First Aid Policy

2023-2024

First Aid Policy

Policy details

Academy: Co-op Academy Parkland

Policy owner: Charlotte Wierzbianski

Date: September 2023

Date shared with staff: October 2023

Date shared with governors: October 2023

Date for review: October 2024

Policy details        2

Aims        3

Legislation and guidance        3

Roles and responsibilities        4

Appointed person(s) and first aiders        4

The Co-op Academies Trust and AGC        4

The Head of Academy        5

Staff        5

First aid procedures        5

In-school procedures        5

Hygiene controls        6

Off-site procedures        7

First aid equipment        7

Record-keeping and reporting        8

First aid and accident record book        8

Reporting to the HSE        8

Notifying parents        9

Reporting to Ofsted and child protection agencies        10

Training        10

Monitoring arrangements        10

Links with other policies        10

Appendix 1: list of [appointed person(s) for first aid and/or trained  first aiders]        11

Appendix 2: accident report form        12

Appendix 3: Bumped head note for parents/carers        14

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 and Early years foundation stage: coronavirus disapplications guidance, advice from the Department for Education on first aid in schools, health and safety in schools and actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak, 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

The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, which require that suitable space is provided to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils

This policy complies with our funding agreement and articles of association.

Roles and responsibilities

In Early Years Foundation Stage provision, at least 1 person who has a current paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate must be on the premises at all times.

Appointed person(s) and first aiders

The school’s appointed First Aiders are: Fiona Denby and Michele Townend

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 ensuring that  the replenishing of these kits is carried out.  

• 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, where necessary

• Filling in an accident report on the same day, or as soon as is reasonably practicable, after an  incident (see the template in appendix 2)

• Keeping their contact details up to date

Our school’s appointed person(s) and first aiders are listed in appendix 1. Their names will also be  displayed prominently around the school.

The Co-op Academies Trust and AGC 

Co-op Academy Parkland has ultimate responsibility for health and safety matters in the school, but  delegates responsibility for the strategic management of such matters to the Academy Governing Council. 

The AGC delegates operational matters and day-to-day tasks to the Head of Academy and staff  members.

The Head of Academy 

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

• Ensuring that an appropriate number of appointed persons and/or trained first aid personnel 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 (see section 6)

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 2)  for all incidents they attend to where in conjunction with the first aider who responded.

• Informing the Head of Academy or their manager of any specific health conditions or first aid needs

First aid procedures

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 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, a member of the SLT will contact parents immediately

• The responding first aider in conjunction with the relevant witness staff will complete an  accident report form on the same day or as soon as is reasonably practicable after an incident resulting in an injury

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

During coronavirus: we will use our ‘best endeavours’ to ensure 1 person with a full PFA certificate is on site when children aged 2 to 5 are present. If, after taking all possible steps in our power, we’re still unable to secure a staff member with a full PFA certificate, we will carry out a written risk assessment and ensure someone with a current first aid at work or emergency PFA certification is on site at all times when these children are.

During coronavirus: first aiders will follow Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance for first aid during coronavirus. They will try to assist at a safe distance from the casualty as much as possible and minimise the time they share a breathing zone. Treating any casualty properly will be the first concern. Where it is necessary for first aid provision to be administered in close proximity, those administering it will pay particular attention to sanitation measures immediately afterwards including washing their hands.

Hygiene controls

All staff will:

• Follow basic hygiene procedures
• Be made aware as to how to take precautions to avoid infections, as per instruction given on

1st Aid training

• All staff will have access to single use disposable gloves and hand washing facilities.
• Disposable gloves will be worn at all times when dealing with blood or other body fluids or when

disposing of dressings or other potentially contaminated equipment.

N.B. Instructions on the disposal of all used dressings or equipment is included in the 1st Aid

training.

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  

• Information about the specific medical needs of pupils

• Parents’ contact details

Risk assessments will be completed by the lead staff member 2 weeks 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, as required by the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

During coronavirus: we will use our ‘best endeavours’ to ensure 1 person with a full PFA certificate accompanies children on outings when children aged 2 to 5 are present. If, after taking all possible steps in our power, we’re still unable to secure a staff member with a full PFA certificate, we will include this in our written risk assessment and ensure someone with a current first aid at work or emergency PFA certification accompanies these children on the outing. Outings will only be undertaken if it is safe to do so. We will take account of any government advice in relation to educational visits during the coronavirus pandemic.

First aid equipment

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

• Regular and large bandages

• Eye pad bandages  

• Triangular bandages

• Adhesive tape

• Safety pins

• Disposable gloves

• Antiseptic wipes

• Plasters of assorted sizes

• Scissors

• Cold compresses

• Burns dressings

*Covid 19 additionally appropriate PPE will be included this will include masks, aprons and full  face mask.  

No medication is kept in first aid kits.

First aid kits are stored in:.

• Every year group area.

• The main school office

• The school staff room.  

Record-keeping and reporting

First aid and accident record book

• An accident form will be completed by the relevant member of staff on the same day or as soon as possible after an incident resulting in an injury. There is an online accident reporting form where accidents are to be recorded by first aiders . Where appropriate an additional form must be completed by the first aider (head/face injuries or a serious injury) (See Appendix 2)

• As much detail as possible should be supplied when reporting an accident, including all of the  information included in the accident form.

• A copy of the accident report form will also be given to the parent/guardian (head/face injuries/serious injuries) In addition to a bumped head note (see Appendix 4)

• 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 Head of Academy 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). These  records will be held in the main office alongside any supporting documentation i.e investigation  records.  

The Head of Academy will report these to the Health and Safety Executive and Regional Director for West Yorkshire 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:

o Fractures, other than to fingers, thumbs and toes

o Amputations

o Any injury likely to lead to permanent loss of sight or reduction in sight

o Any crush injury to the head or torso causing damage to the brain or internal organs

o Serious burns (including scalding)  

o Any scalping requiring hospital treatment

o Any loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia

o 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:

o The collapse or failure of load-bearing parts of lifts and lifting equipment

o The accidental release of a biological agent likely to cause severe human illness

o The accidental release or escape of any substance that may cause a serious injury or  damage to health

o An electrical short circuit or overload causing a fire or explosion

• Confirmed COVID cases.  

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 or class teacher 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. If it is a head/face injury a phone call home and a bumped head note will be sent.

Reporting to Ofsted and child protection agencies

The Head of Academy will notify the Regional Director for West Yorkshire and 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 Head of Academy will also notify local child protection agencies of any serious accident or injury to, or  the death of, a pupil while in the school’s care.

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.

Staff are encouraged to renew their first aid training when it is no longer valid.  

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 and is  updated at least every 3 years. 

Monitoring arrangements

This policy will be reviewed by the Head of Academy every 2 years.

At every review, the policy will be approved by the Head of Academy and the AGC.

Links with other policies

This First Aid Policy is linked to the

• Health and Safety policy

• Policy on supporting pupils with medical conditions

• Educational Visits Policy.  

• Special Educational Needs.  

• Safety Guidance Document. SG10.

Appendix 1: list of [appointed person(s) for first aid and/or trained  first aiders]

Appendix 2: Accident Reporting Form

Appendix 3: Bumped head note for parents/carers