Volunteer resources

Health, Safety & Wellbeing: Top Tips for Volunteers

1. Manual Handling
Lifting and moving items safely helps prevent injury to you and others.
Top tips:

• Think before you lift – do you need help or equipment?
• Keep your back straight and bend your knees, not your back
• Hold items close to your body for better balance
• Avoid twisting while lifting – turn with your feet instead
  Break loads into smaller, manageable parts where possible
• Stop if something feels too heavy or unsafe

2. Working at Height
During home visits, you are not expected to carry out tasks at height. However, you may
occasionally be asked to reach something from a higher place.
Top tips:

• You are not expected to work at height as part of your role
• It’s always okay to say no if you feel uncomfortable or unable to do something
• Never attempt anything that feels unsafe or beyond your ability
• Never stand on unsuitable items like chairs or boxes chairs.
• Only use appropriate equipment if it is safe and you feel confident to do so
• If in doubt, politely decline and suggest the family make alternative arrangements

3. Home Visiting
Home visits are a vital part of support, and a calm, safe approach helps everyone feel
comfortable.
Top tips:

• Plan your visit in advance and ensure someone knows where you’ll be
• Take a moment to assess the environment when you arrive
• Keep your phone charged and accessible
• Park in a safe, well-lit place where possible
• Be respectful of the home environment and family routines
• Position yourself where you feel safe and able to leave easily if needed
• Trust your instincts – if something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to leave
• Keep professional boundaries while remaining warm and supportive, keep visits
  focused on supporting the family
• Do not visit families if you are ill and ensure you are fully recovered especially if you
  have been vomiting, diarrhoea or had an active cold sore
• Record and report any concerns promptly after the visit

4. Safer Sleep for Babies
Following safer sleep guidance helps reduce the risk of harm to babies.
Top tips:

• Always place babies on their back to sleep
• Keep the baby’s sleep space clear (no pillows, toys, or loose bedding)
• Use a firm, flat mattress in a cot or Moses basket
• Keep baby smoke-free and vape-free
• Never sleep on a sofa or armchair with a baby
• Keep eyes on baby for the first 6 months
• Always wash your hands before handling a young baby, ask the parents’
  permission. Never kiss a baby.

5. Dogs and Pets in the Home
Dogs are part of many family homes, but we need to make sure visits are safe and calm for everyone.
Top tips:

• We ask that dogs are kept in a separate room during volunteer visits. This helps create a calm and safe environment for everyone
• Supporting children in the home if a parent or carer has left you looking after
  children- cannot go ahead if a dog is in the home, even if it is in another room
• It is always okay to pause or rearrange a visit if this cannot be put in place

If you arrive and the dog has not been moved:

• Gently remind the family of the arrangement and ask for the dog to be put in
  another room
• Wait somewhere safe while this is done
• If it cannot be sorted, do not continue the visit and report back afterwards
• Your safety and the wellbeing of children always come first

First Aid Toolkit for Volunteers

Supporting Babies and Children During Short Periods of Care
This toolkit is for Home-Start volunteers who may occasionally supervise or support children
for short periods of time as part of the “Looking After Children in the Absence of Parents” policy.

Children should only be supported when they are well enough to take part in normal daily
activities. However, accidents and sudden illness can sometimes happen unexpectedly.
This guidance gives simple practical advice to help volunteers respond calmly and safely if a
child becomes unwell or injured during their time together.

If you are worried about a child’s health or safety:

• Call 999 in an emergency
• Inform the parent/carer
• Contact your Home-Start co-ordinator as soon as possible

In an Emergency

Call 999 if a child:

• Is unconscious or unresponsive
• Is struggling to breathe
• Has a seizure
• Has a serious injury
• Is choking and cannot breathe
• Has severe bleeding
• Has a severe allergic reaction

Stay calm and remain with the child until help arrives.

Basic First Aid Principles

• Stay calm
• Keep the child safe
• Comfort and reassure them
• Never leave a young child unattended
• Ask for help if needed

Choking

Babies (under 1 year)

1. Support the baby face down along your arm.
2. Give up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades.
3. If needed, turn the baby over and give up to 5 chest thrusts.
4. Call 999 if the blockage does not clear.

Children (over 1 year)

1. Encourage coughing.
2. Give up to 5 back blows.
3. If needed, give up to 5 abdominal thrusts.
4. Call 999 if choking continues.

Burns and Scalds

1. Cool under cool running water for at least 20 minutes.
2. Remove clothing near the burn if safe to do so.
3. Cover loosely with a clean cloth or cling film.
4. Do not use creams, butter or ice.
5. Seek medical help.

Cuts and Bleeding

1. Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth or dressing.
2. Raise the injured area if possible.
3. Clean and cover once bleeding stops.
4. Seek help if bleeding is heavy or does not stop.

Bumps to the Head

Seek urgent medical advice if the child:

• Vomits
• Becomes sleepy or confused
• Loses consciousness
• Has a seizure

For minor bumps:

• Apply a cold compress wrapped in cloth
• Monitor the child closely

Fever and Illness

If a child becomes unwell:

• Keep them comfortable
• Offer fluids
• Contact the parent/carer

Seek urgent medical advice if:

• A baby under 3 months has a temperature over 38°C
• The child struggles to breathe
• The child becomes difficult to wake

Allergic Reactions

Signs may include:

• Rash or swelling
• Swollen lips or tongue
• Difficulty breathing - Call 999 immediately if breathing is affected.

Seizures

• Stay calm.
• Move objects away from the child.
• Do not hold them down.
• Do not put anything in their mouth.
• Time the seizure.

Call 999 if:

• The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
• It is their first seizure
• They have trouble breathing afterwards

Safer Sleep for Babies

If a baby falls asleep:

• Always place babies on their back
• Use a clear, flat sleep space
• Keep blankets and toys away from the face
• Never sleep on a sofa or chair with a baby

Hygiene

• Wash hands regularly
• Use gloves if dealing with blood or bodily fluids
• Clean spills safely
• Do not attend visits if you are unwell with something contagious

Accidents and Concerns

All accidents, injuries or concerns should be shared with:

• The parent/carer
• Your Home-Start co-ordinator

Complete any required incident records as soon as possible.

Important Reminder

Home-Start volunteers are not expected to provide medical care or make medical decisions.
If in doubt:

• Call NHS 111
• Call 999 in an emergency
• Contact your co-ordinator for support
• E-learning is available online ‘Family First Aid’ course at etraining.sja.org.uk