Promote health, safety and well-being in care settings — Awarding Body for the Built Environment Occupational Qualification Health & Social Care Revision
This subtopic focuses on the essential health, safety, and well-being practices specific to maternity care settings. It covers legal responsibilities, risk
Topic Synopsis
This subtopic focuses on the essential health, safety, and well-being practices specific to maternity care settings. It covers legal responsibilities, risk management, infection control, safe handling of patients and substances, emergency response, security, and stress reduction. Learners develop competence to protect mothers, babies, and staff within a holistic care environment.
Key Concepts & Core Principles
- Antenatal care: routine checks, screening tests, and health promotion for pregnant women, including monitoring blood pressure, urine analysis, and fetal growth.
- Postnatal care: supporting mothers after birth, including perineal care, breastfeeding support, and recognising signs of postnatal depression.
- Neonatal care: immediate care of the newborn, including cord care, thermoregulation, and identifying jaundice or respiratory distress.
- Infant feeding: principles of breastfeeding, formula feeding, and safe preparation of feeds, as well as common challenges like latching difficulties.
- Legal and ethical frameworks: confidentiality, consent, safeguarding, and the role of the Maternity Support Worker within the multidisciplinary team.
Exam Tips & Revision Strategies
- In your portfolio, use a reflective journal to document how you have applied health and safety learning in real situations, linking to national standards.
- When discussing moving and handling, include an assessment of the environment, the individual’s needs, and your own capabilities.
- For infection control, provide evidence of hand hygiene compliance, use of PPE, and understanding of infection outbreaks in maternity (e.g., MRSA, COVID-19 protocols).
- For fire safety, include a practical demonstration or a mock drill report signed by a supervisor.
- Stress management evidence could include records of participation in supervision, peer support, or stress risk assessments.
Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to recognize that pregnant women have specific vulnerabilities that require adapted health and safety measures (e.g., increased risk from certain chemicals, ergonomic considerations).
- Overlooking the importance of clear communication and teamwork with other professionals (midwives, doctors, cleaners) when implementing safety measures.
- Confusing the responsibilities of a healthcare support worker with those of a registered practitioner, leading to either overstepping or under-reporting.
- Not keeping up to date with changing policies and procedures, relying on outdated practices.
- Underestimating the psychological aspects of safety, such as stress management for self and colleagues.
Examiner Marking Points
- Award credit for demonstrating a clear understanding of own role boundaries and when to escalate to a supervisor or specialist midwife/safety officer.
- Award credit for providing evidence of correctly following COSHH procedures in a maternity setting, such as handling cleaning chemicals or clinical waste.
- Award credit for showing effective manual handling techniques adapted to the needs of pregnant women, postnatal mothers, and neonates, using appropriate equipment.
- Award credit for evidencing correct response to an accident or sudden illness scenario, including initial assessment, calling for help, and accurate documentation.
- Award credit for demonstrating knowledge and application of fire safety protocols, including evacuation procedures specific to a maternity unit (e.g., horizontal evacuation for non-ambulant patients).