very hot days
SIDS
When children are attempting an activity that may be beyond their previous ability

Rules for safe play may include:

Use of equipment
How children play together

Providing a safe environment and risk reduction strategies will vary according to whether the location is:

A purpose designed and built centre
Non purpose built centre
A home
Appropriate for the age range of children

Hazards may be identified to children in a range of ways:

Verbally
By signs
By symbols

Risk reduction strategies may include:

Gates on stairs
Covers on electrical sockets
Removal/locking away of dangerous substances.
Close supervision of any children in kitchens
Fences and gates, locking mechanisms
Out of bounds areas
Vacuuming/sweeping floors to remove small or dangerous objects
Particularly close supervision in some areas
Placing babies/infants to sleep in positions recommended for prevention of SIDS

Children may be required to be transported:

From school to service
For excursions, outings
To activities
To and from care provider
During fire/emergency evacuations

Children may be transported by:

Mini bus
Car
Public transport
Foot
Push bike

Legal requirements that children are to follow may include:

Wearing seat belts in cars
Appropriate behaviour in public transport
Wearing of bike safety helmet
Regulatory requirements for each sector and state
Child/adult ratios

Legal requirement that workers are to follow include:

Regulatory requirements for each sector and state
Child/adult ratios
Holding current drivers licence
Car restraints are fitted properly
Ensure seat belts are done up
Ensure safety seats and baby capsules are secure

Risk situations include:

Crowding
High traffic spots
Poor visibility
Distractions
Poor/dangerous driving

Risks vary according to:

Children's ages/stages of development
Size of group
Composition of group

Requirements for the administration of medication may include:

Legislative guidelines
Organisation procedures

Requirements for storage of medication may include:

Temperature required
Level of security required
Organisational procedure and procedures
Legislative requirements

Evidence Guide

Critical aspects of assessment:

Demonstrated ability to provide a clean and safe environment for children
Assessors are recommended to particularly look for:
Observe personal hygiene to prevent cross infection eg. Hand washing
Models safe behaviours and hygiene practices
Demonstrated ability to ensure children are transported safely
Knowledge of legal requirements are implemented in work practices
In relation to the administration of medication further guidance may be sought from unit CHCCS304A Assist with self medication

Essential knowledge:

Up to date knowledge of regulations are understood
Regulations on safety, health and hygiene
Potential hazards to children
Hazards of traffic for children
Risk minimisation strategies and risk reduction strategies
The spread of infectious diseases and cross infection
Strategies to minimise the spread of infectious diseases
Developmental stage appropriate toys and equipment - safety and risks
Legal requirements for supervision including worker - child ratios
Organisational standards, policies and procedures
Road safety awareness
Road safety procedures
Guidelines for administration of medication

For home based care:

Hazards in home environment

Essential skills:

Risk minimisation strategies and risk reduction strategies
Strategies to minimise the spread of infectious diseases
Interpersonal safe use of equipment and materials
Strategies for developing responsible behaviour by children in cars and buses
Developing children's road safety awareness

Resource implications:

Assessment requires access to a range of opportunities defined in the Range Statement. This includes:
A childcare workplace
Access to children's services, resources and equipment
Access to the local environment
Access to cleaning equipment and materials
Occupational health and safety policies and procedures

Context of assessment:

This unit could be assessed either on the job or off the job through an appropriate workplace simulation for a range of age groups, and a range of conditions over a number of assessment situations