Ashurst Primary School

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

2. 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, guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on incident reporting in schools, and the following legislation:

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, which state that employers must provide adequate and appropriate equipment and facilities to enable first aid to be administered to employees, and qualified first aid personnel
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992, which require employers to make an assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which require employers to carry out risk assessments, make arrangements to implement necessary measures, and arrange for appropriate information and training.
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013, which state that some accidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and set out the timeframe for this and how long records of such accidents must be kept
Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979, which set out rules on the retention of accident records
The School Premises (England) Regulations 2012, which require that suitable space is provided to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils

3. Roles and responsibilities

Each school/college shall have a minimum of one member of staff (whether teaching or non-teaching) who is a First Aider. Schools such as Ashurst CE Aided primary School that have Early Years Foundation Stage provision must have at least 1 person who has a current paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate on the premises at all times. In addition, according to size, further personnel shall be trained in first aid practice in order that suitable arrangements can be made to ensure that as far as is practicable, a First-Aider shall be available to administer first aid as required during every school working day.

3.1 Appointed persons and first aiders

The school’s appointed person and lead first aider is Mrs S Smith (FAW), first aiders are Mrs T Clarke (PFA), Mrs N Cunningham (PFA) and Mrs L Welstead (EFAW). Their names are displayed around the school.

They are responsible for:

Taking charge when someone is injured or becomes ill
Ensuring there is an adequate supply of medical materials in first aid kits, and replenishing the contents of these kits
Ensuring that an ambulance or other professional medical help is summoned when appropriate

First aiders are trained and qualified to carry out the role (see section 7) 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
Sending pupils home to recover, in consultation with lead first aider Mrs S Smith, where necessary
Filling in an accident report on the same day, or as soon as is reasonably practicable, after an incident (see the requirements in appendix 1)
Keeping their contact details up to date.

3.2 The governing body

The governing body 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.

3.3 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 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 staff 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/ WSCC when necessary (see section 6)

3.4 Staff

School staff are responsible for:

Ensuring they follow first aid procedures
Ensuring they know who the first aiders in school are
Completing accident reports (see appendix 1) for all incidents they attend to where a first aider is not called
Informing the headteacher of any specific health conditions or first aid needs
Informing the appointed person of first aid supplies used

4. First aid procedures

4.1 In-school procedures

In the event of an accident resulting in injury:

The closest member of staff present will assess the seriousness of the injury and seek the assistance of a qualified first aider, if appropriate, who will provide the required first aid treatment
The first aider, if called, will assess the injury and decide if further assistance is needed from a colleague or the emergency services. They will remain on the 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, 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 most senior member of staff, or those designated by the most senior member of staff, will contact parents immediately
The first aider will complete the accident report book on the same day or as soon as is reasonably practical after an incident resulting in an injury

There will be at least 1 person who has a current paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate at all times when EYFS children are on the premises.

4.2 Off-site procedures

When taking pupils off the school premises, staff will ensure they always have the following:

A mobile phone
A portable first aid kit including, at minimum:

o A leaflet/ booklet giving general advice on first aid

o 6 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings

o 1 large sterile unmedicated dressing

o 2 triangular bandages – individually wrapped and preferably sterile

o 2 safety pins

o Individually wrapped moist cleansing wipes

o 2 pairs of disposable gloves

Information about the specific medical needs of pupils
Parents’ contact details

When transporting pupils using a minibus or other large vehicle, the school will make sure the vehicle is equipped with a clearly marked first aid box containing, at minimum:

10 antiseptic wipes
1 conforming disposable bandage (not less than 7.5cm wide)
2 triangular bandages
1 packet of assorted adhesive dressings
3 large sterile unmedicated ambulance dressings (not less than 15cm × 20 cm)
2 sterile eye pads, with attachments
12 assorted safety pins
1 pair of rustproof blunt-ended scissors

Risk assessments will be completed by the relevant member of staff and reviewed by the school business manager /head teacher prior to any educational visit that necessitates taking pupils off school premises.

There will always be at least 1 first aider with a current paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate on school trips and visits involving EYFS, as required by the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

There will always be at least 1 first aider on school trips and visits.

5. First aid equipment

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

A leaflet giving general advice on first aid
20 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes)
2 sterile eye pads
2 individually wrapped triangular bandages (preferably sterile)
6 safety pins
6 medium-sized individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings
2 large sterile individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings
3 pairs of disposable gloves

No medication is kept in first aid kits.

The main First aid kits are stored in the first aid cabinet in the staff room.

Each class has a portable first aid kit for use at playtime, PE sessions and on school trips.

5.2 Emergency medication

Emergency prescription medication such as auto-injectors and inhalers required by children is kept in the child’s classroom. Additional supplies of these purchased by the school are kept in the first aid cabinet in the staff room.

6. Record-keeping and reporting

6.1 First aid and accident record book

The accident book 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 at appendix 2
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

6.2 Reporting to the HSE

The lead first aider 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 lead first aider will report these to the HSE as soon as is reasonably practicable and in any event within 10 days of the incident – except where indicated below. Fatal and major injuries and dangerous occurrences will be reported without delay (i.e. by telephone) and followed up in writing within 10 days.

School staff: reportable injuries, diseases or dangerous occurrences

These 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) which:

Covers more than 10% of the whole body’s total surface area; or

Causes significant damage to the eyes, respiratory system or other vital organs

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

Work-related injuries that lead to an employee being away from work or unable to perform their normal work duties for more than 7 consecutive days (not including the day of the incident). In this case, the lead first aider will report these to the HSE as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within 15 days of the accident
Occupational diseases where a doctor has made a written diagnosis that the disease is linked to occupational exposure e.g. Carpal tunnel syndrome, Severe cramp of the hand or forearm, Tendonitis or tenosynovitis of the hand or forearm
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 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

Pupils and other people who are not at work (e.g. visitors): reportable injuries, diseases or dangerous occurrences

These include:

Death of a person that arose from, or was in connection with, a work activity*
An injury that arose from, or was in connection with, a work activity* and the person is taken directly from the scene of the accident to hospital for treatment

*An accident “arises out of” or is “connected with a work activity” if it was caused by:

A failure in the way a work activity was organised (e.g. inadequate supervision of a field trip)
The way equipment or substances were used (e.g. lifts, machinery, experiments etc); and/or
The condition of the premises (e.g. poorly maintained or slippery floors)

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

6.3 Notifying parents

Whilst only Early Years providers are required to notify parents/ carers of any injury to their child, we believe it is prudent to advise parents and carers of accidents or injuries requiring first aid

The first aider, or someone designated by them, 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. Parents will also be informed if emergency services are called.

6.4 Reporting to Ofsted and child protection agencies (early years only)

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 WSCC of any serious accident or injury to, or the death of, a pupil while in the school’s care.

7. Training

All school staff are able to undertake first aid training if they would like to.

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 staff training folder in the main office).

The school will arrange for first aiders to retrain before their first aid certificates expire. In cases where a certificate expires, the school will arrange for staff to retake the full first aid course before being reinstated as a first aider.

At all times, at least 1 staff member will have a current paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate which meets the requirements set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework. The PFA certificate will be renewed every 3 years.

8. Monitoring arrangements

This policy will be reviewed by the Headteacher and Governor’s Health and Safety sub-committee annually

At every review, the policy will be approved by the Health and Safety sub-committee

9. 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
Managing Medicines policy

Appendix 1:

The following information is required to be logged in the accident/ injury book under the relevant headings. This is located in the first aid cabinet in the staff room.

date

child’s name & any linked / children’s names

time of accident/ injury

member of staff on duty / in the classroom

brief details of the injury including diagram showing affected area if deemed important, what first aid was administered (cleaned wound, applied plaster, ice pack/ cold compress, sat quietly, monitored child etc)

what action was taken ( eg phoned parents, head bump advice leaflet given, monitored during session/day, length of time of nose bleed etc),

if a WSCC form was completed,

printed name of member of staff dealing with the incident

signed name of member of staff dealing with the incident.

APS First Aid Policy

APS First Aid Policy

APS First Aid Policy SP25.docx