Risk Assessment: After School Club
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| Activity | Weekly after school animal handling club |
|---|---|
| Location | 4 Redvers Road, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9HN (Garden room and outdoor garden area) |
| Schedule | Fridays, 4:30pm – 5:30pm (term-time only) |
| Persons at Risk | Children (ages 5–11), parents/carers, POTG staff, animals |
| Maximum Attendees | 12 children + accompanying adults |
| Assessed by | Ciera O’Rourke (Owner/Lead Practitioner) |
| Review Date | April 2026 (reviewed annually or following incident) |
Risk Rating Matrix
| Likelihood | Severity | Risk Level | Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (1) | Low (1) | Low (1–3) | Acceptable risk – monitor |
| Medium (2) | Medium (2) | Medium (4–6) | Control measures required |
| High (3) | High (3) | High (7–9) | Immediate action required |
1. Premises and Environment Safety
Hazard 1.1: Garden room environment unsuitable or unsafe
Risk Rating: Low (2) – Likelihood: Low (1) × Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Pre-session safety check conducted (trip hazards, electrical safety, heating)
- Room temperature maintained at comfortable level (18–22°C)
- Adequate lighting throughout session (natural light + artificial)
- Floor clear of trip hazards before children arrive
- Furniture arranged to create safe handling zones
- Fire exit clearly marked and accessible
- First aid kit readily accessible and checked monthly
- Electrical equipment PAT tested annually
Residual Risk: Low (1)
Hazard 1.2: Access to unsafe areas (pool, hot tub, main house)
Risk Rating: Medium (6) – Likelihood: Medium (2) × Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Garden room and designated outdoor area only accessible to children
- Clear boundary established between club area and rest of property
- Pool and hot tub area securely fenced/gated and locked during sessions
- Main house remains private – children not permitted inside
- Toilet facilities provided in garden room or designated area only
- Children supervised at all times – never left unattended outdoors
- Parents briefed at registration: children must stay in designated area
- Staff positioned to monitor boundaries during outdoor activities
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 1.3: Garden hazards during outdoor activities
Risk Rating: Medium (4) – Likelihood: Medium (2) × Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Garden area inspected before outdoor activities (litter, animal droppings, sharp objects)
- Weather conditions assessed – outdoor activities only in dry, mild conditions
- Designated safe area for outdoor animal activities (flat, clear ground)
- Garden tools and equipment stored securely away from children
- Poisonous plants identified and children instructed not to touch
- Outdoor activities supervised with minimum 1 adult per 6 children
Residual Risk: Low (2)
2. Arrival, Departure and Safeguarding
Hazard 2.1: Child collected by unauthorized person
Risk Rating: High (6) – Likelihood: Low (2) × Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Registration form requires authorized collection details (names and contact numbers)
- Photo ID requested at registration for authorized collectors
- Register taken at start of each session – all attendees recorded
- Children only released to pre-authorized adults
- ID checked if unfamiliar person collecting (even if named on form)
- Parent/carer must notify POTG in advance if different person collecting
- Children signed out on departure – time and collector recorded
- If authorized person doesn’t arrive, parent/carer called immediately
- Child remains with POTG staff until safe collection arranged
Residual Risk: Low (2)
Hazard 2.2: Child leaving premises unsupervised
Risk Rating: Medium (6) – Likelihood: Medium (2) × Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Garden perimeter is gated and secure
- Main gate closed during sessions – staff positioned near entrance
- Children cannot leave unless collected by authorized adult
- Regular headcounts throughout session
- Children briefed at start: must stay in designated area until collected
- Missing child procedure in place and all staff trained
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 2.3: Safeguarding concerns or allegations
Risk Rating: High (6) – Likelihood: Low (2) × Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- All staff hold current DBS certificates (Ciera: Enhanced DBS No. 001959488871)
- Designated Safeguarding Lead: Ciera O’Rourke
- Professional boundaries maintained at all times
- Safeguarding policy available to parents on request
- All safeguarding concerns reported to Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership
- Record-keeping: attendance registers, incident reports, safeguarding logs maintained
Residual Risk: Low (2)
3. Group Management and Supervision Ratios
Hazard 3.1: Inadequate supervision ratios leading to unsafe behaviour
Risk Rating: Medium (6) – Likelihood: Medium (2) × Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Maximum 12 attendees per session (pre-booking required)
- Minimum staffing: 2 POTG staff for up to 12 attendees (1:6 ratio)
- Parents/carers encouraged to stay and assist (many do)
- Age range: 5–11 years (Reception to Year 6)
- Younger children (5–7) given closer supervision during handling
- Session cancelled if minimum staff ratio cannot be met
- Clear ground rules established at start of each session
- Disruptive behaviour managed immediately – three-strike system in place
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 3.2: Mixed age group causing safety issues
Risk Rating: Medium (4) – Likelihood: Medium (2) × Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Activities adapted for different age groups within session
- Younger children handle gentler animals first (rabbits, guinea pigs)
- Older children given more responsibility (can help demonstrate, assist younger ones)
- Handling instructions tailored to age and ability
- Peer mentoring encouraged (older children model good behaviour)
- Individual needs assessment: children with additional needs given extra support
Residual Risk: Low (2)
4. Animal Handling and Rotation
Hazard 4.1: Animal stress from repeated handling by multiple children
Risk Rating: Medium (4) – Likelihood: Medium (2) × Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Animal rotation system in place – 6–8 different animals per session
- Each animal handled for maximum 10–15 minutes, then rested in carrier
- Not all animals out simultaneously – rotation prevents overstimulation
- Signs of stress monitored continuously (rapid breathing, attempts to hide, aggression)
- Stressed animals removed immediately and not re-introduced that session
- Variety of species used to distribute handling load (mammals, reptiles, birds)
- Very young/sensitive animals not used in after school club (reserved for 1:1 sessions)
- Water and quiet rest areas available for animals throughout session
Residual Risk: Low (2)
Hazard 4.2: Bites, scratches or pecks during child handling
Risk Rating: Medium (6) – Likelihood: High (3) × Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Only well-socialised, regularly handled animals used for after school club
- Clear handling demonstration given before each new animal
- Children seated during handling to minimize drop height
- Handling towels provided for all children
- One animal per child at a time (no passing between children)
- Supervision ratio: 1 adult within arm’s reach of every 3 children handling animals
- Children instructed: gentle touch, quiet voices, no sudden movements
- Animals with claws (hedgehogs, bearded dragons) given to older/experienced children
- First aid kit readily available – minor injuries treated immediately
- Parents informed of any injuries at collection time
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 4.3: Allergic reactions to animal fur, feathers or dander
Risk Rating: Medium (6) – Likelihood: Low (2) × Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Allergy information collected on registration form
- Parents asked to bring inhalers/EpiPens if child has known allergies
- Range of animal types available (fur-free reptiles for allergic children)
- Children with severe allergies can observe without touching
- Hand sanitiser mandatory after handling each animal
- No face-touching during animal handling
- Signs of allergic reaction monitored: rash, wheezing, breathing difficulty
- Emergency procedure: stop handling, administer medication if available, call 999 if severe
- Parent/carer contact details readily accessible
Residual Risk: Low (3)
5. Health, Hygiene and Infection Control
Hazard 5.1: Transmission of zoonotic diseases (animal to human)
Risk Rating: Low (2) – Likelihood: Low (1) × Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- All animals receive regular veterinary health checks (Mark Rowland MRCVS)
- Daily health monitoring – unwell animals not used in sessions
- Hand sanitiser mandatory after every animal contact
- Handwashing facilities available in garden room
- No eating or drinking during animal handling
- Snacks only provided after handwashing at end of session
- Reptile handling areas kept separate from food areas
- Equipment cleaned after each session (carriers, towels, handling baskets)
- Garden room cleaned weekly
Residual Risk: Low (1)
Hazard 5.2: Child with undisclosed medical condition or allergy
Risk Rating: Medium (6) – Likelihood: Low (2) × Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Comprehensive registration form requires medical and allergy information
- Medical information reviewed before each session
- Parents asked to inform POTG of any changes to medical/allergy status
- Children asked at start of each session: ‘Are you feeling well today?’
- Emergency contact details readily available
- Ciera O’Rourke holds paediatric first aid certificate
- First aid kit checked and restocked monthly
Residual Risk: Low (2)
6. Emergency Procedures
Hazard 6.1: Medical emergency (injury, allergic reaction, seizure, asthma attack)
Risk Rating: Medium (6) – Likelihood: Low (2) × Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Paediatric first aid trained staff present (Ciera O’Rourke)
- First aid kit readily accessible and fully stocked
- Mobile phone fully charged with 999 on speed dial
- Full address ready for emergency services: 4 Redvers Road, Warlingham, CR6 9HN
- Parent/carer emergency contact details readily accessible
- Public liability insurance in place (£5M – Policy SALSALIA/J356824/0468/25)
- Incident report completed for all injuries
Emergency Response Procedure:
- Secure all animals in carriers immediately
- Assess situation and administer first aid as appropriate
- Second staff member calls 999 if required and contacts parent/carer
- Other children moved to safe area and supervised
- Incident recorded within 24 hours
Residual Risk: Low (2)
Hazard 6.2: Fire or emergency evacuation
Risk Rating: Low (3) – Likelihood: Low (1) × Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Fire exit clearly marked and accessible from garden room
- Assembly point identified (front driveway)
- Fire evacuation procedure practiced with staff
- Register taken at assembly point to confirm all children accounted for
- Priority: 1) Children evacuate, 2) Staff evacuate, 3) Animals if safe to do so
- Parents/carers contacted immediately
- Smoke alarm tested monthly
Residual Risk: Low (1)
7. Behaviour Management
Hazard 7.1: Disruptive behaviour causing injury to children, animals or staff
Risk Rating: Medium (4) – Likelihood: Medium (2) × Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Ground rules clearly explained at start of each session
- Positive behaviour encouraged and rewarded (verbal praise, stickers)
- Three-strike behaviour system:
- Warning 1: Verbal reminder of rules
- Warning 2: Time out from handling (5 minutes)
- Warning 3: Removed from session, parent called for collection
- Running, shouting or rough play stopped immediately
- Animals removed to safety if behaviour escalates
- Parents informed of behaviour issues at collection time
- Repeated serious behaviour issues may result in exclusion from club
Residual Risk: Low (2)
8. Additional Safeguards and Controls
Insurance and Licensing
- Public Liability Insurance: £5,000,000 (Policy No. SALSALIA/J356824/0468/25)
- Employers Liability Insurance: £10,000,000
- Animal Activities Licence: No. 014153 (Tandridge District Council)
Staff Qualifications and Vetting
- Ciera O’Rourke: BSY Level 3 Animal Assisted Therapy
- Ciera O’Rourke: Paediatric First Aid certified
- Ciera O’Rourke: Enhanced DBS Certificate No. 001959488871
- All staff: Basic DBS checked and DBS Update Service registered
Animal Health and Welfare
- Veterinary care: Mark Rowland MRCVS, Trinity Veterinary Centre, Maidstone
- All animals health-checked daily before sessions
- Maximum working time: 1 hour per session with rotation breaks
- Animals housed on-site in purpose-built facilities
Registration and Booking
- Registration form completed before first attendance
- Information collected: medical conditions, allergies, emergency contacts, collection authorization
- Pre-booking required (maximum 12 children per session)
- Payment: £14 per child, £10 per accompanying adult
- Terms and conditions provided at registration
Educational Benefits
After school club sessions support:
- Animal welfare understanding and empathy development
- Confidence building through hands-on learning
- Science curriculum links (life cycles, habitats, adaptations)
- Social skills and peer interaction
- Responsibility and gentle handling practice
9. Review and Monitoring
This risk assessment is reviewed:
- Annually (or sooner if circumstances change)
- Following any incident, near-miss, or complaint
- If premises layout or access changes
- If new animals are introduced to sessions
All incidents reported to:
- Parents/carers (immediately)
- Insurance company (if claim required)
- Tandridge District Council (Animal Activities Licence)
- HSE if reportable under RIDDOR
| Assessed by: | Ciera O’Rourke | Date: | April 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Next Review: | April 2027 | Signature: |
Pets on the Green Ltd – Company No. 17111255
4 Redvers Road, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9HN
