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Soft Play Risk Assessment — Done in 2 Minutes
Describe your soft play facility or play area. We generate a UK-compliant risk assessment instantly.
👦 Soft play venues involve children at height and in enclosed spaces. Anyrisks specifically asks about your equipment layout, supervision arrangements, and emergency procedures — including lost child protocols.
How It Works
1. Describe Your Facility
Tell us your equipment, age zones, visitor capacity, supervision arrangements, and any specific features.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant soft play risk assessment tailored to your venue.
3. Instant Download and Use
Download immediately. Keep on file for inspections, insurer requests, or local authority reviews.
What It Covers
Every soft play risk assessment is written in full — covering equipment, supervision, safety, and emergencies.
Age and size segregation of play areas
Equipment inspection — frames, slides, ball pools, inflatables
Fall heights and impact surfaces
Children at height — mezzanines, climbing frames, slides
Supervision ratios and visitor capacity
Allergies (food served on-site)
Café and food preparation areas
Cleaning and hygiene of play equipment
Emergency evacuation with children
Entry and exit — lost child procedures
Fire safety in a venue with children
Works For
Any soft play or children’s play environment — Anyrisks covers it.
What Customers Say
“Our insurer asked for an updated risk assessment for the soft play centre. Anyrisks covered everything — fall heights, ball pool hygiene, lost child procedures, the lot.”
Rachel B.
Soft play centre owner, Cheshire
“We run pop-up soft play parties. Anyrisks helps us generate a fresh assessment for each venue — quick, thorough, and professional.”
Jade T.
Soft play party hire, Essex
“Our council asked for a risk assessment before approving our community hall play sessions. Anyrisks had it done in minutes — approved first time.”
Donna K.
Community play organiser, Yorkshire
Join thousands of UK businesses getting risk assessments done in minutes.
You’ll be delighted with your Risk Assessment, or your money back.
Anyrisks vs DIY Templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| RoSPA and BALPPA guidance referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers lost child, mezzanines, and allergies | ✓ | ✗ |
| Specific to your facility and equipment | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a risk assessment a legal requirement for a soft play centre?
Yes. Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires all employers to carry out a suitable and sufficient written risk assessment. Section 3 of the HSWA 1974 extends the duty of care to members of the public — including children and their carers. BS EN 1176 and BISP (British Inflatable & Soft Play Industry) guidelines are the recognised standards against which assessments are evaluated.
What does BS EN 1176 require for soft play equipment?
BS EN 1176 is the European standard for playground equipment safety. Part 1 covers general safety requirements including fall heights, entrapment hazards, and structural integrity. Part 7 addresses guidance on installation, inspection, maintenance, and operation. Soft play equipment should be inspected daily by a responsible person, with quarterly and annual inspections by a competent engineer. Non-conformances should be recorded and acted on immediately.
Does my soft play centre need a specific risk assessment for each activity zone?
Best practice (and BISP guidance) recommends a zone-by-zone risk assessment covering each distinct play area — toddler zone, main frame, ball pool, climbing structures, and party rooms. Anyrisks generates a comprehensive assessment covering your entire facility when you describe each zone. Separate assessments may be required for cafe, car park, and emergency evacuation procedures.
How do I manage supervision ratios in a soft play centre?
BISP guidelines recommend a minimum of 1 member of staff per 30 children in the play area, with at least 1 first-aider on duty at all times. Toddler zones should have stricter ratios. The risk assessment should set out supervision levels, staff positions, and procedures for managing overcrowding. Parents retain responsibility for their own children unless you operate a supervised session.
What fire safety requirements apply to my soft play centre?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Article 9 requires a fire risk assessment for all commercial premises. Soft play centres using foam and synthetic fabrics have elevated fire risk. Fire exits must be clearly marked, unobstructed, and tested regularly. A fire evacuation procedure specific to evacuating children must be included in the assessment and practised regularly.
How long does it take?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your soft play centre, activity zones, and team and Anyrisks produces a fully written risk assessment instantly, including PDF and Word download.
Soft Play Risk Assessments and UK Law
Your legal duties as a soft play operator in the UK.
MHSWR 1999 and HSWA 1974
Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires all employers to carry out a suitable and sufficient written risk assessment. Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 extends the duty of care to members of the public, including children and their accompanying adults. If you employ 5 or more staff, Regulation 3(2) requires the assessment to be recorded in writing.
BS EN 1176 and BISP Guidelines
BS EN 1176 is the European standard for playground and play equipment safety. Parts 1 and 7 set requirements for installation, inspection, and maintenance of soft play structures. The British Inflatable & Soft Play Industry (BISP) publishes industry-specific guidance on supervision ratios, maximum occupancy, age separation, and equipment maintenance. Both are referenced by insurers and local authority inspectors when evaluating soft play safety.
RRO 2005 and Fire Safety
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO 2005) Article 9 requires the responsible person to carry out a fire risk assessment for all commercial soft play premises. Soft play centres use foam, synthetic fabrics, and ball pit plastics which present elevated fire loading. Fire exits must be clearly marked, unobstructed, and regularly tested. An evacuation procedure specific to moving children quickly and safely must be documented and practised.
PUWER 1998 and Equipment Inspection
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) apply to all mechanical soft play equipment including electronic entry gates, ball cannons, and ride-on equipment. Regulation 5 requires equipment to be maintained in a safe condition with inspection records. BS EN 1176 Part 7 additionally requires pre-opening daily checks, quarterly inspections, and annual inspections by a competent inspector. Non-conformances must be acted on before the equipment is returned to use.
Related Risk Assessments
Bouncy Castle Risk Assessment
For inflatable equipment — covers PIPA, ADIPS, wind speed limits, and PUWER 1998 inspection requirements.
Event Risk Assessment
For soft play at events — covers crowd management, SAG process, and RRO 2005 fire safety.
Small Business Risk Assessment
For soft play operators with under 5 staff — covers MHSWR Reg 3(2) and sole trader H&S duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover RoSPA guidance for play equipment?
Yes — assessments reference relevant RoSPA and BALPPA guidance for indoor play environments.
We have a mezzanine level — is fall from height covered?
Yes — describe your mezzanine, guard rail, and supervision arrangements and we’ll include fall-from-height controls.
Do we need a separate assessment for the café area?
You can cover it in the same assessment — describe your food preparation area and we’ll include kitchen hygiene, allergen, and burn risks.
How long does it take?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your facility and Anyrisks produces a fully written risk assessment instantly.