HSE: Children’s Play and Leisure – Promoting a Balanced Approach

At a GfL / Play Scotland event in Edinburgh today, Allison Spears from HSE in Scotland presented HSE’s High Level Statement on Play and Risk, which recognises the benefits of allowing children and young people of all ages and abilities to have challenging play opportunities.

The recent HSE statement acknowledges that “Health and safety laws and regulations are sometimes presented as a reason why certain play and leisure activities undertaken by children and young people should be discouraged. The reasons for this misunderstanding are many and varied. They include fears of litigation or criminal prosecution because even the most trivial risk has not been removed. There can be frustration with the amounts of paperwork involved, and misunderstanding about what needs to be done to control significant risks.”

Commenting on the statement, GfL’s Programme Manager, Alastair Seaman, said “We know the vital importance of enabling children to experience well managed adventurous play experiences. This statement clears the way for schools, early years settings and Local Authorities to begin to provide what we know children need. Health and safety considerations will always be important, but no longer can they be considered an excuse for dull school playgrounds”.

HSE: Children’s Play and Leisure – Promoting a Balanced Approach