Dogs on Site Policy and Risk Assessment
Dogs on Site Policy and Risk Assessment
Policy owner: Head Teacher
Written: Autumn 2022
Review: Autumn 2025
Introduction
Children can benefit educationally and emotionally, increase their understanding of responsibility and develop empathy and nurturing skills through contact with a dog. In addition to these benefits, children take great enjoyment from interaction with a dog.
Is there a risk in bringing a dog into a school environment? Yes there is, although there are a variety of accidents, which can happen within the school environment which far exceed the number of injuries or incidents caused by a dog. Therefore, it is just another risk that needs to be managed.
A thorough risk assessment has been carried out and this is included in this document (see appendix).
Dogs are not allowed anywhere on the school site at any time unless specifically authorised by the Headteacher. This includes social events and parents evenings.
This policy outlines measures put in place to allow the school dog to be present.
This policy relates solely to the dog ‘Bella’ (the school dog), owned by the member of staff, Tabitha Smith (Head Teacher) and cared for on the days when she is in school by Claudia Mirazi (Forest School Teacher)
• The Governors and Head Teacher have the right to refuse entry to any dog.
• The school dog is a Cockerpoo chosen because it is an intelligent breed that will respond well to training and which is known to be good with children and is very sociable and friendly. • The Governing Body agree that a school dog may benefit the children and staff of Co-op Academy New Islington
• Staff, parents and children have been informed by letter that a dog will be in school. The Headteacher has produced a risk assessment and this will be reviewed annually.
• Staff, visitors and children known to have allergic reactions to dogs must not go near the dog.
• If the dog is ill she will not be allowed into school.
• The dog will be kept on a lead when moving between classrooms or on a walk and will be under the full control and supervision of a trained adult.
• Children must never be left alone with the dog and there must be appropriate adult supervision at all times.
• Children should be reminded of what is appropriate behaviour around the dog. Children should remain calm around the dog. They should not make sudden movements and must never stare into a dog’s eyes as this could be threatening for the dog. Children should not put their face near a dog and should always approach it standing up.
• Children should never go near or disturb the dog that is sleeping or eating.
• Children must not be allowed to play roughly with the dog.
• Everyone must wait until Bella is sitting or lying down before touching or stroking her.
• If the dog is surrounded by a large number of children, the dog could become nervous and agitated. Therefore, the adult in charge of the dog must ensure that s/he monitors the situation.
• Dogs express their feelings through their body language. Growling or bearing of teeth indicate that the dog is feeling angry or threatened. Flattened ears, tail lowered or between their legs, hiding behind their owner, whining or growling are signs that the dog is frightened or nervous. If the dog is displaying any of these warning signs he should be immediately removed from that particular situation or environment.
• Children should not eat close to the dog.
• Children should be careful to stroke Bella on her body, chest, back and not by her face or top of head.
• Children should always wash their hands after handling a dog.
• Any dog foul should be cleaned immediately and disposed of appropriately.
• Parents will be consulted on allowing their child access to the dog.
• Appropriately trained staff will maintain records and anecdotal evidence of the work and impact of the school dog.
• The office will know the whereabouts of the dog and which staff are supervising at all times. • The dog will be included in the fire evacuation procedure under the supervision of Claudia Mirazi
Actions
If someone reports having an issue with the dog, this information must be passed to the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher as soon as possible. All concerns will be responded to by the Headteacher.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Governing Body has a responsibility to ensure that the school has a written policy for dogs in School. The Headteacher is responsible for implementing this policy. Teachers, staff, pupils, parents and visitors are required to abide by this policy. The curriculum will support learning about dogs and how best to behave around our dog. This will include highlighting that not all dogs are well trained and that caution must be used around unknown dogs outside school.
Appendix 1: Reasons to have a dog in school
In summary, academic research has shown that dogs working and helping in the school environment can achieve the following:
1) Improve academic achievement
2)Increase literacy skills
3)Calming behaviours
4)Increase social skills and self-esteem
5)Increase confidence
6)Teach responsibility and respect to all life
7)Help prevent truancy
8)Motivate children who are often less attentive
The following information has been taken from a range of sources to provide further detail about the benefits of having a dog in school:
Behaviour: In some schools, dogs are making a difference in the behaviour of pupils. Researchers report that students can identify with animals, and with empathy for the dog, can better understand how classmates may feel. It was found that violent behaviour in participating students declined by 55%, and general aggression went down 62%. Behaviour problems occur in school and these can interfere with learning. Some schools are using dogs to improve behaviour problems by promoting positive behaviour in students. In a controlled study, students were found to have fewer disciplinary referrals in schools with a dog than schools without. Students’ behaviour improved toward teachers, and students also showed more confidence and responsibility. Additionally, parents reported that children seemed more interested in school as a result of having a dog at school.
Social Development: Dogs in school offer an opportunity for improving social development. They are especially useful for teaching students social skills and responsibility. Specifically, schools are using dogs to help older students build self-esteem; learn about positive and negative reinforcement, responsibility, and boundaries. Older students use dogs to help communicate, teach kindness, and empower students. With a dog in school, students have the opportunity to learn how to care for the animal. This includes walking and grooming. Researchers report that involving students in the daily care of classroom dogs is a positive experience, promoting their own daily care. The students also learn about responsibility, caring, and sharing when helping each other take care of a dog at school.
As a reward: Dogs will be gentle and loving, but at the same time full of fun and enjoyment for the students. Those students who have performed incredibly well during the week or those who have made progress in a certain subject, or those who have achieved tasks set for them, will be rewarded with spending time during lunch or break to interact with these dogs. Walking, grooming, playing and training are some of the responsibilities students will be allowed to undertake. It has been proved that working and playing with a dog improves children’s social skills and self-esteem. Support Dogs can work with students on a one-one basis and will especially help those students who have been bullied, abused, going through upsetting/difficult times or even scared/phobic of dogs. The dog will bring much joy and help to all the students they meet and are happy to provide plenty of hugs to the students they are spending time with. Students who struggle with social interaction can find a reassuring friend in a dog.
Dogs on Site Risk Assessment
Hazard | Risk | Risk 1 - 5 | Controls in place |
Dog getting over excited when interacting with children. | Child knocked to the ground. Child scratched by dog. Child bitten by dog. | 1 3 3 | The dog will always be in the care of a responsible adult and will never be allowed to roam freely around the school premises. Children will not be left unsupervised with the dog. The dog will always be on a lead or carried when she is not in the school office while the children are in school. Pupils have been and will continue to be taught about the consequences of their actions. Education of this nature is continually given to children, and often to the whole school through assemblies and PSHE sessions. Pupils will be taught what to do to prevent the dog from chasing them. The dog will undergo formal training from the age of 3 months with an experienced dog trainer. Selected children will be part of this process. Risk of scratching and biting will reduce, and the risk assessment will be reviewed as she progresses through her weekly training. All staff will have been introduced to the dog and expectations of having a school dog. The dog will attend the vets regularly to ensure she is in good health and that her claws are kept short. |
The dog causing allergies. | Children or staff have allergic reactions | 1 | Parents have been asked to inform the school of any known allergies before the introduction of the dog to the school. A list of any children/staff who should not interact with the dog will kept in school. The children will have the opportunity to interact with the dog as they wish and those with allergies will be able to opt out of interaction. Children will be taught to wash their hands after active participation with the dog |
Children getting germs from the dog. | Children or staff will contract diseases that can be carried by dogs. | 1 | Should the dog defecate on the school site a member of staff will clear this up immediately and dispose of it in a safe way. She will be trained to toilet in an area of the grounds that children have limited access to. The area will be disinfected as required. All immunisations are kept up to date in accordance with the European Pet Passport Scheme and a record will be kept of this. Flea treatment is carried out at monthly intervals. The dog will not be allowed in the school dining hall at mealtimes; and never in the food preparation area. |
Financial cost of the dog’s upkeep. | School unable to afford the ongoing cost of the Lola’s day to day upkeep or medical bills. | 1 | The dog is ultimately the responsibility of Tabitha Smith both in a well-being and financial aspect. Bella will be insured by the school, for Public Liability Insurance. All vets costs are covered by Tabitha Smith |
KEY: 1- Low risk
2
3 -Medium risk of injury
4
5-High risk of injury