While some hazards should always be avoided, others are beneficial to development with a proper risk-assessment process in place, explains Sarah Watkins
In learning about the outdoor environment, children learn about their own capabilities.
In learning about the outdoor environment, children learn about their own capabilities.

My job, as head teacher, is to ensure all children are safe. It’s a crucial part of my role’ –Rebecca Keen, Hurst Hill Primary School.

We must take reasonable steps to protect children from serious harm, but the risk-assessment process can seem complicated. During the various lockdowns, many of us struggled to keep up with the everchanging policies.

Two key terms, ‘hazard’ and ‘risk,’ can cause particular confusion. They are often used interchangeably, but they refer to two very different concepts.

A hazard is something that might cause harm. We tend to think of more obvious examples like an uncovered pond or trailing cables, but behaviours like bullying or neglect can also be classed as hazards.

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