Creating Safety Culture

Overview

This 60-minute session (Lesson 27 of 30) is designed for Year 12 students studying health, social care, or early years education within the Safe Learning Environments unit. It focuses on building a deep understanding of what a safety culture is in early years settings, why it matters, and practical approaches to fostering it. The lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for England for Health and Social Care, ensuring students develop the knowledge and skills required for professional practice and safeguarding.

---

Curriculum Links

• Health and Social Care Programmes (Level 3, KS5 equivalents)
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) (statutory guidance informing curriculum content)
• National Curriculum Aim: Develop understanding of safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare (DfE 2013 framework for PSHE and Health Education).
• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework principles relevant to safeguarding and health and safety.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Define ‘safety culture’ in the context of early years settings.
2. Explain the importance of a positive safety culture for children and staff wellbeing.
3. Analyse key components that contribute to fostering a safety culture (leadership, communication, training, and policy).
4. Apply strategies to promote and sustain a safety culture within an early years environment.

---

Resources Needed

• Flipchart or whiteboard and markers
• Safety culture case study handouts (brief scenario-based examples)
• Workplace safety culture checklist template (printed)
• Pens and notebooks
• Projector or smartboard for visual presentation
• Role-play prompt cards

---

Timing & Activities

Time	Activity	Details	National Curriculum Alignment
0-5 mins	Introduction & Starter	Brief recap of previous safety lessons. Present a striking question: “What would a perfect safety culture look like in your setting?” Capture initial thoughts via brainstorming.	Develop communication skills and critical thinking reflecting KS5 PSHE aims.
5-15 mins	Concept Exploration	Mini presentation defining ‘Safety Culture’: beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviours shared by a group to prioritise safety. Links to safeguarding standards and EYFS Welfare Requirements (e.g. EYFS 3.4 - Health & Safety).	Pupils gain knowledge and understanding from national safeguarding and health & safety frameworks.
15-30 mins	Group Analysis: Case Studies	Divide into pairs; each pair receives a real-life inspired case study illustrating good or poor safety culture. Identify strengths, weaknesses, and impact on children and staff. Use workplace checklist to critique.	Encourage application of knowledge to real-world contexts; assess awareness of safeguarding practice standards.
30-45 mins	Role-play & Discussion	Pairs role-play leaders or practitioners addressing safety culture issues revealed in case studies (e.g. staff attitude, communication breakdown). Follow with whole class discussion reflecting on strategies to improve culture.	Develop interpersonal skills, empathy, and leadership insights per PSHE and health and safety education aims.
45-55 mins	Strategy Development Workshop	Individually or in pairs, students draft a short action plan: How they would foster and maintain a positive safety culture in an early years setting. Consider training needs, policies, communication tools.	Promote independent learning and application of safeguarding requirements; supports development of leadership and management competencies.
55-60 mins	Summary and Plenary	Students share one key takeaway. Teacher summarises the importance of safety culture for wellbeing, legal compliance (Health & Safety at Work Act 1974), and safeguarding outcomes. Assign reflective journal for homework.	Reinforce and consolidate understanding aligned with statutory safeguarding requirements.

---

Assessment

• Formative:
  • Observation during pair work and role-play (engagement and understanding).
  • Group feedback during discussions to gauge conceptual clarity.
• Summative:
  • Evaluation of action plans for appropriateness and practicality.
  • Reflective journal entry due next lesson: Describe how you would foster a safety culture, referencing lesson learning and statutory frameworks.

---

Differentiation & Inclusion

• Scaffold handout materials for learners needing support (key terms glossary).
• Offer challenge prompts for advanced learners (e.g., legal implications, cross-sector comparisons).
• Include opportunities for all voices in discussions, ensuring quieter students can contribute via written ideas.
• Accessibility: consider seating arrangement, printed materials in large font if needed.

---

Cross-Curricular Links

• PSHE: Wellbeing, personal responsibility, community role.
• English: Communication skills through discussions and reflective writing.
• Citizenship: Understanding rights, responsibilities, and law.

---

Teacher Notes – ‘Wow’ Factor Suggestions

• Use anonymised real footage or interviews with early years practitioners on safety culture challenges and successes (pre-recorded clips).
• Introduce a short interactive safety culture quiz with instant feedback via polling app to increase engagement.
• Encourage students to co-create a ‘Safety Culture Pledge’ poster that can be displayed in class or their placement settings.
• Provide branded safety culture badges/stickers as positive reinforcement for participation.

---

By exploring the lived experience of safety culture alongside statutory frameworks, this lesson empowers Year 12 learners to critically engage with, and confidently contribute to, safe environments that protect vulnerable children and support professional teams.