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First Aid Policy

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First Aid Policy

Policy details

  • Date created - 05/12/2023
  • Date reviewed - 05/12/2024
  • Date approved - 25/01/2024
  • Next review date - January 2026
  • Policy owner - Charlotte Millea

  1. Aims
  2. Legislation and Guidance
  3. Safeguarding
  4. Roles and responsibilities
  5. First aid procedures
  6. First aid equipment
  7. Record-keeping and reporting
  8. Training
  9. Links with other policies

Aims

The aims of our first aid policy are to:

  • Ensure the health and safety of all staff, pupils and visitors
  • Ensure that staff and governors are aware of their responsibilities with regards to health and safety
  • Provide a framework for responding to an incident and recording and reporting the outcomes

Legislation and guidance

This policy is based on the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, advice from the Department for Education on first aid in schools and health and safety in schools, and the following legislation:

Safeguarding

All first aiders at Co-op Academy Delius have an up to date DBS. When facilitating first aid, the staff member should be mindful of where the injury is and should consider the potential need for a ‘chaperone’. If a first aider notices any unexplained marks during the administration of first aid, or if they have any safeguarding concerns, these must be reported to the designated person in school responsible for Safeguarding. These concerns should be reported without delay. The Designated Safeguarding Lead and a team of Designated Safeguarding Deputies can be identified via the flowchart which is visible around school and on the website.

Roles and responsibilities

At Co-op Academy Delius, we have two categories of first aiders. We have regular first aiders, whom this policy refers to and our key first aiders (see Appendix 1 for our Key First Aider protocol). This is to support our most medically vulnerable and complex children, who often require more experienced first aiders to support and meet their needs.

At Co-op Academy Delius, wherever possible we have a first aider in each class. We also have a range of other staff members who are not class-based who are also first aiders. For example, our caretaker.

Alongside first aiders, we have staff who are trained to administer medication and to deliver medical interventions. These staff are not always first aiders. Where children require rescue medication, school endeavours to ensure that there is always a trained member of staff within the class. All staff are expected to be ‘care plan aware’

The majority of our first aiders are paediatric first aiders to comply with the Statutory Framework for Early Years Foundation Stage.

First aiders

The school’s first aiders are made clearly available to staff in the form of posters which are on the wall in each classroom and shared space.

First Aiders are responsible for:

  • Taking charge when someone is injured or becomes ill
  • Recording the treatment/advice given to the person that they have supported
  • Ensuring there is an adequate supply of medical materials in first aid kits, and replenishing the contents of these kits
  • In the event of an emergency situation, calling for a Key First Aider which will ensure that an ambulance or other professional medical help is summoned

First aiders are trained and qualified to carry out the role and are responsible for:

  • Acting as first responders to any incidents; they will assess the situation where there is an injured or ill person, and provide immediate and appropriate treatment. First aiders will call for a Key First Aider if buccolam/ Rectal Paraldehyde is to be given and where there is an anaphylactic reaction. First aiders will also call for a Key First Aider if breathing is suppressed or a defibrillator is required, Key First Aiders will support and take the lead if called to such situations
  • Liaising with Senior Leaders (SLT) when it is necessary for pupils to go home to recover
  • Filling in an accident report on the same day, or as soon as is reasonably practicable, after an incident Parago Accident Form 
  • Completing a First Aid Recording Form 
  • Telephoning parents to inform them if a First Aid Recording Form would not be the best way to communicate. For example, a child who has cut their face and would be going home on the bus. Parents should be telephoned as it may be a shock to see their child arrive home with a bloodied face.  

The governing board

The governing board has ultimate responsibility for health and safety matters in the school, but delegates operational matters and day-to-day tasks to the headteacher and staff members.

The headteacher

The headteacher is responsible for the implementation of this policy, including:

  • Ensuring that an appropriate number of trained first aiders  are present in the school at all times
  • Ensuring that first aiders have an appropriate qualification, keep training up to date and remain competent to perform their role
  • Ensuring all staff are aware of first aid procedures
  • Ensuring appropriate risk assessments are completed and appropriate measures are put in place
  • Undertaking, or ensuring that managers undertake, risk assessments, as appropriate, and that appropriate measures are put in place
  • Ensuring that adequate space is available for catering to the medical needs of pupils
  • Reporting specified incidents to the HSE when necessary

Staff

School staff are responsible for:

  • Ensuring they follow first aid procedures
  • Ensuring that  they know who the first aiders in school are
  • Informing the headteacher or their manager if they have any specific health conditions that may require first aid
  • Supporting the first aiders with the best way in which to communicate with families and making phone calls on their behalf if there is a potential language barrier
  • Knowing when to call a first aider rather than a key first aider
  • Supporting the first aider, if they do not know the child and how they present normally or how they communicate
  • To move, support and reassure other pupils in class to minimise disruption as needed.'

First aid procedures

In-school procedures

In the event of an accident resulting in injury:

  • If a first aider is not present in class or a nearby classroom, the class team will radio for a first aider. If it is a medical emergency a Key First aider should be requested (see Appendix 1 for Key First Aid protocol)
  • The first aider, will assess the injury and decide if further assistance is needed from a Key First Aider, they will remain on scene until help arrives
  • The first aider will also decide whether the injured person should be moved or placed in a recovery position
  • If the first aider judges that a pupil is too unwell to remain in school, they will contact SLT and liaise with them. If SLT are in agreement, parents will be contacted and asked to collect their child. Upon their arrival, the first aider will recommend next steps to the parents
  • If emergency services are called, the Key First Aid protocol will be implemented
  • The first aider will complete an accident report form and a First Aid Recording Form This form will be received by a member of the administration team who will use the information to send a Dojo message to parents to notify them of the fact that their child has had first aid support. A template has been developedFirst Aid Recording Form - Dojo Template - policy  in order to support this process.
  • The adult accident reporting forms can be found on the computer desktop by clicking the icon for ‘accident recording’  or by clicking this link Parago Accident Form

Off-site procedures

When taking pupils off the school premises, First Aider in liaison with the leader of learning will ensure they always have the following:

  • A school mobile phone
  • A portable first aid kit
  • Information about the specific medical needs of pupils
  • Parents’ contact details
  • Medication and care plans

Risk assessments will be completed by the class teacher prior to any educational visit that necessitates taking pupils off school premises. A member of SLT will review the risk assessment and sign to confirm that it meets the requirements within school policy.

There will always be at least one first aider with a current paediatric first aid certificate on school trips and visits, as required by the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Further to this, staff who are trained in medical interventions (who are not always first aiders) will also attend visits when required, in order to meet the childrens’ needs.

First aid equipment

A typical first aid kit in our school will include the following:

  • A leaflet with general first aid advice
  • Regular and large bandages
  • Eye pad bandages
  • Triangular bandages
  • Adhesive tape
  • Disposable gloves
  • Antiseptic wipes
  • Plasters of assorted sizes
  • Scissors
  • Cold compresses
  • PPE
  • distilled water

No medication is kept in first aid kits.

First aid kits are stored in:

  • The nurses room
  • Reception (at the desk)
  • The school hall
  • School minibus
  • Classrooms
  • Pool

There is a dedicated member of staff who is responsible for ensuring that the first aid kits are well-stocked.

Record-keeping and reporting

  • A First Aid Recording Form will be filled out by a first aider. This will automatically prompt the administration staff to send a dojo letter to parents detailing the situation to the child’s parents
  • Where required, an accident form will be completed by the first aider on the same day or as soon as possible after an incident resulting in an injury
  • As much detail as possible should be supplied when reporting an accident, including all of the information included in the accident form
  • Records held in the first aid and accident book will be retained by the school for a minimum of 3 years, in accordance with regulation 25 of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979, and then securely disposed of

Reporting to the HSE

The Health and Safety Officer will keep a record of any accident which results in a reportable injury, disease, or dangerous occurrence as defined in the RIDDOR 2013 legislation (regulations 4, 5, 6 and 7).

The Health and Safety Officer will report these to the Health and Safety Executive as soon as is reasonably practicable and in any event within 10 days of the incident.

Reportable injuries, diseases or dangerous occurrences include:

  • Death
  • Specified injuries, which are:
  • Fractures, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes
  • Amputations
  • Any injury likely to lead to permanent loss of sight or reduction in sight
  • Any crush injury to the head or torso causing damage to the brain or internal organs
  • Serious burns (including scalding)
  • Any scalping requiring hospital treatment
  • Any loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia
  • Any other injury arising from working in an enclosed space which leads to hypothermia or heat-induced illness, or requires resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours
  • Injuries where an employee is away from work or unable to perform their normal work duties for more than 7 consecutive days (not including the day of the incident)
  • Where an accident leads to someone being taken to hospital
  • Near-miss events that do not result in an injury, but could have done. Examples of near-miss events relevant to schools include, but are not limited to:
  • The collapse or failure of load-bearing parts of lifts and lifting equipment
  • The accidental release of a biological agent likely to cause severe human illness
  • The accidental release or escape of any substance that may cause a serious injury or damage to health
  • An electrical short circuit or overload causing a fire or explosion

Information on how to make a RIDDOR report is available here:

How to make a RIDDOR report, HSE
http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/report.htm 

Notifying parents

The First aider, class teacher or senior leader will inform parents of any accident or injury sustained by a pupil, and any first aid treatment given, on the same day, or as soon as reasonably practicable depending upon the situation.

Reporting to Ofsted and child protection agencies

The Headteacher will notify Ofsted of any serious accident, illness or injury to, or death of, a pupil while in the school’s care. This will happen as soon as is reasonably practicable, and no later than 14 days after the incident.

The Headteacher will also notify The Trust of any serious accident or injury to, or the death of, a pupil while in the school’s care.

Training

All first aiders must have completed a training course, and must hold a valid certificate of competence to show this. The school will keep a register of all trained first aiders, what training they have received and when this is valid until (see appendix 2).

Wherever possible staff attend paediatric first aid courses, to ensure that they can fulfil their role around the whole school. Current paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate which meets the requirements set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework and is updated at least every 3 years.

Links with other policies

This first aid policy is linked to the

  • Health and safety policy
  • Risk assessment policy
  • Policy on supporting pupils with medical conditions
  • Key First Aid protocol

Appendix 1 

Key First Aiders Protocol (Updated 2023)

Emergency Procedures - Key First Aid

We have introduced Key First Aiders in school. These people are:

  • Helen Mahoney (Maternity Leave)
  • Sarah Kelly
  • Liz Shields
  • Caroline Hellewell
  • Lorraine Sanderson
  • Cathy Alred
  • Carla Illingworth

 

 

Key first Aiders must liaise with each other if they are leaving the building

These people MUST be called when a child becomes seriously unwell – for example, at the beginning of a seizure for a non epileptic, allergic reaction, if they stop breathing, or administration of buccolam.

How to call upon a Key First Aider  

If there is an emergency, you need to summon help immediately using a radio. There is a script that will be followed.

 ‘Could a Key First Aider Come to Room X, could a Key first aider come to room X’.

It is essential that you radio immediately and repeat the message clearly.

The Key First Aider should respond using a radio by saying ‘xxxx is on their way’

The office staff will listen out, if they notice that the request has been made twice without response, they will use the Tannoy to request help.

 

This process will trigger the involvement of a member of the Senior Leadership who will say  ‘Let xxx if you need SLT’.

Nurses may be called to observe where appropriate.

What happens when the Key First Aider arrives?

The Key First Aider may ask people to leave or may ask for assistance to move the child to somewhere more discrete

The Key First Aider may request a second (specific) first aider to come to support

What is the role of a Regular First Aider?

The introduction of Key First Aiders is to support all first aiders when medical situations become more serious. Regular first aiders should help with minor incidents. They can also administer rescue medication but only with the support of the Key First Aiders. First aiders may be asked to collect consent forms and medicine or rescue medicine whilst the Key First aiders wait with the child.

 

The rest of the team in class have an essential role in class

 

It is appreciated by the Key First Aiders, that some class team members may have close working relationships with pupils and that it can be distressing for everybody involved when there is a medical emergency. However, it is essential that the Leader of Learning supports the rest of the children by continuing with teaching. This may need to happen elsewhere and  this may require more help to change location around school.

 

When should a member of SLT be called?

A member of SLT should be requested when:

  • Rescue medication will be administered
  • A child is seriously unwell
  • The staff need support

What is the role of the Head Teacher or (other member of SLT)

The head teacher (other member of SLT) will attend the incident when requested  to act as a support and a witness.

What is the role of the Head Teacher or (other member of SLT) in the event of a child requiring rescue medicine

The SLT member will ask the following questions as a script for administering medicines:

  • Do you have the medicine for the correct CHILD?
  • Do you have the CONSENT form or care plan for administering buccal midazolam?
  • Do you have the correct medicine and is it out of date?
  • Please can you tell me the dose you are going to administer?
  • What route are you going to administer the medicine?
  • If the situation becomes better, the head teacher will leave, ensuring that the class is safe (for example more staff may be required in class, if the child is in need of closer monitoring

What is the role of the Head Teacher or (other member of SLT) in the event of an ambulance being required

  • If an ambulance is required, they may be the most appropriate person to talk to the operator
  • If this call takes place, the severity of the child’s needs (i.e Profoundly disabled child) must be relayed
  • The head teacher will ensure that the office know if an ambulance has been called and for what child, they will also request that parents are informed
  • The head teacher may, where appropriate, look at the care plans and ask questions of the treatment/first aid given
  • If parents are coming to school and the situation is very serious, the head teacher may feel that it is appropriate to meet the parents at the reception
  • Decide who will go in the ambulance with the child and ensure that cover arrangements have been considered
  • If a child goes to hospital in an ambulance, the Serious Incident Book will be filled in by the member of SLT in charge
  • If a child is gravely ill and parents are being met at the hospital the head teacher may decide to make arrangements for extra Delius presence at the hospital (for example a member of SLT to travel in their car separately)
  • Extra consideration would be given in this case as to which member of staff would travel with the child in the ambulance
  • The head teacher will ensure that all parts of this plan are delivered effectively by overseeing or directing staff as required (not medically)

 

What is the role of the business support team if an ambulance is called

  • If there have been unanswered radio calls for a Key First Aider, they must use the tannoy to convey the message
  • If an ambulance is called, the office will ask if parents need to be contacted
  • The medical information will be photocopied and stamped for GDPR purposes and taken
  • to the child when the paramedics arrive
  • One member of office staff will man the main barrier and another will await the
  • ambulance arriving
  • The paramedics will be signed into school
  • The paramedics will be escorted to the child
  • Ensure staff accompanying children are given the school taxi phone number to call to return to work/home
  • Complete the serious incident book

 

Defibrillator

 

A de-fib which is kept in the central office. If it is required at the scene of an emergency a radio call will be made saying:

‘Please could the orange box be brought to (location), please could the orange box be brought to (location). Someone from the office will then bring the de-fib to the location.

 

Appendix 2:

First Aid Training Log

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