Children's ministry & Sunday school Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Behaviour incidents and additional needs — Agree simple behaviour rules, use positive reinforcement, and de-escalate with calm voices and space. Record triggers and accommodations for SEND, brief one-to-one helpers, and avoid physical restraint except to prevent immediate harm by trained staff under policy.
• Outdoor play areas — Check gates, fencing, and surfacing before use; remove litter, glass, and animal fouling. Define boundaries, position adults at corners, and set whistle signals. Provide weather-appropriate clothing, water, and shade, and adapt duration to temperature and UV conditions.
• Registration and collection procedures — Operate pre-registration and sign-in/out with photo ID checks, record attendance and contact details, and issue pickup tokens. Brief volunteers on authorised collectors, hold children in the room until verified, and escalate to the safeguarding lead if a mismatch occurs.
• Allergies and food handling — Collect allergy info at registration, label snacks clearly, and avoid high-risk items like nuts without written consent. Use colour-coded utensils, segregate foods, wash hands before serving, and keep an epinephrine and first-aid kit accessible with trained adults present.
• Fire evacuation with children — Keep exits clear, display child-friendly route maps, and practice termly drills. Assign leaders sweep and register roles, grab attendance list and meds bag, and move to a safe assembly point. Do not re-enter until declared safe, and debrief to improve the plan after any incident.