Partnership Working

Services involved in engaging service providers and contractors must satisfy themselves that each provider has the necessary resources and arrangements in place to work safely when providing services to or on behalf of Buckinghamshire Council. Each service area is responsible for developing procurement and monitoring systems or quality assurance systems appropriate to the service delivery required.

All providers must comply with the Health and Safety legislation applicable to their undertaking and liaise with service area managers to address specific risks where identified in the monitoring process. Staff responsible for monitoring standards on behalf of BC should attend appropriate training to recognise significant risks relating to moving and handling and seek further advice.

Managers/ Headteachers are responsible for ensuring service providers follow safe systems of work and bring to the provider’s attention any unsafe practices. All staff must report to their Line Manager significant health and safety hazards they observe in the services supplied by contractors and suppliers.

5.1     The County Specialist Manual Handling Consultant Applicable to Educational Settings will:

• develop and deliver a training programme for all staff directly involved in pupil handling, including annual updates when requested by the school;
• develop and deliver further training for Load Risk Assessors/SENCO’s or other appropriate persons, to include pupil handling risk assessment and problem solving;
• provide support and advice to Load Risk Assessors/SENCO’s or other appropriate persons, by telephone or other means;
• undertake an individual moving and handling assessment for pupils with complex moving and handling needs in conjunction with a health professional when requested by the Local Authority;
• liaise with the Occupational Therapist / Physio and where appropriate attend the assessment of the manual handling assessment; an information sheet on the pupils condition and history to be undertaken before the assessment;
• request the school to contact the pupil’s parent(s)/guardian(s) so that they can be present whilst the assessment is undertaken;
• provide a report of the assessment to the school, SEN Team identifying the action required and full details of suppliers where additional equipment may be sourced;
• provide specific training on their risk assessment for school staff