Dogs on Site Policy
Dogs on Site
Policy details
- Date created - 15/03/2024
- Date approved - 02 May 2024
- Next review date - 15/03/2025
- Policy owner - Charlotte Millea
- Rationale
Dogs visiting to support the curriculum
- Stray Dogs
Family Members bringing dogs to school
Dogs in School
Rationale
This policy has been developed to consider the reasons why staff and pupils may come into contact with a dog whilst on the school premises and to reduce any subsequent risks.
The following are amongst the reasons why a dog may be on the school site:
- Dogs may visit school to support the curriculum
- A stray dog may enter the site (for example the MUPA)
- Family members may bring the dog to school to pick up their child
Dogs visiting to support the curriculum
The team at Co-op Academy Delius have experienced the positive impact that therapy dogs can have upon children. The benefits of interacting with animals first hand, is something that some of our pupils do not always get the opportunity to do. Further to this, it is also recognised that therapy dogs can support children who are suffering with anxiety. For these reasons, the academy welcomes well-planned visits from therapy dogs.
In the event of a therapy dog visiting the academy the following must be considered:
The suitability of the dog
For a dog to visit a special school, their temperament must be deemed to be able to cope with the busy and loud classroom environment. With this in mind, the academy would need to carefully consider any dog visits on a case by case basis.
Allergies
Any pupils with allergies will be identified and will not be in contact with either the dog, or with material that may carry dog hair(for example blankets).
Fear of Dogs
If a child has a phobia or fear of dogs we will ensure that they do not have contact with the dog. If it is deemed to be suitable, a plan may be considered to introduce the child to the dog, but this would be determined by parents and SLT and a risk assessment would be carried out to support this process.
Safeguarding
The dog handler would not be left unaccompanied with any children. They would also be made aware of contacting the Designated Safeguarding Lead or a Deputy if they have any concerns regarding a child with whom they are working with.
Guidelines to interaction with a dog visiting school
The dog handler will always be in charge of the session and will take a lead with the interactions to ensure that the dog is happy throughout the contact. Similarly, the staff member should be alert to the child’s behaviour and communication to ensure that the interaction remains positive.
Adults are required to adhere to the following;
- To encourage the children to approach the dog calmly and slowly
- To encourage the children to walk rather than run towards the dog
- To offer the back of their hand for the dog to sniff when meeting him, to encourage the child to do the same
- To ensure that they and the children wash their hands after they have been stroking the dog
Infection control
Any dog who visits the school as a therapy dog must be fully vaccinated, treated regularly for worms and fleas and should be kept away from the school when they are ill. Children will be required to wash their hands after handling the dog. The dog handler must ensure that the dog has had an opportunity to empty his bowels and bladder prior to arriving in school. The handler should be vigilant for any cues that the dog needs to go to the toilet. If this is the case he would go off site. In the unlikely event of an accident, the handler would be provided with the cleaning materials and he would dispose of the ‘blue roll’, and waste within a bag and this would be taken out to the skip.
Informing parents
Parents will be made aware if their child will be in contact with the dog. They will be informed via class Dojo. In the event of a parent not giving consent, alternative arrangements will be made for their child.
3. Stray Dogs
If it became clear that there was a stray dog on school grounds, SLT or the operations manager should be contacted. In the event of the dog being on site, the pupils should be kept away from the area (for example, should return inside).
The senior member of staff, should then contact the Dog Warden:
01274 433927
3. Family Members bringing dogs to school
As a safeguarding measure we do not allow pets onto the school grounds whilst children are being collected or dropped off by family members. This policy is in place, due to the unpredictable nature of animals. There are also additional risks associated with the complex nature of our pupils.
This is with the exception of working dogs.
Forms
https://www.bradford.gov.uk/environment/dogs/stray-dogs/