Edda 3.3 4.1

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3. Be able to support children and young people to assess and manage risk 4.1. Outline the importance of taking a balanced approach to risk Management It is clear that legislation, policies and procedures play an important role in keeping children and young people safe while in the care of responsible adults. Health and Safety legislation is pivotal in this, although some have agued that the level of policy, in terms of the reach into the everyday lives of children and young people, has led to a risk averse society (Beck, U. 1992; Huntington, R. 2004). To counter this, there is growing debate about the value of allowing children to deal with risks, and about the dangers of overprotection (Lindon, J. 2009). As arguments have…show more content…
2003; Power, M. 2004). For example, if a child is never allowed to cut with scissors they will never learn to use them and develop their fine motor skills, but we as adults must manage the risk by providing child friendly scissors, supervising the child and making them aware of how to hold a scissors when walking around. In the same way, playing on large play equipment outdoors allows children to explore boundaries, their safe limits, and in some cases the consequences of over-stretching themseleves, although hopefully safety measures taken will limit any potential…show more content…
2009). Hence at the heart of managing risk in play is a balancing act between risk and safety (See for example Hillman, M. Adams J. and Whitelegg, J. 1993). Whatever the causes of excessive risk aversion in the past, there now appears a shared view that the way to tackle the problem is to promote a more balanced, thoughtful approach to managing risk (Ball, D., Gill, T., & Spiegal, B. 2002). The Play Policy Implementation Plan states that, what is needed is to ‘respond positively by extending the range of environments and opportunities available for children’s play, while continuing to have due regard for their physical and psychological wellbeing‘ (Better Regulation Commission, 2006). In my view, it is very important that we teach children skills that will help them in managing dangers and risk for themselves. Giving children the opportunity to experience a certain level of risk will help them to develop confidence and competence to take their own balanced approach to risk taking. Children should be allowed to play and explore in a safe environment and make decisions about risk with the help of an adult. Children need to learn how to control risk themselves; by learning what is and is not safe, children and young people will grow in to well rounded and experienced

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