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Health & Safety Policy

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Statement of Intent

NI Private Speech Therapy is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of clients, families, and the therapist during all professional activities. This includes compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999), and UK GDPR / Data Protection Act (2018).

Effective health and safety management relies on the ongoing identification, assessment, and management of risk.
Risk assessments are carried out as required, including before and during service delivery where environments, client needs, or working arrangements change. Formal risk assessments are reviewed at least annually and following any significant incident or change in practice.

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Responsibilities

Speech and Language Therapist / Business Owner

  • Implement, maintain, and review health and safety arrangements

  • Carry out and review risk assessments annually and as required

  • Maintain safe working environments and safe systems of work

  • Ensure infection control procedures and hygiene standards are followed

  • Report and record all accidents, incidents, and near-misses

 

Clients and Carers

  • Follow safety instructions provided

  • Inform the therapist of any potential risks (e.g. allergies, behavioural triggers)

  • Maintain a safe and clear environment for home visits

 

Health and Safety Arrangements

a. Infection Control

  • Hand hygiene before and after each session

  • Disinfection of therapy tools and surfaces between clients

  • Option for remote therapy if clients or therapist are unwell

b. Equipment Safety

  • Regular equipment checks

  • Replacement of worn or unsafe materials

c. Lone Working

  • Maintain a visit log and appointment diary

  • Share schedules with a trusted contact

  • Avoid unsafe environments or situations

  • Use professional judgement to withdraw from situations that feel unsafe

d. Safeguarding

  • Follow local safeguarding procedures for children and adults at risk

  • Maintain an enhanced DBS check

  • Maintain up-to-date safeguarding training

e. Fire and Emergency Preparedness

  • Identify fire exits in all venues

  • Keep emergency contacts and a first aid kit accessible

f. Accident and Incident Reporting

  • Record any accident, injury, or near-miss in a logbook

  • Review procedures following incidents to reduce future risk

g. Data Protection

  • Comply with UK GDPR

  • Securely store electronic and paper records

  • Dispose of data safely after the retention period

See privacy policy for more details

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Training and Competence

The therapist will maintain continuing professional development (CPD) in areas relevant to safe and effective practice, including:

  • clinical practice

  • infection control

  • safeguarding

  • lone working

  • health and safety

 

CPD supports ongoing risk awareness, professional judgement, and the ability to identify and respond appropriately to changing risks across different working environments.

Emergency procedures and lone working arrangements will be reviewed through reflective practice and following any significant incident, near-miss, or change in service delivery.

 

Risk Assessment

This risk assessment supports the Health and Safety Policy and outlines the key hazards and control measures relevant to the delivery of speech and language therapy services.

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Scope

This assessment covers all activities undertaken by the Speech and Language Therapist, including clinic-based, domiciliary (home), and school/nursery visits.

Dynamic risk assessment is used to identify and manage risks for individual clients, lone working situations, and different service settings, in addition to the formal annual review.

 

Hazard Identification and Control Measures

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The therapist takes reasonable steps to identify and manage risks associated with service delivery. Potential hazards include slips, trips, and falls, which are managed through visual checks of the environment before sessions, safe storage of equipment and resources, and appropriate footwear. Infection risks, including COVID-19 and seasonal illnesses, are managed through infection control procedures such as hand hygiene before and after sessions, cleaning equipment between clients, use of personal protective equipment where required, and avoiding in-person sessions when unwell.

 

Manual handling risks related to carrying therapy resources are reduced through the use of lightweight or wheeled equipment, avoiding overloading, and maintaining appropriate posture and lifting techniques. The risk of aggression or challenging behaviour is managed through individual risk assessment, ensuring clear exit access, use of de-escalation strategies, and working in partnership with parents, carers, or staff to support behaviour safely.

 

Allergic reactions are minimised by checking allergies during the client intake process, avoiding allergenic materials, and using hypoallergenic cleaning products. Risks relating to data protection and confidentiality are managed through the use of encrypted devices, password-protected systems, GDPR-compliant record keeping, and anonymisation of information where appropriate.

 

Lone working risks are reduced by maintaining an up-to-date appointment diary, sharing visit details with a trusted contact, using a check-in and check-out system where appropriate, and relying on professional judgement to withdraw from situations that feel unsafe. Fire safety risks in clinic settings are managed by being aware of fire procedures, maintaining clear access to exits, and following evacuation procedures where required.

 

Risks associated with therapy materials and equipment, including choking hazards or damage, are managed through close supervision at all times, use of age-appropriate resources, and regular checking of equipment for wear or damage.

 

Risks associated with driving to appointments are reduced by maintaining valid insurance, ensuring vehicles are roadworthy, allowing sufficient travel time, and avoiding driving when fatigued.

 

Residual risk across these areas is considered low when control measures are followed.

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Emergency Procedures

  • Accident or injury: Provide first aid, contact emergency services if required, and record the incident.

  • Fire: Follow evacuation procedures, ensure clients are safe, and call 999 if needed.

  • Infection outbreak: Follow public health guidance, postpone in-person sessions, and offer teletherapy alternatives.

Monitoring and Review

The risk assessment will be reviewed annually, or sooner following:

  • a significant incident or near-miss

  • a change in working environment

  • changes to service delivery

Records of reviews and incidents will be maintained to support continuous improvement.

 

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if circumstances change or following an incident.

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Last review: 13th January 2026
Policy owner: Suzanne Turner, BMedSci (Hons), MRCSLT, Reg HCPC

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