Health and Safety Policy

Purpose Driven Youth
Date of Issue: September 2025
Review Date: September 2026

1. Statement of Intent

At Purpose Driven Youth, we are committed to ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and wellbeing of all our staff, volunteers, young people, and anyone who may be affected by our activities.

We recognise our duty of care and our responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and related legislation, and aim to foster a culture where safety is understood, prioritised, and consistently upheld.

2. Scope of Policy

This policy applies to:

  • All staff (including freelance tutors and mentors)

  • Volunteers

  • Young people participating in our programmes

  • Visitors and members of the public engaging with Purpose Driven Youth activities

  • Both in-person and online environments

This policy covers all premises where we operate, including community centres, educational venues, and remote/virtual settings.

3. Responsibilities

3.1 Company Responsibilities

Purpose Driven Youth will:

  • Provide a safe working environment with appropriate welfare facilities

  • Conduct regular risk assessments and implement control measures

  • Provide information, instruction and training to enable safe working

  • Maintain equipment in a safe condition

  • Ensure emergency procedures are in place and known to all staff

  • Promote good mental and physical health practices

3.2 Employee and Volunteer Responsibilities

All staff and volunteers must:

  • Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others

  • Co-operate with the company on health and safety matters

  • Report hazards, incidents or near misses to a manager or the Health and Safety Officer

  • Use equipment and facilities safely and appropriately

  • Follow risk assessments, procedures, and codes of conduct

4. Health and Safety Officer

Our Health and Safety Officer is responsible for overseeing this policy and ensuring compliance across all locations and activities.

Name: Michael Olarewaju
Email: Michael@purposedrivenyouth.co.uk
Phone: 073 5959 9827

In their absence, Zoe Olarewaju - Director, will assume responsibility.

5. Risk Assessments

We carry out thorough risk assessments for:

  • Face-to-face tutoring and mentoring sessions

  • Off-site visits, workshops and events

  • Online activities and platforms

  • Use of equipment or facilities (e.g. interactive tech, whiteboards)

  • Lone working or one-to-one sessions

Risk assessments are reviewed at least annually or following any significant change or incident.

6. First Aid and Medical Needs

  • A suitable number of staff are trained in Paediatric and/or Emergency First Aid.

  • First Aid kits are available at all in-person venues and checked regularly.

  • Staff should be aware of any relevant medical needs or allergies of young people they work with, as appropriate.

  • In the event of an injury or illness, parents/carers will be informed promptly.

In an emergency, staff should call 999 and notify the Health and Safety Officer as soon as possible.

7. Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures

  • All venues used will have an appropriate fire risk assessment in place.

  • Staff and volunteers must familiarise themselves with fire exits, evacuation points, and assembly areas.

  • Fire drills will be practised where required by venue policy.

  • In the event of a fire or emergency, the priority is always the safe evacuation of all individuals.

8. Online Safety and Digital Health

As a blended organisation delivering both online and in-person services, we take digital safety seriously:

  • Tutors and mentors must only use company-approved platforms.

  • Young people should never be contacted through personal social media accounts.

  • Online sessions should be conducted in a quiet, safe space and recorded where necessary.

  • Regular breaks are encouraged to reduce screen fatigue and maintain focus.

  • Staff should be aware of online safeguarding concerns such as cyberbullying or digital exploitation.

Refer to our Online Safety Policy for full details.

9. Mental Health and Wellbeing

We are committed to promoting a culture of positive mental health and wellbeing:

  • Staff and volunteers are encouraged to speak openly about mental health.

  • We provide access to wellbeing resources and signpost support services.

  • We recognise the potential emotional toll of mentoring and tutoring work and provide appropriate supervision or debriefing where necessary.

  • Staff are expected to be mindful of the emotional wellbeing of young people and raise any concerns with the Safeguarding Lead.

10. Incident Reporting and Investigation

All accidents, incidents, or near misses must be:

  1. Reported immediately to the Health and Safety Officer or site manager

  2. Logged in the incident report log (electronic or paper-based)

  3. Investigated, where necessary, to prevent recurrence

  4. Reviewed as part of ongoing risk management

Serious incidents may require reporting under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013).

11. Training and Supervision

All new staff and volunteers receive a health and safety induction, covering:

  • Fire and emergency procedures

  • Safe working practices

  • Lone working

  • Online safety

  • First aid and accident reporting

  • Safeguarding links with health and safety

Ongoing training is provided as required.

12. Review and Monitoring

This policy will be reviewed:

  • Annually

  • After a serious incident or near miss

  • In line with legislative or operational changes

The Health and Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring the policy remains current and relevant.

13. Policy Approval and Sign-Off

Signed: ______________
Name: Michael Olarewaju
Position: Director, Purpose Driven Youth
Date: September 2025