Explore the Updates and New Additions to the Handsam Library
Updated Quick Guides and Policies
Handsam would like to make you aware of the new or updated Quick Guides you can now access through our Quick Guide Library. We respond to the needs of our customers, through safety issues we encounter on audits or direct requests for content on particular subjects when expanding our resources. This allows us to continue to grow our library around the direct compliance needs of our clients.
PLEASE NOTE THAT POLICIES ARE NOT A PART OF THE "QUICK GUIDES" PACKAGE AND UNLESS THEY ARE COVERED IN YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, THEY MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY.
For more information, contact us on 03332 070737 or email info@handsam.co.uk to find out more.
NEW: RAS90 Risk Assessment Template: Zip Line
The terms ‘Zip Lines’ and ‘Ropes Courses’ cover a wide range of equipment which may be used for recreation, education, training or therapeutic purposes. They include equipment suitable for playgrounds as well as that for more challenging recreation. They provide the participants with thrills, excitement and challenges.
To use this equipment, the participant will be at some height from the ground and may travel at speed so there is the possibility of falls and collisions.
Good equipment and appropriate supervision will control these risks and minimise any injuries.
NEW: RAS91 Risk Assessment Template: Students Using Crutches
Schools may require information from a medical professional (GP, hospital etc) detailing exactly what injury has been sustained before accepting responsibility for a student on crutches. Parent/carer should be contacted prior to the student’s initial return to school to enable the following to be discussed and explained:
· Leaving lessons early;
· General support;
· Medication;
· Arrangements to and from school;
· Emergency contact details can be checked;
· Follow-up appointments noted; and
· PEEP.
Find out more about our Quick Guides and Policies
The Handsam Quick Guides Library contains over 900 documents with all the relevant information, exemplars, checklists and guidance notes you need to ensure you're up to date, including all the DfE, HSE and other formal resources all in one place. It's unique!
Handsam also offers various different policies packages, including providing you with easy-to-use templates for you to tailor yourselves, reviewing your existing policies, or working with you to deliver fully bespoke policies for your school, college or MAT.
If you're not a Handsam client, or you don't buy our Quick Guides or one of our Policies packages, please contact us to discuss how we can help to keep your organisation compliant.
NEW: RAS88 Handling Strike Action in Schools
This document provides advice on keeping schools open on strike days and explains the law on trade disputes and picketing. In the event of strike action at a school, the Department for Education expects the headteacher to take all reasonable steps to keep the school open for as many pupils as possible.
The decision to open, restrict attendance, or close a maintained school is for the headteacher. The decision for academies rests with the academy trust, but is usually delegated to the principal.
It is best practice for headteachers to consult governors, parents and the Local Authority, academy trust or diocesan representative (where appropriate) before deciding whether to close. Headteachers are entitled to ask staff whether they intend to strike.
Employee exemptions could also be negotiated for employees who would otherwise suffer long-term financial loss, such as employees in their last year of service who are in the pension scheme; pregnant women who have notified their employer of maternity leave dates; and employees whose state benefits may be affected if they take part in strike action
The complete government guidance on school strike action is available here: The government guidance on handling strike action in schools.
UPDATED: Quick Guides
Many of our Guides have been significantly updated. They include:
FE12 Extending Schools Charging and Financial Issues
FE14 Insurance Issues
FE15 Pupil Premium
FE04 Capital Funding
FE06 Public Finance Partnerships
PD01 Pupil Discipline: Points of Law
PD02 Pupil Discipline: Sanctions Against Parent
PD08 Confiscating Pupils' Property: Points of Law
PD11 School Uniform
PD21 Screening and Searching Pupils and Confiscating Pupil Property
UPDATED POLICIES
T-POL-CU02: Curriculum Policy
T-POL-CP03: Departmental Health and Safety Policy
T-POL-CP05 Example Remote Learning Policy
T-POL-CP04: Sex and Relationship Education Policy
T-POL-PEG01: Physical Education Policy
T-POL-SC01: Science Department Policy