We believe this policy should be a working document that is fit for purpose, represents the school ethos, enables consistency and quality across the school and is related to the following legislation:

• Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981

• Occupiers’ Liability Acts 1957 and 1984

• Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974

• Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

• Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999

• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

• Education Act 2002

• Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002

• Equality Act 2010

• School Premises (England) Regulations 2012

• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013

The following documentation is also related to this policy:

• Equality Act 2010: Advice for Schools (DfE)

• Race Disparity Audit - Summary Findings from the Ethnicity Facts and Figures Website (Cabinet Office)

We have a duty of care under The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 to promote the health, safety and welfare of all pupils, school personnel and school visitors by providing adequate first aid equipment, facilities and school personnel qualified in first aid.

We will ensure that under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) that all accidents resulting in death, major injury or the prevention of the injured person undertaking their normal work for more than three days will be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

We will ensure that first aid provision is up to date and available at all times in school and for all off-site educational visits and sporting events. Pupils and school personnel with specific health needs and disabilities will be given specific consideration.

We ensure all school personnel and supply teachers:

• are trained in first aid;

• will attend periodic first aid refresher training;

• are trained in how to administer medication in the case of a severe allergic reaction;

• are familiar with the Individual Health Care Plans of pupils in their care;

• know what to do in an emergency;

• are aware that allergy management strategies are incorporated into risk assessments for all school events, educational visits and sporting events.

We work hard to have in place and to maintain a system that ensures all medical care plans are kept up to date and are available at all times to school personnel who may need them in an emergency. It is vital that all medical care plans clearly indicate whether pupils or staff need emergency medication such as asthma inhalers or epipens.

Those members of the school personnel who have volunteered to administer or supervise the taking of medication attend regular refresher training and are up to date with the medical care plans for those pupils with specific medical needs or emergency medication.

We are aware that following a change in the law, we are allowed to purchase spare adrenaline auto-injectors such as EpiPen, Jext or Emerade for use on children with serious allergies in emergencies. 

We acknowledge that these spare devices can only be used on pupils at risk of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) where consent from doctors and parents has already been obtained.

We wish to work closely with the School Council and to hear their views and opinions as we acknowledge and support Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child that children should be encouraged to form and to express their views.

We as a school community have a commitment to promote equality. Therefore, an equality impact assessment has been undertaken and we believe this policy is in line with the Equality Act 2010.

We all have a responsibility to ensure equality permeates in to all aspects of school life and that everyone is treated equally irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We want everyone connected with this school to feel safe, secure, valued and of equal worth.

We acknowledge the findings of the Race Disparity Audit that clearly shows how people of different ethnicities are treated across the public services of health, education, employment and the criminal justice system. 

We believe it is essential that this policy clearly identifies and outlines the roles and responsibilities of all those involved in the procedures and arrangements that is connected with this policy.

Aims

• To provide adequate first aid provision and medical care for pupils and school personnel.

• To have in place qualified first aid personnel who are aware of hygiene and infection control procedures.

• To have in place adequate first aid equipment.

• To have in place excellent lines of communication with the emergency services and other external agencies.

• To ensure compliance with all relevant legislation connected to this policy.

• To work with other schools and the local authority to share good practice in order to improve this policy.

Role of the Governing Body

• nominated a member of staff to take charge of first aid arrangements;

• delegated powers and responsibilities to the Headteacher to ensure the school complies with The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR);

• delegated powers and responsibilities to the Headteacher to ensure all school personnel and visitors to the school are aware of and comply with this policy;

• responsibility for ensuring that the school complies with all equalities legislation;

• responsibility for ensuring funding is in place to support this policy;

• responsibility for ensuring this policy and all policies are maintained and updated regularly;

• responsibility for ensuring all policies are made available to parents;

• responsibility for the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this policy.

Role of the Headteacher

• ensure the school complies with The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR);

• ensure adequate first aid equipment, facilities and school personnel qualified in first aid are in place;

• ensure that the nominated person is suitably trained, has sufficient time to undertake their role and an adequate budget to purchase first aid equipment; 

• purchase and have in place spare adrenaline auto-injectors such as EpiPen, Jext or Emerade for use on children with serious allergies in emergencies;

• train all school personnel in first aid arrangements;

• ensure all school personnel, pupils and parents are aware of and comply with this policy;

• provide leadership and vision in respect of equality;

• provide guidance, support and training to all staff;

• monitor the effectiveness of this policy by speaking with pupils, school personnel, parents and governors;

• annually report to the Governing Body on the success and development of this policy.

Role of the Nominated Person

• ensure all school personnel are trained in first aid arrangements and hold a valid certificate of competence that is valid for three years;

• ensure all school personnel receive refresher training every three years;

• organise and maintain the medical area as suggested by HSE:

• a sink with hot and cold running water;

• drinking water and disposable cups;

• soap and paper towels;

• a store for first-aid materials;

• foot-operated refuse containers, lined with yellow, disposable clinical waste bags or a container suitable for the safe disposal of clinical waste;

• a chair;

• a telephone or other communication equipment; and

• a record book for recording incidents attended by a first-aider or appointed person.

• ensure that there are adequate stocks of first aid equipment;

• ensure first aid kits are British Standard BS 8599 and contain the following as suggested by HSE:

  • a leaflet giving general guidance on first aid; 

  • individually wrapped sterile plasters (assorted sizes), appropriate to the type of work (hypoallergenic plasters can be provided if necessary);

  • sterile eye pads;

  • individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile;

  • safety pins;

  • large sterile individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings;

  • medium-sized sterile individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings;

  • disposable gloves. 

• position and maintain first aid containers at appropriate locations around the school;

• conduct with the Health and Safety coordinator annual risk assessments;

• ensure all accidents and injuries are recorded and reported;

• ensure that pupils and school personnel with specific health needs and disabilities are given specific consideration;

• ensure the appropriate medical resources (asthma inhalers, insulin, epipens) are available for those pupils with specific health needs at all times;

• ensure school personnel are aware of the specific health needs and disabilities

• determine the level of provision:

  • at breaktimes and lunch times

  • when school personnel are absent

  • for all educational visits and sporting activities

  • for curriculum activities

• ensure first aid kits are taken on educational visits or off-site sporting activities;

• ensure there is a designated medical area that is kept well stocked and free from clutter;

• ensure school personnel follow basic hygiene procedures and have access to disposable gloves and hand washing facilities;

• inform parents of any accident especially head injuries and of any first aid administered;

• ensure first aid notices are displayed in the appropriate places;

• ensure first aid information is provided in the staff handbook;

• provide guidance and support to all school personnel;

• keep up to date with new developments and resources;

• review and monitor;

Role of the Health and Safety Coordinator

• carry out regular inspections of premises and school activities;

• assist in carrying risk assessments;

• investigate potential hazards, employee complaints, accidents and dangerous occurrences;

• make representation to employers and others on health and safety matters arising;

• provide information and guidance to school personnel;

• lead the development of this policy throughout the school;

• work closely with the Headteacher and the nominated governor;

• provide guidance and support to all staff;

• provide training for all staff on induction and when the need arises regarding;

• keep up to date with new developments and resources;

• review and monitor;

• annually report to the Governing Body on the success and development of this policy.

Role of School Personnel

• be aware of first aid arrangements;

• be suitably trained in identifying pupils with expected medical problems;

• report any concerns they have on the medical welfare of any pupil;

• undertake training in first aid, administration of medicines and awareness of medical problems in pupils;

• report and record all accidents and first aid treatment administered;

Role of Parents/Carers

• be aware of and comply with this policy;

• inform the school of their child’s medical history that may be a cause for concern;

• complete the necessary paper work before the school administers any medication to a child;

• be asked to take part periodic surveys conducted by the school;

• support the school Code of Conduct and guidance necessary to ensure smooth running of the school.

Role of Pupils

• must report all accidents;

• listen carefully to all instructions given by the teacher;

• ask for further help if they do not understand;

• support the school Code of Conduct and guidance necessary to ensure the smooth running of the school;

Recording Accidents and Injuries

• recorded in the Accident Book with all details given;

• reported to parents in person, by letter or phone

• all accidents involving the loss of life, major injury or preventing the injured person undertaking their normal work for more than three days must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Training

• All staff have equal chances of training, career development and promotion receive training related to this policy on induction which specifically covers:

  • Health and Safety

  • Basic first aid

  • Medical care

  • Dealing with emergencies

  • Safeguarding and Child Protection

  • Administering Medicines

  • Hygiene

• receive periodic training so that they are kept up to date with new information

• receive equal opportunities training on induction

This policy will be reviewed when required