Children's ministry & Sunday school Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Craft tools and materials — Provide age-suitable scissors, glue, and tools; store blades inaccessible to young children. Use non-toxic supplies, supervise hot glue guns by adults only, and allocate tidy zones with trays. Clean spills promptly, and brief children on safe tool passing and seated crafting.
• Medication and care plans — Obtain written care plans for conditions like asthma, epilepsy, or diabetes, with parent consent for administration. Store meds in labelled, secure but accessible containers; check expiry dates; and log any administration promptly, informing parents and safeguarding lead.
• 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.
• Photography and image sharing — Collect image consent at enrolment and clearly mark no-photo children on the register. Limit photography to designated team devices, disable location data, and store images securely with retention periods. Do not post names with images; obtain extra consent for public use.
• Lifting and carrying infants — Encourage carers to carry infants where possible. If staff lift, use stable posture, avoid twisting, and request a second adult for transfers. Use changing tables with guard rails, keep supplies within reach, and never leave a child unattended on elevated surfaces.