Policy Date: 1 July 2026
Review Date: 1 July 2027
1. Purpose
This policy explains how Inspired Ed works to ensure that all materials, activities and resources provided through its AQA distance-learning programmes are safe, appropriate and suitable for use in the home.
It applies to:
- AQA Registration and Assessment
- The Personalised Distance Learning Programme
- The Activity Box Programme
The policy supports parents and carers in supervising activities safely and sets out Inspired Ed’s approach to risk assessment, safe resource selection and incident reporting.
2. Nature of the Provision
Inspired Ed provides learning remotely through three programme options.
Option 1: AQA Registration and Assessment
Parents, carers or education providers deliver learning independently. Inspired Ed assesses submitted evidence and supports the AQA certification process.
Option 2: Personalised Distance Learning Programme
Learners receive personalised digital learning materials tailored to their needs, interests, abilities and educational goals.
Option 3: Activity Box Programme
Learners receive physical activity boxes containing practical, creative, hands-on and sensory-friendly learning materials.
Across all three programme options:
- No in-person teaching is provided by Inspired Ed
- Parents, carers or responsible adults are expected to supervise activities
- Activities are designed to be flexible, low-pressure and suitable for home environments
- Parents and carers remain responsible for deciding whether an activity is suitable for their child
3. Inspired Ed’s Responsibilities
Inspired Ed will take reasonable steps to ensure that all materials and activities provided are suitable and safe when used as instructed.
3.1 Safe Materials and Resources
Inspired Ed will:
- Select materials and resources that are appropriate for the intended age and ability of the learner
- Avoid including items that create unnecessary or foreseeable risks
- Consider the risk of choking hazards, sharp edges, breakable items and unsafe substances
- Provide alternative materials or activities where sensory sensitivities or safety concerns may arise
- Check activity box items before they are sent
3.2 Clear Instructions
Inspired Ed will:
- Provide clear and accessible instructions for parents and carers
- Explain how materials and activities should be used
- Highlight any known or reasonably foreseeable risks
- Provide guidance for the safe use of art materials, adhesives, scissors, tools and sensory resources
- State where adult supervision is particularly important
3.3 Hazard Identification
Inspired Ed will:
- Identify and clearly describe potentially hazardous materials or activities
- Avoid toxic, highly flammable or otherwise unsuitable substances
- Provide safety notes for activities involving cutting, gluing, painting, tools, liquids or small parts
- Remove or replace any item considered unsafe or inappropriate
- Review reported concerns and adjust future resources where necessary
3.4 Sensory Considerations
Inspired Ed recognises that some materials may create discomfort or distress for learners with sensory sensitivities.
Where relevant, Inspired Ed will:
- Highlight possible sensory triggers, including strong smells, sticky textures, loud noises or unusual tactile materials
- Suggest alternative materials or approaches
- Avoid requiring a learner to engage with a sensory activity that is unsuitable for them
- Take account of information provided by parents or carers
4. Parent and Carer Responsibilities
As learning takes place remotely, parents, carers or other responsible adults have an important role in maintaining safety.
4.1 Supervision
Parents and carers are responsible for:
- Supervising all activities provided through the programme or activity box
- Ensuring that materials are used safely and for their intended purpose
- Providing closer supervision where sharp tools, small parts, liquids, adhesives or other higher-risk materials are involved
- Preventing younger children or pets from accessing unsuitable materials
4.2 Suitability
Parents and carers should:
- Decide whether an activity is suitable for the learner before it begins
- Adapt or discontinue an activity where necessary
- Inform Inspired Ed of relevant allergies, medical needs, sensory sensitivities or safety concerns
- Check the ingredients and labelling of materials where an allergy or sensitivity may be relevant
- Seek appropriate medical advice where they are unsure whether an activity is safe for the learner
4.3 Safe Environment
Parents and carers should:
- Provide a clean, stable and appropriate space for completing activities
- Keep food, drink and unrelated household substances away from activity materials where appropriate
- Store materials safely when they are not in use
- Keep sharp tools, small parts and potentially hazardous items out of reach
- Dispose of broken, damaged, expired or unsafe items immediately
- Ensure that any household items used for an activity are safe and suitable
5. Risk Assessment
Inspired Ed carries out proportionate risk assessments for materials and activities provided through its programmes.
Risk assessments may cover:
- Materials included in activity boxes
- Digital activities requiring household items
- Activities involving cutting, gluing, painting or small parts
- Sensory-based activities, including slime, sand, water play and textured materials
- Optional activities requiring tools or additional household resources
- Activities that may present allergy, choking, irritation or sensory risks
Risk assessments consider the likelihood and possible severity of harm, the intended age group, the need for adult supervision and the availability of safer alternatives.
6. Risk Minimisation
Inspired Ed may reduce risks through:
- Clear instructions and safety warnings
- Age-appropriate material selection
- Avoidance of unnecessary choking hazards
- Use of non-toxic and child-appropriate materials where possible
- Alternative suggestions for sensory-sensitive learners
- Appropriate packaging and labelling
- Removal or replacement of unsuitable items
- Review of incidents, concerns and feedback
No home-learning activity can be made entirely risk-free. Parents and carers should use their judgement and stop an activity where it appears unsafe or unsuitable.
7. Allergies and Medical Needs
Parents and carers must inform Inspired Ed of any known allergy, medical condition or other health need that may affect participation.
Inspired Ed will take reasonable steps to avoid known allergens or provide alternatives where it has been informed of a relevant risk. However, parents and carers remain responsible for checking labels, ingredients and materials before use.
Inspired Ed does not provide medical advice. Where there is any uncertainty about whether an activity is safe, advice should be sought from an appropriate healthcare professional.
8. Incident Reporting
Parents and carers should report any health or safety incident involving Inspired Ed materials or activities as soon as possible.
This includes:
- Injuries
- Allergic reactions
- Near misses
- Damaged or faulty materials
- Unsafe packaging
- Unexpected hazards
- Sensory reactions or distress
- Any other safety concern
Reports should include relevant details about what happened, the material or activity involved and any action taken.
Inspired Ed will review the report and may:
- Amend or remove an activity
- Replace a material
- Update instructions or warnings
- Change future activity boxes
- Review the relevant risk assessment
- Contact other affected families where appropriate
Serious incidents may be reported to an appropriate authority where required by law.
9. Emergencies
In an emergency, parents and carers should contact the emergency services or seek urgent medical assistance before contacting Inspired Ed.
Inspired Ed should then be informed as soon as reasonably possible so that the incident can be recorded and future risks can be reviewed.
10. Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner where:
- A significant health and safety concern is identified
- An incident indicates that existing controls are insufficient
- The nature of the programme changes
- New materials or activities are introduced
- Relevant legislation or guidance changes
The next scheduled review date is 1 July 2027.