First Aid Policy

Policy details

• Date created - 01/03/24
• Next review date - 01/09/2024
• Policy owner - Elizabeth Clewlow

Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams is ‘nut free’ as a way of supporting pupils

with this serious allergy. This is communicated to parents regularly and also on our website.

Introduction and Context

Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams believes that every child can be knowledgeable, articulate and successful. We will have the highest standards for every member of our school community, and we will expect the best from our students in terms of effort, organisation and behaviour. Our curriculum will be knowledge rich and stimulating and our teaching staff will be subject experts who provide high quality teaching, supporting and challenging every child in their care.

At Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams, colleagues and students will work at PACE, ensuring Pride, Ambition, Care and Excellence for self, school and city.

Introduction

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide trained people, equipment etc., to deal with First Aid emergencies and ill health occurring at work.  

This policy outlines the Co-operative Academy of Florence MacWilliams responsibility to provide adequate and appropriate first aid to students, staff, parents/carers and visitors and the procedures in place to meet that responsibility.  

The academy recognises that First Aid can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones. This document has been prepared to provide guidance on the policy and procedures for dealing with First Aid at Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams. The requirements for the statutory provision of First Aid have been taken into full account to ensure that it will provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and qualified first aid personnel. Failure to implement the procedures contained in this document could result in a criminal offence as well as disciplinary action being taken by the Academy. This policy is informed by the DfE Guidance on First Aid for Schools and is reviewed annually.  

Aims 

• To identify the first aid needs of the Academy in line with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 and 1999.
• To ensure that first aid is always available while people are on academy premises and off the premises whilst on academy visits.

Objectives

• To appoint the appropriate number of suitably trained people as First Aiders and Appointed Persons to meet the academy's needs.
• To provide relevant training and ensure monitoring of training needs
• To provide sufficient and appropriate resources and facilities
• To inform staff and parents of the academy’s First Aid arrangements
• To keep accident records and to report to the HSE as required under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995.

Academy First Aid Staff –

Staff Induction to the Academy

All staff members will receive appropriate instruction and training relevant to their roles during emergencies involving the most common serious medical conditions at this academy. This includes understanding their duty of care to pupils

Key Points:

1. Emergency Training for Common Medical Conditions:

• All staff working with groups of pupils will receive training on how to respond in emergencies related to common serious medical conditions or needs.
• Training will be refreshed regularly for all staff.
• Additional specific training will be provided for staff required to meet the particular needs of a child, such as using an epipen or responding to epilepsy or diabetes.

2. Visible Emergency Instructions:

• Actions for staff to take during emergencies for common serious conditions will be displayed in prominent locations, such as offices and staff rooms.

3. Healthcare Plans:

• Healthcare Plans will inform relevant staff, including temporary and support staff, about pupils who may need emergency assistance.
• In an emergency, a copy of the child's Healthcare Plan will be sent with the child to medical staff. If this is not possible, the information will be communicated to emergency staff as soon as possible.

4. General Emergency Procedures:

• All staff will understand and be trained in general emergency procedures.
• This training includes knowing how to contact emergency services, what information to provide, and who to contact within the academy.
• Training and briefings will be provided at regular intervals.
• Actions to take during a general medical emergency will be displayed prominently.

5. Accompanying Pupils to Hospital:

• If a child needs to be taken to the hospital, a staff member will always accompany them and stay until a parent arrives, preferably someone familiar to the child.
• Staff generally should not take pupils to the hospital in their own cars unless clearly guided by the academy's policies on when and if this is appropriate.

TRIAGE

First Aid chat will be used to send for a member of First Aid staff if a child reports in need of emergency First Aid.  

Personnel   

The Headteacher   

The Headteacher is responsible for the health and safety of their employees and anyone else on the premises. This includes the teachers, non-teaching staff, pupils and visitors (including contractors).

They must ensure that a risk assessment of the Academy is undertaken and that the appointments, training and resources for first aid arrangements are appropriate and in place.

They should ensure that the insurance arrangements provide full cover for claims arising from the actions of staff acting within the scope of their employment.

The Headteacher is responsible for putting the policy into practice and for developing detailed procedures.

The Headteacher should ensure that the policy and information on the Academy’s arrangements for first aid are made available to parents/carers.

All teachers and other staff are expected to do all they can to secure the welfare of the students.

Identification of Suitable Employees

In selecting first-aiders, the Headteacher should consider the person’s:

• Reliability and communication skills
• Aptitude and ability to absorb new knowledge and learn new skills  
• Ability to cope with stressful and physically demanding emergency procedures  
• Normal duties. A first aider must be able to leave to go immediately to an emergency,

The Headteacher must ensure that candidates are fully briefed on the role and requirements of being a First Aider. They must understand the health risks associated with rendering First Aid and be prepared to receive appropriate health and immunisation advice.  

Definitions

A First Aider is a person who has attended, successfully completed and has a valid certificate for the 3 day ‘First Aid at Work’ training course approved by the HSE.  

Appointed Person means a person who has attended, successfully completed and has a valid certificate for the ‘Appointed Persons’ training.

First Aid means the following:

• Cases where a person will need help from a medical practitioner or nurse,  
• Treatment for the purpose of preserving life and minimising the consequences of injury and illness until such help is obtained,  
• Treatment of minor injuries which would otherwise receive no treatment or do not need treatment by a medical practitioner or nurse.

Role and Responsibilities of Appointed Persons  

An Appointed Person is someone who:   

• Takes charge when someone is injured or becomes ill
• Looks after the first-aid equipment e.g. restocking the first-aid container
•  Ensures that an ambulance or other professional medical help is summoned when appropriate.

Appointed persons are not first aiders. They should not give first aid treatment for which they have not been trained. However, it is good practice to ensure that appointed persons have emergency first aid training/refresher training, as appropriate. These courses do not require HSE approval. They normally last four hours and cover the following topics:

• What to do in an emergency;
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
• First aid for the unconscious casualty;
• First aid for the wounded or bleeding.

Emergency first-aid training should help an Appointed Person cope with an emergency and improve their competence and confidence.  

Appointed Person’s role includes: 

• The administration of First Aid, up to but not exceeding the level of their training, ensuring that any incident and treatment given is recorded in a suitable local register
• Reporting immediately to the Headteacher, by telephone, all incidents requiring the attendance of a student, member of staff or any person at hospital.  
• Ensuring that all spillages of body fluids are cleared up promptly.
• Ensuring, in liaison with the Headteachers PA, that appropriate documentation is completed and that reportable (more serious) accidents are reported to them as soon as possible after dealing with the immediate effects.

The First Aider’s responsibilities include:   

• Attending an initial approved training course approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• Ensuring their own recommended immunisations/injections are up to date and
• Reporting any illness or injuries (to the Health and Safety Officer and Headteacher) which would preclude their abilities to administer First Aid, in order for the Academy to arrange alternative cover.
• First Aiders also have the responsibility to attend a three yearly refresher training course. (They should attend this course before the expiry of their previous accreditation or they will have to complete the initial training course again)

First Aid should be provided where a person will need further medical treatment until such help arrives, and for the treatment of minor injuries. It should be noted that the treatment of minor illnesses, by the administration of tablets or medicines, falls outside the definition of First Aid. (See Medical Treatment Policy)  

The role of the first aider is to provide care after an accident or injury including preserving life, minimising further damage and making the patient as comfortable as possible until professional medical or nursing help is available. It is not to give treatment.

The role of a member of staff discovering a serious injury or illness is to make contact with the Office Manager and manage the situation until a qualified person becomes available.

Office staff will then contact a first aid qualified person and the Headtecahers PA will contact the emergency services if needed.  

There is one main access point for the emergency services which is through the main entrance.

The First Aider will decide on whether or not the ill or injured party should move, be moved, or remain undisturbed, and may have to take other appropriate action, depending on the assessment of the situation.

In the case of a serious incident, available staff should also seek to ensure the safety and welfare of other students in the area.

Indemnity and Insurance 

Where an employee acting in the course of their employment administers First Aid assistance to another employee or other person in the charge of the Academy, such as a pupil, they will be indemnified by the liability insurance for a claim of negligence relating to injury or loss caused by their actions, provided that:

• They are an academy officially designated First Aider with a current valid First Aid at Work Certificate and have attended relevant refresher training
• They are an Academy officially designated Appointed Person with a current valid Appointed Persons Training Certificate and have attended relevant refresher training
• The relevant protective equipment (PPE) is used
• The First Aider or Appointed Person is adhering to protocols and acting within the limitations of their training and the First Aider or Appointed Person is acting in good faith.

Use of the ‘Epi Pen’

Members of staff who have been trained in the use of the ‘Epi Pen’ whether by a parent/carer, user or medical staff, will also be covered provided that:

• The member of staff is adhering to protocols and acting within the limitations of their training.
• That the member of staff is acting in good faith.

Procedures

Risk assessment

Reviews are required to be carried out at least annually, and when circumstances alter, at  the request of the Headteacher. Recommendations on measures needed to prevent or control  identified risks are forwarded to the Headteacher.

Re-assessment of first-aid provision 

As part of the academy’s annual monitoring and evaluation cycle

• The Headteacher reviews the academy’s first-aid needs following any changes to staff, building/site, activities, off-site facilities, etc.
• The designated Health and Safety Officer monitors the number of trained first aiders, alerts them to the need for refresher courses and organises their training sessions
• The designated Health and Safety Officer also monitors the emergency first-aid training received by other staff and organises appropriate training

Providing information 

The Headteacher will inform all staff (including those with reading and language difficulties) of the first-aid arrangements, including the location of equipment, facilities and first-aid personnel, and the procedures for monitoring and reviewing the Academy's first-aid needs.

The Health and Safety Officer   

• Provides information packs for new staff as part of their induction programme
• Gives all staff information on the location of equipment, facilities and first-aid personnel.  

First Aid Notices will be displayed in a prominent place. 

Provision

How many first-aid personnel are required?

The Headteacher will consider the findings of the risk assessment in deciding on the number of first-aid personnel required. Academies are low risk environments, but the Headteacher will consider the needs of specific times, places and activities in deciding on their provision.

In particular they should consider:

• Off-site PE
• Academy trips
• Science labs
• DT/Art rooms
• Adequate provision in case of absence, including trips
• Out-of-hours provision e.g. clubs, events

Arrangements should be made to ensure that the required level of cover of both First Aider and Appointed persons is always available when people are on academy premises.

Qualifications and Training 

First Aiders will hold a valid certificate of competence, issued by an organisation approved by the HSE.

Appointed persons will undertake one-day emergency first-aid training. Specialist training in first-aid (FAAW) should be arranged in a three year cycle.

First-aid materials, equipment and facilities 

The Headteacher must ensure that the appropriate number of first-aid containers according to the risk assessment of the site, are available. See HSE guidelines on recommended and mandatory contents. First Aid boxes are available in the front office and PE.
 

• All first-aid containers must be marked with a white cross on a green background
• First aid containers must accompany PE teachers off-site

First aid containers should be kept near to hand washing facilities and can be found in the following areas:

First Aid Containers   

A schedule showing the locations of First Aid containers will be made available.  Items will be discarded safely after the expiry date has passed.  

Accommodation 

The Headteacher must provide a suitable room for medical treatment and care of children during academy hours. This need not be a dedicated area but should be close to a lavatory and be near to a washbasin.

Control of Infection 

Many blood-borne microorganisms have the capacity to infect a first aider should blood from an already infected casualty enter an open wound or sore on the person of the first aider, for example Hepatitis.

The HIV virus is not readily transmitted in this way and only a small number of cases of cross infection are documented in health care circles, usually involving heavily infected patients in the latter stages of their condition.

However, the emergence of HIV/AIDS has served to concentrate attention on sensible and routine protective measures which should always be employed during the treatment of bleeding wounds, regardless of the health or otherwise of the casualty.

As it is impossible to be sure of who is, or is not, infected with these viruses the following precautions should be taken by first aiders:

• Treat all casualties as if they are carriers of a virus
• Always cover open wounds on your own hands with a waterproof adhesive dressing
• Where practical, a pair of disposable gloves (latex or nitrile) should be worn when dealing with bleeding or when cleaning up body fluids or excreta
• All used gloves, waste dressings and other contaminated waste should be placed in a plastic bag for disposal (see later)
• Any blood splashes on the skin should be washed off with soap and water
• If a cut or puncture wound by a needle is sustained, let the wound bleed, squeeze it gently but do not suck it. Wash the area in cold running water and apply a sterile dressing. Report the incident and seek medical advice immediately.
• The HIV virus has only occasionally been found in saliva and in very small quantities when compared with blood. No HIV infection is known to have occurred as a result of carrying out mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Therefore, the risk to the first aider is thought to be extremely small and should not discourage a prompt response in a life, saving emergency. A protective resuscitation aid can be used where available and this may be kept in first aid kits.
• Never reuse disposable equipment or use to treat more than one casualty.

Dealing with Blood and Body Fluid Spills 

Spillages of blood, vomit, urine and excreta should be cleaned up promptly. The following general actions must be taken by the person dealing with the spill:

• Clear the immediate area of people. Hazard signs and cordoning may be necessary, according to the circumstances.
• Disposable personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves (latex or nitrile) or equivalent and a disposable plastic apron must be worn.
• Any spilt blood or other body fluids should be cleaned up, either with disposable absorbent paper towels or with an appropriate sanitizing product

Waste Disposal

Waste created by the administration of first aid is categorised as hazardous as it may contain bodily fluids. However, in most circumstances and premises the amount produced is minimal and as such special arrangements for disposal are not required.

Reporting Accidents

Statutory requirements: under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) some accidents must be reported to the HSE.

The Headteacher must keep a record of any reportable injury, disease or dangerous occurrence.  This must include: the date and method of reporting; the date, time and place of the event; personal details of those involved and a brief description of the nature of the event or disease. This record can be combined with other accident records. All of these reports are kept electronically. If the injured party requires more than basic first aid (i.e. hospital treatment) the First Aider must contact the Headtechers PA. A copy of the student/staff information will be printed off ready to give to the emergency services by the Headteachers PA. Once the call has been made a member of staff will meet the emergency services on the main road and direct them to the injured person.

The following accidents must be reported to the HSE involving employees or self-employed people working on the premises:

• Accidents resulting in death or major injury (including as a result of physical violence)
• Accidents which prevent the injured person from doing their normal work for more than three days

For definitions, see HSC/E guidance on RIDDOR1995, and information on Reporting Academy Accidents (Annex A).

All accidents will be recorded on CPOMS or Parago depending on severity.

Accidents involving students and visitors:

In the case of any accidents that result in the person being killed or being taken from the site of the accident to hospital and if the accident arises out of or in connection with work i.e. if it relates to;

• Any academy activity, both on or off the premises
• The way the Academy activity has been organised and managed
• Equipment, machinery or substances
• The design or condition of the premises

HSE (RIDDOR) must be notified of fatal and major injuries and dangerous  occurrences without delay – the nominated First Aider in charge will do this. 

HSE will be notified of fatal and major injuries and dangerous occurrences without delay (i.e. by telephone). This will be followed up within ten days with a written report on Form 2508. Other reportable accidents do not need immediate notification, but they will be reported to HSE within ten days on Form 2508.

The Headteacher is responsible for ensuring this happens but may delegate the duty to a member of the SLT.

Record keeping

Statutory accident records: The Headteacher must ensure that readily accessible accident records, written or electronic, are kept for a minimum of seven years. (See DSS The Accident Book BI 510).

Academy’s central record: This can be combined with the RIDDOR record and the Accident Book, providing all legislation requirements are met. Records are kept electronically.

The Headteacher must ensure that a record is kept of any first aid treatment given by first aiders or appointed persons. This should include:

• The date, time and place of incident
• The name (and class) of the injured person
• Details of their injury and what first aid was given
• What happened to the person immediately afterwards
•  Name and signature of the first aider or person dealing with the incident.

The Headteacher must have in place procedures for ensuring that parents are informed of significant incidents. All head injuries should be reported to parents/carers as soon as possible.

Monitoring 

Accident records can be used to help the Heads and Health and Safety identify trends and areas for improvement. They also could help to identify training or other needs and may be useful for insurance or investigative purposes.

The Headteacher should establish a regular review and analysis of accident records.

Action in the Event of Injury – Aide Memoir

• There is also a school inhaler located near in main reception  
• People with minor injuries should report to the teacher.
• Students needing first aid during a lesson should be referred to Triage at reception by the teacher, who will then call for the First Aider on duty once assessed by Triage if deemed necessary. They should be accompanied by an adult if the injury is more serious.  
• If it would further endanger the student then the nearest First Aider should be called to the casualty and Reception informed.
• Casualties with suspected fractures or back or neck injuries must not be moved unless directed by the ambulance personnel. For the patient’s safety and insurance reasons, they must NOT be moved on the instructions of ANY bystander. 
• Injuries and accidents that occur during non-contact and break times should be dealt with in a similar way by the Duty Staff.
• No student should be left unattended in the Medical Room.
• In more serious cases, where hospital attention is deemed necessary an ambulance will be called and the parent/carer.
• In the absence of a parent/carer, a member of staff must accompany the student to the hospital and remain there until the parent arrives.
• If a parent/carer cannot be contacted, the Academy will act in loco parentis and give permission for any emergency treatment.

Procedures for First Aid Staff 

The academy will not allow under any circumstances the administration of non prescriptive medicines in the academy.

First Aid should only be administered in response to an immediate and serious medical problem.

No treatment or procedure should be attempted for which formal training has not been undertaken.

All head injuries must be reported to the parent/carer and referred on to the nearest casualty department.  

Parents of students who have received First Aid must be advised at the earliest opportunity  of the incident, the injury and the action taken. Any injury has to be recorded and parent informed via Arbor.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Review

The Governing Body will review this policy annually and assess its implementation and  effectiveness. The policy will be promoted and implemented throughout the Academy.

Appendix One 

Statutory Training 

First Aid at Work 

This is the First Aid course, which covers a wide range of situations from low to high risk. On successfully undertaking training and passing a written and practical assessment, the person will be issued with a First Aid at Work Certificate valid for three years. This qualification is renewable within the valid time of the certificate. Once the certificate date has expired the person will need to attend the full First Aid at Work course.  This course takes place over four days (24 hours tuition).  

First Aid at Work Refresher

This training re-qualifies holders of a First Aid at Work Certificate providing they pass their  written and practical assessment. Those who wish to renew their certificate must do so  before the three year expiry date, ideally 2 years 10 months. This course takes place over  two days (12 hours tuition). Where staff may need to administer First Aid to children under  seven years of age, an appropriate additional paediatric resuscitation module must also be  taken.

Appointed Person 

The minimum requirement on an employer is to appoint a person to take charge of First Aid  arrangements and any emergency First Aid situation. An Appointed Person can provide  temporary cover for First Aiders, ensuring that someone is always available to give First Aid  immediately following an incident. The certificate is valid for three years. This course takes  place over one day (6 hours tuition). Where staff may need to administer First Aid to children  under seven years of age, an appropriate additional paediatric resuscitation module must  also be taken.

Refresher Training (update in First Aid skills)

This is additional training to ensure that practical skills are maintained and is not an  alternative to statutory training. This training should be carried out annually by all designated  First Aiders and Appointed Persons. This course takes place over 3 hours.  

First Aid Equipment

A minimum of one First Aid box of appropriate size should be provided for each  establishment and/or building and any Academy vehicle. Passenger carrying vehicles (PCV)  and minibuses must carry First Aid kits that comply with PCV and Minibus Regulations. Each  First Aider should have their own First Aid kit for rapid access in an emergency situation.

All First Aid kits/boxes should be identified by a white cross on a green background and  contain the following minimum items:

• Guidance card 
• Sterile dressings, 6 small, 6 medium and 2 large
• 20 Individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (blue detectable in food preparation  areas)
• 2 Sterile eye pads
• 4 Triangular bandages
• 12 Safety pins
• 2 Disposable gloves
• 1 x 300ml bottle of sterile water or normal saline should be supplied where tap water is not  available
• Individually wrapped moist wipes could be supplied where tap water
• is not available
• 1 pair scissors (First Aid Type)
• 1 roll micro pore tape
• 1 resusciade mouthpiece and
• Pencil and paper

Quantities should be decided upon in the light of risk assessment, taking into account the  number of staff and pupils.

There must be no medication of any kind, for example aspirin, paracetamol, antiseptic  creams, burn sprays, etc within the First Aid kit/box, and administration of medication  in a First Aid situation is not part of the First Aider’s role. 

The reasoning behind this is:

• In the case of tablets you may not know if any medication has previously been taken  or, if it has, what dosage and when. This being the case, your ‘prescription’ may  adversely affect any further treatment or surgery that may later be required
• If the wrong cream were used for the wrong injury, or used inappropriately, there may  be serious scarring and long term discomfort for the casualty. There may also be the  chance of an adverse allergic reaction

Since first aid containers are available to anyone who wishes to use them, the possibility of  the problems highlighted above occurring is quite high.

The provision of plasters, contrary to popular belief, is fine. Most people will know if they are  allergic to plasters and will ask for alternatives to be used.

Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite), or one of the available proprietary combined soak and  disinfectant products, should be available in the workplace for cleaning up spillages of body  fluids, but should not be located with, or in, the First Aid box. Clinical disposal bags should  also be provided.

Appendix 2 - Useful Contacts 

British Red Cross 
9 Grosvenor Crescent
London SW1X 7EJ
Tel: 0171-235 5454 

Child Accident Prevention Trust 
Clerks Court 18-20 Farringdon Lane
London EC1R 3AU
Tel: 0171-608 3828 

CLEAPPS School Science Service 
Brunel University
Uxbridge
UB8 3PH
Tel: 01895 251496 

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA)
Edgbaston Park
353 Bristol Road
Birmingham B5 7ST
Tel: 0121-248 2000 

Department of Health 
Wellington House
133-155 Waterloo Road
London SE1 8UG
Tel: 0171-972 2000 

Health and Safety Executive 
HSE First Aid Applications and Monitoring Section
Quay House Quay Street
Manchester M3 3JB
Tel: 0161-952 8276 

HSE Infoline 
Tel: 0541 545500 
or write to:

HSE Information Centre
Broad Lane
Sheffield S3 7HQ

Department for Education 
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
Westminster
London SW1P 3BT
Tel: 0171-925 5000 

St John Ambulance 
1 Grosvenor Crescent
London SW1X 7EF  

References

“Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs: a good practice guide”, DfE/Department of Health DfE Circular 14/96 “Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs in School”