First Aid Policy - Code of Practice

Please note: “Executive Headteacher” hereinafter referred to as “Headteacher”

First Aid Policy

Willow Dene School will comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety (First aid) Regulations 1981 and the Health and Safety Commission’s Approved Code of Practice and Guidance. The extent of the provision will be based on risk assessment.

The aim of first aid is to reduce the effects of injury or illness suffered at work, either caused by the work itself or by some other factor. It also provides treatment for minor injuries that would otherwise receive no treatment at all.

There will be sufficient first-aid personnel and facilities to:

• give immediate assistance to casualties with common injuries or illness and those likely to arise from specific hazards at work;
• summon an ambulance or other professional help if required.

The first-aid requirements of staff and pupils located off site during the school day and anyone who working outside normal hours will also be provided for.

Non-employees do not have the right to first aid, but the only way to discharge the overall duty of care is to make some first aid provision. It will therefore be ensured that there is adequate cover.

First Aid Guidelines

Appointed Person

• to summon help in the event of an incident and to give assistant until the arrival of the trained first aider;
• to ensure suitable first aid provision across the School;
• to ensure first aiders receive continuing training;
• to keep other staff informed by displaying first-aid notices. These should be clear and easily understood by all employees, and should comply with the Health & Safety (Safety signs and Signals) Regulations 1996;
• to keep up to date with the latest best practice in first aid.
  

First Aid Provision

The first-aid provision for each Key Stage site is:

• KS1 and KS2 have at least two qualified first aiders. Details of the current first aiders are shown in Appendix A;

• a readily accessible first aid box in each classroom and additional areas as identified in Appendix B;

• the first aid box to be suitably stocked as identified in Appendix C;

• information for employees on first-aid arrangements.
• All Foundation stage groups have paediatric first aiders who accompany them on external visits.

The first aid provision for staff and students temporarily off site is:

• travelling first aid kits are provided to be used when off site if alternative sources are not provided on the transport used. These are held in each key stage (Foundation – classes, KS1 – outside the deputy head’s office, KS2 – outside the Headteacher’s office.

Medical staff based at the school do not provide first aid treatment.

Basic first aid training is also provided to all staff members. This is achieved by having regular INSET (updated every 3 years) in the form of a 1 day course provided by accredited first aid trainers.

First Aider Responsibilities

• to provide first aid treatment in the key stage block for which they are primarily responsible;
• to provide first aid cover to other areas in the absence of the appointed first aider for the other area;
• to ensure that all first aid boxes and travelling first aid kits are fully stocked in their area of responsibility according to the contents described in Appendix C;
• to maintain additional stocks for the key stage block in order to immediately replenish used items;
• to perform a check of the boxes and kits at least once each half term;
• to inform appointed person of first aid supplies required for their key stage block;
• when necessary contact the Admin Office to call for an ambulance following school procedures as outlined in appendix D, they will then inform the Premises staff so that they are available to open the gates;
• to keep up to date with the latest best practice in first aid.

First Aider Qualifications/Training

• before taking up first-aid duties, a first aider must hold a valid certificate of competence in first aid at work;
• in addition first aiders are also expected to hold emergency first aid for people working with babies and children;

• these certificates are valid for three years, and so refresher training will be provided before the certificate expires. Attendance at a refresher course may occur up to three months before the expiry date of the certificate;

• a record will be maintained of first aiders and their certificate expiry dates.

Appointed Person Qualification/Training

• before taking up appointed persons duties, an appointed person must hold a valid certificate in appointed persons training;
• the certificate is only valid for three years, and so a refresher training will be provided before the certificate expires. Attendance at a refresher course may occur up to three month before the expiry date of the certificate;
• a record will be maintained of appointed persons and their certificate expiry dates.
  

Recording First-aid Treatment

Records of all first aid cases treated, by first aiders are entered on the first aid accident report form. the Accident Book held in each building.. Standard letters are available for bumps to the head as in Appendix E, these are located with first aid accident report form and should be completed by the first aider and sent home by the class staff.

First-aid rooms

Should it be necessary to carry out the first aid in a separate room, the Medical Room in Foundation may be used. Mains water is available in this room if required for eye baths.

Exclusions for infectious diseases

The school follows guidance from the Health Protection Agency and the nursing team for exclusion periods for infectious diseases. Current reportable diseases are stated in Appendix E. These diseases are reported to the Health Protection Agency by a member of the school admin team on a daily basis.

Appendix A

Current Appointed Persons

Current First Aiders

Appendix B

Locations of First Aid Boxes

KS1

KS2

FOUNDATION

Appendix C

Contents of first aid boxes and travelling first aid kits

First-aid containers should protect first-aid items from dust and should be stocked only with items useful for giving first- aid. The container should be clearly identifiable, marked with a white cross on a green background.

Boxes and kits should contain sufficient quantities of each item and nothing else. Used items must be disposed of as clinical waste.

Tablets, medicines, cotton wool should not be kept in first-aid containers.

FIRST AID BOX

TRAVELLING FIRST AID KIT

APPENDIX D

TO BE UPDATED BY DEPUTY HEAD AND NURSING TEAM

Procedure for sending children home

Should class staff feel that a child is not well enough to be in school the following procedures should be followed before a child is sent home on medical grounds.

NON EMERGENCY

 contact a first aider, or medical staff if more appropriate, to check the child;

 if the first aider/nurse advise that the child should not be in school headteacher, deputy head or assistant head should be contacted to determine the action to be taken. This may be:

-the class teacher or head teacher to contact the parent/carer to let them know their child is unwell and ask them to come to school to collect the child to take home;

-keep the child in class under observation for a period of time, but the class teacher to let the parent/carer know this is happening;

-keep the child in school for the rest of the day, but again the class teacher to phone the parent/carer to let them know their child is unwell;

if the child is being collected let the office know;

the lunchtime bus may be requested to take a child home if the parent/carer is not able to collect them.

EMERGENCY

contact a first aider, or medical staff if more appropriate, to check the child;

should the first aider/nurse advise that the child requires emergency treatment, headteacher, deputy head or assistant head should be contacted to determine the action to be taken. This may be:

-call an ambulance (the office will make the initial call and then pass the call onto the classroom to provide more detailed information).The class teacher to contact the parents to ask them to meet the child at the hospital. A member of staff will accompany the child and wait until the parents/carers arrive, returning to school once they have arrived;

-in exceptional circumstances a school vehicle or an appropriately insured staff member’s vehicle may be used to take the child to hospital. The class teacher should contact the parents to ask them to meet the child at the hospital. A member of staff (in addition to the driver) will accompany the child and wait until the parents/carers arrive, returning to school once they have arrived.

APPENDIX E

EXCLUSION PERIOD FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The following table is intended as a guide only. If you are ever in doubt about a medical matter, professional guidance should be sought.

Guidance taken from School Health Protection Matters - 2004.

Produced in consultation with the school nursing team and South East London Health Protection Team.

The above diseases are reportable to the Health Protection Agency by a member of the school admin team on a daily basis.

APPENDIX E

HEAD BUMP LETTER

Dear Parent/Carer

Date...... Time......

...... was seen by a first aider at school because they bumped their head.

Basic first-aid treatment has been administered by the school and no further treatment was required at the time of the accident. You are advised to monitor your child over the next 24 hours and seek medical attention if they show any of the following symptoms: vomiting, blurred vision, headaches or drowsiness.

Yours sincerely

......

First Aider(print name)

Assessment of First-Aid Needs Checklist

Assessor’s Name:Claire Celisse

Job Title:Principal Premises Officer

Date of assessment:April 2012

Premises/Service area covered:Willow Dene School

Signed:Date: