This policy outlines Rawdhatul Uloom Islamic Primary School’s responsibility to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and qualified first aid personnel for members of staff, pupils, parents, visitors and contractors and the procedures in place to meet that responsibility.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the DfEE Guidance on First Aid for Schools (which can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/first-aid-in-schools, the school’s Health and Safety and Sick Child policies.

Aim

To identify the first aid needs of the school in line with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 & 1999;
To ensure that first aid provision is available at all times while people are on the school premises, and also of the premises whilst on school visits in accordance with the Health and Safety First Aid legislation 1981.

Objectives

To appoint the appropriate number of suitably trained people as Appointed Persons and First Aiders to meet the needs of the school and to maintain a record of that training and review annually;
To undertake a risk assessment of the first aid requirements of the school;
To provide relevant training and ensure monitoring of training needs;
To provide sufficient and appropriate resources and facilities;
To provide awareness of Health and Safety issues within the school and on school trips, to prevent, where possible, potential dangers or accidents;
To inform staff and parents of the School’s First Aid arrangements;
To give clear structures and guidelines to all staff regarding first aid and medicines;
To ensure the safe use, administration and storage of medicines in school and on educational visits;
To report, record and where appropriate investigate all accidents;
To keep accident records and to report to the HSE as required under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences’ Regulation 1995 (RIDDOR).

Roles and Responsibilities

The Governing Body is responsible for the health and safety of staff, pupils, parents and anyone else on the school premises. They ensure that appropriate risk assessments of the school are undertaken and that training and resources for first aid arrangements are appropriate and in place. The GB is responsible for ensuring that insurance arrangements are in place, providing full cover for any claims arising.

The Head teacher is responsible for putting the policy into practice and is made available to all staff and parents. In the event of a medical emergency and the school being unable to contact the parents/carers the Head teacher will act in ‘Locum Parentis’.

Teachers and other school staff in charge of pupils are expected to use their best endeavours to always, particularly in emergencies, to secure the welfare of the pupils at the school in the same way that parents might be expected to act towards their children. In general, the consequences of taking no action are likely to be more serious than those of trying to assist in an emergency.

Duties of an Appointed Person (Guidance on First Aid for schools – DfE)

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

Main Duties of a First Aider (Guidance on First Aid for schools – DfE)

To give immediate help to casualties with common injuries or illnesses and those arising from specific hazards at school;
When necessary, ensure that an ambulance or other professional medical help is called.

In addition to the above, First Aiders are required to follow the procedures outlined in this policy.

First Aid Provision

First Aid kits are available at the following destinations: –

The first aid room;

First Aid Equipment and Facilities

The First Aid room is designated as the First Aid room for treatment, sickness and the administration of First Aid.;
The room has a store for medication, a bin for waste materials, wash basin and a sick bed. Details of children with severe medical conditions will be kept in the first aid room – including a copy of their care plan;
A staff member responsible for the maintenance of the contents of the first aid boxes and other supplies has been appointed. They undertake a check of the contents every two weeks and restock as necessary;
Ice packs are kept in the freezer which is located in the kitchen area;
The cleaners’ closet is where the designated dustpan, brush and bleach is located;
All staff are trained in any aspects of First Aid deemed necessary e.g. asthma, epilepsy, the use of an epipen;
Basic hygiene procedures are followed by staff administering first aid treatment;
Single-use disposable gloves are worn when treatment involves blood or other body fluids;
All staff are responsible for ensuring that they have read the school’s First Aid Policy.

First Aid Training

The GB and the Head teacher are responsible for ensuring that there are an adequate number of qualified First Aiders/Appointed Persons. They ensure relevant staff are trained in the use and administration of Epipens. The school maintains an up-to-date list of those employees who have undergone emergency first aid training.

All staff are informed of First Aid arrangements including reporting and recording and are made aware of this policy as part of their induction.

The Head teacher is responsible for ensuring that there is an adequate number of qualified First Aiders.

Dealing with Head Injuries

Accidents involving a pupil’s head can be complicated as the injury may not be evident (e.g. internal) and the effects only become noticeable after a period;
If the head injury is minor, and emergency treatment is not required, it should still be monitored closely, and a head injury slip should be completed and given to the parents which will outline the injury sustained and symptoms to look out for;
The school will contact parents by phone if they have concerns about the injury.

Procedures in the Event of an Emergency

Examples of emergencies which will require calling the Emergency services are listed below:

Serious injuries;
Significant head injuries;
Severe allergic reactions;
Asthma attacks;
Epileptic fits;
Difficulty in breathing;
Fainting or period of unconsciousness;
Hypoglycemia in diabetics;
Bleeding;
Fractures or sprains;
Concussion.

Dealing with Accidents

If an accident is witnessed and the injured person can walk, staff shall take them to the First Aid room and contact a First Aider. Do not leave them unattended;
If an incident is witnessed and the injured person does not seem able to move, or if an injury is sustained in the region of the head, neck or spine movement should be avoided except if the situation is life threatening in which case it is necessary to make sure that the airway is clear. The injured person shall not be left unattended;
Talk to the person to relax and to reassure them of the action being taken;
A message shall be sent to the office to ask them to contact a First Aider;
If a First Aider is not available, or the situation requires urgent medical assistance then an ambulance shall be called without hesitation.

Dealing with an Emergency

Where the injury is an emergency, an ambulance MUST be called following which parents shall be contacted;
Where hospital treatment is required but it is not an emergency, then school office shall contact the parents for them to take over the responsibility of the child;
If the parents cannot be contacted, the Head teacher or SBM shall accompany the child to hospital and remain with them until the parents can be contacted.

Administration of Medicines

Parents give written consent to authorise First Aiders to administer prescribed medication;
A First Aider shall administer prescribed medicine providing that a ‘Parental Agreement’ form, kept in the school office, is completed and signed;
Parents are responsible for ensuring the medicine is brought to school and taken home from school every day that it is required;
Records are kept in the office of all prescribed medicines administered;
Non-prescribed medicines are not allowed in school;
Our trained First Aiders administer medicines for chronic or long-term conditions;
Medicines are stored in a locked cupboard. Staff shall record the time medication is given and sign the record sheet;
Asthma sufferers are permitted to bring their own treatments (inhalers etc.) to school providing a consent form is completed by parents;
Medication for asthma is stored in an unlocked cupboard in the school office;
Asthma treatments are administered by the pupil, but are supervised by a First Aider when taking the inhaler;
Asthma treatments are taken on Educational Visits and ‘off site’ sporting activities;
Parents are responsible for checking that the inhalers are still within their ‘Use by dates’ and for replacing them;
Parents are responsible for checking that the treatments are still within their ‘Use by dates’ and for replenishing them.
Epipens for anaphylaxis sufferers, are kept out of reach in the individual’s classroom;
Epipens are only administered by members of staff who have received Epipen training
Epipens and the appropriate trained member of staff are taken on Educational Visits and offsite sporting activities.

Hygiene/Infection Control

Hands must be washed before and after giving First Aid;
Single-use disposable gloves must be worn when treatment involves blood or other body fluids;
Any soiled dressings etc. must be disposed of in the yellow clinical waste bin;
Any body fluids on the floor should have absorbent granules sprinkled on to them, then swept up with the designated dustpan and brush. This should also go in a yellow bag and be disposed of yellow waste bin. If possible, area should be bleached (dilute 1:10);
Body fluid spillages on hard surfaces should be cleaned up then bleached;
Exposed cuts and abrasions should always be covered by hypo-allergic plasters.

Staff Procedure

Playtime and lunchtime incidents are dealt with by the staff on duty. For injuries that require closer attention children shall be sent to the school office;
An adult witness shall be present if tending to areas of the body between the waist and the knees;
If an injury is to the groin area, then reasonable efforts shall be taken to seek permission from the parents before attending to the child or request made to the parents to come into school and witness any first aid administered;
If no trained first aider is present during lesson time, then the child shall be accompanied either by an adult or responsible child.

Accidents and Injury Reporting

Any pupil complaining of illness or who has been injured is sent to the medical room for the qualified First Aider to inspect and, where appropriate, treat or seek expert medical help if required;
Accidents involving blood loss or blows to the head shall always be reported to First Aid Personnel;
All accidents/injuries/head injuries/ailments and treatment shall be recorded immediately on the Administration of First Aid book kept in the main school office;
Parents shall be notified by a note if any First Aid has been administered. A copy of the note sent home shall be kept in the school office;
Parents shall be informed by a note of any head injury sustained;
Parents shall be contacted by telephone if a child has received a bump to the head, or for significant incidents;
If a staff member is concerned about the welfare of a pupil, they shall contact the school office immediately. If an injury has been sustained, the pupil shall not be moved;
Parents shall be contacted if there are any doubts over the health or welfare of a pupil;
The school office shall contact the parents if there are any concerns about the injury, or need to send a child home through illness;
More serious accidents or incidents of violence are recorded on ‘Record of concern’ forms obtainable from the school office;
Any significant injury also needs to be filled out in the Accident Book or Pupil Accident Book. This needs to be completed by the person administering First Aid and by the person who witnessed the accident. These records are normally kept for 7 years.
In the event of a serious incident an ambulance shall be called, and a member of staff shall accompany the pupil to hospital. Parents shall be asked to go immediately to the hospital. It may be appropriate to transport a pupil to hospital without using an ambulance. This is done on a voluntary basis. In such cases staff shall ensure they have specific cover from their insurance company;
Staff shall complete the accident book for employees if they sustain an injury at work. The book can be obtained from the school office. An injured member of staff or other supervising adult should not continue to work if there is any possibility that further medical treatment is needed. The member of staff or other supervising adult concerned shall seek medical advice without delay;
If the nature of the accident involves contacting Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), the Head teacher will contact them.

Administering First Aid off site

First Aid provision is available always during school educational and sporting visits;
A trained appointed person or First Aider shall accompany all off-site visits and activities along with a suitably stocked First Aid box;
The First Aider shall ensure that they are aware of the contents of the First Aid box and its location always throughout the visit;
All adults present on the visit shall be made aware of the arrangements for First Aid;
In the event of an accident or other incident on a trip, the trip leader is responsible for ensuring the health and safety of the injured child and the rest of the party;
A member of staff is designated to contact the school with details;
Details to include:

o Where the group is;

o What has happened;

o Any details of emergency services involved;

o The school shall will contact parents and advise on any further action.

A copy of the Parental Agreement form is taken along with the relevant medication on the visit.
The medication shall be kept in the First Aid box, and shall be administered by the First Aider at the necessary time and recorded.