First Aid Policy including School Procedures
Approved by: Local Governing Committee Approved on: 10th December 2024
Review date: December 2025 Originator(s): JBL
"The
Pope Francis
1. Introduction
First aid can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones. Under health and safety legislation employers have to ensure that there are adequate and appropriate equipment and facilities for providing first aid in the workplace. Health and safety legislation places duties on employers for the health and safety of their employees and anyone else on the premises. In schools this includes responsibility for the head teacher and teachers, non-teaching staff, pupils and visitors (including contractors).
2. The role of the school
St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School has a responsibility to:
have a clear policy and a named person responsible for pupils who require first aid. Named person is Mrs S Simpson (First Aider)
The objective of the First Aid Policy at St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School is to ensure that there is adequate provision of appropriate first aid at all times and to ensure that where pupils have been injured, there are suitable mechanisms in place to provide remedial treatment.
There will be at least one qualified person on the school site when children are present.
During lessons if first aid is required staff must use the On Call system and request first aid assistance. If an accident occurs in the playground and first aid is required, one of the staff on duty should deal with the accident, using the radio system to request first aid and report as standard.
3. Recording Accidents
All accidents must be recorded on appropriate documentation. All details need to be filled in, including treatment. Forms are available in the Main Office, the Medical Room, House Offices and T: drive. For minor accidents involving pupils, parents are informed. If a child receives a bump on the head, the parent will be contacted immediately. If the accident is more than a minor one for a child or adult, the Headmaster or Deputy Head should be informed immediately. An ambulance is called, if needed, and parents are contacted prior to the HSE being informed if RIDDOR reportable.
A member of staff will always stay with the pupil until the parents are available. The appropriate forms must be completed by parents on collection of the child when the accident is reported to them. A copy of the accident form is to be kept in the appropriate file in the Year Team office, with the original being kept in the centralised record keeping file in the Main Office First aid and accident forms for staff are stored with the Headmaster’s PA.
All accidents and first aid treatment for pupils and students in school will be recorded in CPOMS.
4. RIDDOR Reporting
Accidents to staff, pupils and visitors reportable under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) will be referred to the Business Manager. The Business Manager will inform the HSE. Copies of all forms completed should be retained.
5. First Aid Boxes
First Aid Boxes are available in:
• The Main School Office
• Staff Room
• All Science Labs and DT Rooms
• First Aid Room
• Year Team Offices
• A portable first aid box is equipped for staff to take on all visits out of school.
The contents of the first aid boxes will be in accordance with the guidance given in HSE document “Basic advice on first aid at work”. Mr S Hill, is responsible for checking the contents of the first-aid boxes and for placing orders to replenish stock. All staff are responsible for notifying Mr S Hill if the contents of any of the first-aid boxes are running low. Mr S Hill to check all first aid boxes and update paperwork Paperwork to be kept in the Medical Room.
There are two defibrillators in school, 1 in the Sports venues and 1 in Main Reception.
6. First Aid Treatment
Mrs Simpson is the first point of call for medical issues but there are seven trained first aiders who can be called upon when first aid is required. A fill list of trainer first aiders in school include;
Name: Course:
Mrs Simpson North East Ambulance Service 22/02/2023 21/02/2026
Miss Charlton Future Quals 04/06/2024 23/06/2027
Mrs Storey North East Ambulance Service 12/06/2024 11/06/2027
Miss Lawless North East Ambulance Service 05/07/2024 04/07/2027
7. Administration of Medicines
Only essential medicines will be administered during the school day. These will be only those prescribed by a doctor. Non prescribed medication must be presented to school in the original box and with instructions. Parents/carers must give appropriate written permission before any medication is administered.
Essential medicines will be administered on Educational Visits, subject to conditions above.
Before administering any medication, staff must check that the medicine belongs to the child, check that the dosage they are giving is correct and that written permission has been obtained. Any child refusing to take medicine in school will not be made to do so and parents will be informed about the dosage missed.
All medicines will be stored safely. Medicines needing refrigeration will be stored in the Medical Room fridge. Some medicines (inhalers, EpiPen’s) will be kept in clearly labelled containers in the Main Office, but all pupils will be encouraged to have their own with them at all times. All pupils with an inhaler and/or EpiPen must take them on educational visits, however short the duration.
EpiPen – any member of staff can administer an EpiPen in an emergency. The pen (cap off) should be pushed against the child’s thigh (through clothing) and held for a count of 3 seconds (10 seconds for Jext) before being withdrawn. Ambulances must be called for a child who may require an EpiPen. This must be done immediately. Parents/carers should be contacted after this call has been made. A Sharps bin is in the Medical Room for the safe disposal of EpiPens/Jext pens.
Medical information is to be shared with Assistant Heads of Year and Heads of Year who are to check in with pupils monthly. Heads of Year are to share medical information with Form Tutors. Assistant Heads of Year and Heads of Year will be informed as and when there are changes to medical information. Primarily, responsibility lies with parents and carers to inform and update school of medical information.
8. In an Emergency
In a medical emergency, first aiders will respond in the first instance, with Mrs Simpson being the primary responder. If an ambulance needs to be called, staff will;
• Outline the condition and how it occurred.
• Give details of regarding the child’s date of birth, address, parents’ names and any known medical conditions
• Children will be accompanied to hospital by a member of staff if this is deemed appropriate.
• Parents/carers must always be called in a medical emergency but do not need to be present for a child to be taken to hospital.
9. Monitoring and Evaluating
St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School’s policy will be reviewed and revised at least every 3 years.
Appendices – Flowchart of first aid procedures
Appendix 1 – First Aid Flow Chart – First aid for a pupil/student
Appendix 2 – First Aid Flow Chart – Staff/visitor
Appendix 1 – First Aid Flow Chart – First aid for a pupil/student
