Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology (Stage 2)
Risk Assessment
Introduction
The Sport and Exercise Psychology Qualifications Board recognises the importance of assuring
that its candidates are undertaking training in a safe environment. Whilst the responsibility for
health and safety in the workplace rests with the employer providing the placement, the
Qualifications Board needs some information to be assured that the employer has appropriate
systems and policies in place. For this reason the Board has introduced a risk assessment
process to be conducted prior to the commencement of the placement. The risk assessment
should be conducted by the candidate and then reviewed with the Coordinating Supervisor. We
hope this will give candidates experience of conducting risk assessments which will help them to
take responsibility for their safety in work settings on an ongoing basis.
It is important not to confuse “risk” with “hazard.” Hazard is the potential to cause harm whilst risk
is the likelihood or uncertainty of harm occurring. In many of the settings in which Sport and
Exercise psychology placements may take place the incidence of hazards is likely to be quite low
(for example, the trainee Sport and Exercise psychologist is unlikely to be working on a chemical
plant or with toxic materials) but there are likely to be a factors which could carry a risk of harm
(such as lone working or community work with known high risk groups such as drug abuse or
violent clients) which do occur. The important thing is that risks can be identified and appropriate
policies are in place to minimise the likelihood of harm occurring as a consequence of the risk.
Responsibilities of each party
Primary responsibility for the management of the health and safety of a candidate whilst on
placement rests with the placement provider. The candidate will normally be one of the placement
provider’s employees during their placement. Even where the candidate is undertaking the
placement on a voluntary, rather than a paid, basis they are treated as if they are an employee for
health and safety purposes.
The candidate has a responsibility to follow instructions and act sensibly to protect their own health
and safety and that of others.
The Society is not responsible for health and safety issues in the placement provider’s
organisation, but does have a duty to only approve placements where it has been provided with
evidence that the placement provider has implemented a health and safety policy which identifies,
minimises and, as far as possible, controls the risks which may be present in the workplace. We
exercise this responsibility by requiring evidence of a risk assessment before approving the
placement and seeing certain documentary evidence. The placement audit conducted by
Coordinating Supervisors will check that the risk assessment has been conducted and that the
appropriate documentary evidence has been collected.
Risk Factors
Risk factors can be grouped into six main areas:

Work factors – pertain to the role within the organisation and include
o
any specific hazards which may be present on the work site (personal protective
equipment should be provided where appropriate, along with training in its use)
o
risks associated with particular aspects of the job. The placement provider should
have policies for minimising and controlling risks

Travel and Transportation – risks associated with travelling for work purposes
o
particularly where the placement involves travel between different work sites.
o
where the candidate is using their own car they must ensure that their insurance policy
includes business use.

Location and/or region factors – particularly when the candidate undertakes a placement in
an unfamiliar location, or where the placement is located in an area with a significant risk of
civil disorder, crime or similar danger (for example, a placement located in a country where
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel).

General/ environmental health factors – environmental or health issues associated with the
specific workplace. This might include infection control procedures, for example, or
inoculation requirements for working in some countries.

Individual factors - personal factors, such as health, disability, linguistic or cultural factors
which may increase the risk of illness or accident and which may require specific
adjustments or support.

Insurance limitations – placement providers should ensure that they have public liability
insurance, employers insurance and professional indemnity insurance which extend to cover
the actions of the trainee on placement with them. In some cases the candidate may be
required to take out their own professional indemnity insurance where the cover of the
placement provider does not cover the liability of the candidate for injuries to third parties,
including clinical errors, or property damage arising from their duties within the organisation.
(We recommend that all candidates consider taking out their own professional indemnity
insurance policy.)
Placements outside the UK
Very occasionally candidates will undertake a placement outside the UK. In such circumstances
the local requirements for placement agreements and insurance must also be observed. It is the
responsibility of the candidate to ensure that local requirements have been met and to advise the
Registrar about the steps they have taken.
Process
Before the placement a risk assessment must be conducted (see attached form). This should be
completed by the candidate and we recommend asking for an appointment with the organisations
health and safety contact for this purpose. It might be helpful to provide a copy of this form in
advance so that the health and safety contact knows what information you will be asking for.
The candidate and CoS should discuss the risk assessment, particularly noting any hazards or
risks which have been identified and the policies and measures which the placement provider has
in place to minimise or control the risk.
The risk assessment form should be added to the enrolment form and submitted to the Registrar
with the other enrolment material. If a candidate changes employment/ supervised practice setting
then the risk assessment forms part of the Change of Setting documentation. If a candidate is
splitting their supervised practice across two posts then a risk assessment needs to be completed
for each setting..
During the placement any health and safety issues which arise should be reported to the
placement provider. The way in which these were resolved or controlled should be discussed with
the CoS at the next meeting.
At the annual review the CoS should specifically check that the responses given on the initial risk
assessment form are still accurate.
Any serious health and safety concerns which are not resolved should be reported to the Registrar,
who will consider whether or not the placement provider remains suitable.
Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology (Stage 2)
Risk Assessment Form – Section C
TO BE COMPLETED FOR EACH PLACEMENT
Name of Placement Provider (Employer)
Address
Health & safety contact
Telephone
Email
Yes/No
Has a copy of the following policies been provided:

Written health and safety policy

Health and safety training for employees

Registration with the Health and Safety Executive (or
equivalent)

Violence and Aggression

Lone working policy

Infection control (where applicable)

Procedure for reporting and recording accidents and
incidents in accordance with the Reporting of Injuries,
Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
(RIDDOR)

Procedure to be followed in the event of serious and
imminent danger

Process for reporting health and safety concerns
Have you carried out a risk assessment of your work practices
to identify possible risks to your employees and others within
your organisation?
Are risk assessments kept under regular review?
Are the results of risk assessment implemented?
Any action required?
Who by and when?
Work factors
Yes/ No
(If yes
specify)
Risk
assessment:
High/ Medium/
Low *
Is there a policy, practice
or procedure to control or
minimise risk?
(attach policy where
appropriate)
Are there any work hazards which
have the potential to cause serious
injury, ill health or fatalities?
Will the candidate be working with
known high risk groups (for example,
people with drug abuse problems or
violent offenders)?
Will the candidate be working alone?
Are there any other risks specific to
your organisation?
*Where a hazard exists, the risk may be high, medium or low depending on the likelihood of harm occurring.
For example, there may be hazardous materials on a site but if the candidate’s role within the organisation
does not require them to come into contact with these materials the risk would be low. The practice for
minimising the risk might be warning signs on the doors of rooms where the hazardous materials are kept
and used and an induction which explains the importance of keeping out of these areas.
Travel and transportation factors
Yes/ No
Risk
assessment:
High/ Medium/
Low*
Is there a policy, practice
or procedure to control or
minimise risk?
(attach policy where
appropriate)
Is there any travel associated with the
role (for example, driving between
sites)
If the candidate is using a company/
pool car is appropriate insurance in
place?
If the candidate is required to use
their own car do they have
appropriate insurance in place?
*The assessment of risk as high, medium or low in this instance may depend on factors such as the nature
of the roads, the remoteness of the area or the mode of transport. It may be helpful to specify the nature of
the risk as well as the procedure/ practice to minimise its effect.
Location and/ or regional factors
Yes/ No
(If yes
specify)
Risk
assessment:
High/ Medium/
Low*
Is there a policy, practice
or procedure to control or
minimise risk?
Risk
assessment:
High/ Medium/
Low*
Is there a policy, practice
or procedure to control or
minimise risk?
Risk
assessment:
High/ Medium/
Low*
Are you able to make
appropriate adjustments
to control or minimise the
risk?
(attach policy where
appropriate)
Are there any risks associated with
the location of the placement?
(Examples might include a high crime
area)
Are there any communication
difficulties which might affect the
operation of other policies (for
example, lack of mobile phone
coverage might make it difficult for a
candidate to phone for help from a
remote area).
General/ environmental health factors
Yes/ No
(If yes
specify)
(attach policy where
appropriate)
Are there any particular health
precautions required to work on the
site/ in the area?
Has the candidate been given
information about these precautions?
Will you check precautions have been
taken before allowing the placement
to commence?
Individual student factors
Yes/ No
(If yes
specify)
Does the candidate have personal
factors (for example health, disability,
linguistic or cultural) which may
increase the risk of illness or accident
during work related activity?
Does the candidate have the relevant
knowledge, understanding and skills
for the type of work to be undertaken?
Insurance Factors
Yes/No
Any action required?
Who by and when?
Does the employer or candidate hold the following insurance
cover and will the candidate be covered by these policies:
 Public Liability Insurance
 Employers Liability Insurance
 Professional Indemnity Insurance
References
UCEA Health and Safety Guidance for the placement of Higher Education students, UCEA, 2009