Just say no I am not insured to give advice.

Although it should be noted that poster says it's the governors that want the advice, and actually all the governors are doing it for free - governors are not paid. The argument 'you wouldn't do anything for free' fails to stand up in this case.

I also observe that many teachers of my acquaintance do run assorted extra-curricular activities for free (they are not paid for out-of-hours clubs) and I am very grateful for the many things my daughters teachers do do for free - teh older one does school band, rockclimbing club and an astronomy club, and teh younger one does a choir, a drama club, and a craft club (knitting, sewing, etc). All these thinsg are outside school hours and for free.

When I was a governor (doing it for free), we had a standing resolution re-stated each year that governors would not be held individually liable for their work as governors, and while I can't remember the exact wording it did make mention about including where the individual offered advice which was within their professional expertise. So if you are willing to help the school and the governors, but are concerned about liability, I would ask them what arrangement are in place. The concern about liability shoudl not come as a surprise to them.

I must admit that I was never 100% confident that the resolution would actually provide a great deal of protection if anything go to court - it might deflect a civil liability, but I was dubious that it would withstand HSE if they wanted to pursue a case of individual negligence, say.

Unlike some of my colleagues I do not have any issues with providing general h&s advice free of charge for a worthy cause. I have done so with my golf club, snooker club and a few other bits and pieces. If I have written anything then I have not put my name to it - simples.

Let's not be too mean spirited chaps.

Thats fair enough. My experiences with my childrens former school have been less positive than your own which naturally influences my own position on the matter.

You can be appointed as an advisory governor using the schools insurance much the same as the rest of the governing body. For example the "real" governors make a decision that goes pear shaped then an individual governor cannot be held responsible. You need to be careful as most schools are still linked to LA`s in regard to safety even schools that have academy status get a LA inspection/audit

Your quite right but some schools/academies buy into a safety provision others do not. This does not detract from the fact that the individual (OP) could still be an appointed governor it was merely a caveat to advising the governors

No, it's better that they get advice from people who are experienced in the safe running of extra-curricular activities, school trips etc etc etc

Committees and suchlike can get protection by becoming 'federated' pay a membership fee - 1 pound per year was ours - and that would be the limit of your liability, unless 'on a frolic'.

The governors should be aware of the process - we used it in Rugby refereeing societies and clubs. A solicitor is needed to do the set up but it doesn't cost a fortune.

PL Insurance isn't that dear as an alternative - benefits of IOSH membership through Hiscox.

Or as mentioned above get appointed as a specialist governor adviser and use the school cover - but check ...

Positive and helpful, thats what we are :)

I'm with Ray on this.
Where did all this PI stuff come from I wonder - oh yes, insurers.

The governors can browse the HSE website (without insurance!), perhaps together, looking over your shoulder, to get the gist and how to navigate the Education sector pages.
I have just read one of their Research Reports from last year on how few schools use the HSE information (although they say they get info from the LA SAs). RR1062 "Health and safety in schools - exploring the perceptions of HSE’s communications to promote and support sensible risk management".

There is loads of stuff to get them going and give a degree of direction.

However, fire safety is not included on HSE of course, although there is the Home Office guidance for that.

I would take the stance of 'critical friend' rather than direct 'teller'. The governors take the strategic overview, and if they show interest and curiosity on H&S, this will motivate the Head and Burser / Office Manager to get it together.

If it turns into more, then it's time to suggest a consultancy arrangement.

School governors are not usually involved in the nitty gritty of school activities.
Their question should be "are trips and visits managed?". Then review the response.

The poster was being asked to advise a governor not the school.

I don't think it is Churlish not to offer advice, some people don't want to be involved, they don't want to offer advice and that is up to them. Why just because our profession, if they wanted a awall building they wouldn't expect to get it for nothing even if one of the parents was a bricklayer.
So why should they expect our expertise for nothing, we all have the right to do what we want some will give advise others won't, I won't say were I stand, no doupt some on here will make thier own minds up.

I'm also very suprised about some of the responses posted to the original request.

To the posters who are saying they wouldn't give their expertise for no return, why do they post on this board? I'd personally offer advice to anyone who thought I could help, but given the choice between helping a voluntary board of governors, or helping other paid professionals on here (if I had to choose), I'd sooner help the governors.

Also this talk of going up in front of a judge, is that really going to happen? I'm sure the Daily Mail had an article about people not wanting to clear snow in case they became liable, surely this is no different and just reinforces the stereotype of the pedantic clip board safety 'officer'.

30-15

Sanctimonious waffle.

Steve

Off the top of my head:

Contractor Management/Procurement
Incident reporting and investigation (RIDDOR)
Asbestos Management
COSHH

Yes Steve. In fact it adds nearly as much to the "debate" as someone repeating how surprised they are by some of the responses and how churlish they find them and how much it depresses them that some people wont do some things for free.

Thanks
Paul

HSE Steve

In the main, schools are low risk. But they do have pretty much all life's hazards, from minibuses to radiation, which together with their precious cargo, make H&S quite a mixture.

Ask first where/how they get their H&S assistance? You are right - Head's responsibility.
Then ask how each component of their safety policy (may be an LA one?) is allocated, implemented and monitored. That might just be enough.

Be strategic - by all means formulate a master 'problem' checklist (don't forget fire etc), but keep it in your back pocket and let the school paid staff tell / explain the system to you. If they can't . . .

My risk priorities:
Asbestos management which goes hand in hand with contractors . . .;
Visits & trips but there may be an EVA or they use an online record system eg. Evolve.
Fire
Vehicle movements & control. But what do they see as priorities?

There could be a tendency, if you tackle by topic / hazard as these lists are, that you will find everything directed to the site manager (or caretaker). Even contractor selection.

I suggest looking at risk from an occupational and then location perspective, as most of the ladder, chemical, building maintenance, security and equipment checks are carried out or overseen by the site manager / caretaker.

Don't forget the cooks / cleaners, these may be outsourced.

There is a rake of guidance on the HSE educational site, including a newish classroom checklist.

Note that safeguarding, special needs, medicinal and other support is not HSW. The guidance for these is elsewhere. However, be curious as to whether these bring in additional risk such as lifts, hoists & slings (LOLER) etc.

RIDDOR - read the HSE EDIS1 note.
Schools over-report. They are also over-panicked by civil claims or the fear of them.

Relax, enjoy the experience, you are 'giving something back'.

Thanks Aud,

appreciate the comments regarding letting them tell me what they do, I have to keep reminding myself that a Governors role is to challenge, not to manage it themselves.

My gut feeling is that their biggest risk is vehicle movements, there is a lot of congestion around the area and one small driveway to get onto the premises, very little in the way of real segregation other than a painted pedestrian way which is largely ignored.

I'll have a good look at the HSE site.

Thanks
Steve

Lots already said, and I've got nothing much to add, except on this topic - the school where I was a governor (LA primary school) did indeed over-report and generate paperwork for every minor injury to any child, but when there was an injury to a member of staff (a slip and fall by one of the cooks) it was initially not considered as thoroughly as it should have been (in my opinion)

So remember it's not just about the kids, it's also a workplace for the staff, and I think the governor challenge role covers that too.

Wow! This has been a rather heated thread for rather a simple question!!

I have carried out fire risk assessments for free to charities that I support - some reasonably high risk in terms of fire and do so now even though I am no longer self employed with PI insurance. But Schools are a very special case;

Education carries a higher risk of litigation that almost anywhere else, including healthcare. We trust Schools with out most valuable possessions and expect them to take 100% care of the 100% of the time. As a result, my view is that the average person in the street would be far more likely to rush to litigation if an event occurred that threatened the safety of little Jonny or Josephine.

I have carried out significant professional work on educational premises and was given piece of mind that my expensive PI insurance is there to look after me if something went wrong. As I say, I do the odd freebee now, but I wouldn't do so for a School without the appropriate cover