First Aid Policy (Whole School)

This policy includes a statement on the Policy for Administration of Medicine in EYES (E5)

This policy includes students in the EYFS aged 3-5 years and also applies to extended care in school.

• Introduction (08/23)

This policy applies to all stages of GDST schools, Senior, Junior and Early Years Foundation

Each school and Trust Office should have, and implement, their own first aid policy and procedures which reflects the GDST policy and guidance and their own local circumstances.

Schools may find it helpful to add appendices to their policy, e.g. their:

• First Aid Needs Risk Assessment,
• list of first aiders, principal locations and contact details,
• list of the location of first aid kits, defibrillators and emergency medication (e.g. automatic adrenaline injectors and inhalers),
• the school’s procedures for:
• Administration of medicines
• Allergy management
• Common childhood ailments
• Care of pupils with chronic /long term illnesses
• Eating disorders and self harm
• Head injuries
• Infection control
• Sharps disposal
• Spillages of bodily fluids
• Promoting positive mental health

The health and safety of the pupils in the care of SHS is one of our prime concerns. There are, accordingly, clear procedures laid down by the Trust and the School to organize the provision of First Aid for the pupils and staff both on and off school premises. Schools have added to this policy appendices  e.g. list of first aiders, location of first aid kits and defibrillators, and the schools procedures for the Administration of Medicines, Common Childhood Ailments, care of pupils with Allergies and Chronic/Long Term illnesses, Sharps Disposal and Spillages of Bodily Fluids.

• Aim of GDST First Aid Policy Statement (08/23)

This policy is designed to promote the health, safety and welfare of pupils, staff and visitors at GDST schools through the provision of first-aid facilities, equipment and trained personnel in accordance to the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations and relevant DfE guidance.

‘First-aid’ means:

(a) in 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, and

(b) treatment of minor injuries which would otherwise receive no treatment or which do not need treatment by a medical practitioner or nurse.

H&S (First Aid) Regulations 1981(as amended)

School Provision

The aim of first aid is to save lives and to ensure that minor injuries and illnesses do not escalate into major ones. Therefore, in accordance with good practice, ISI and DfE requirements, Sheffield High School as well as all GDST schools will ensure that:

• A first aid needs risk assessment is carried out to ascertain how many first aiders and what type of first aid equipment/facilities are required on each site. 
• It is strongly recommended that a record is kept of all incidents dealt with by a first aider or appointed person to help inform the development of the policy and any subsequent first aid needs assessments. Information from health and safety risk assessments can also inform these first aid needs assessments. Identifying the likely causes of accidents or injuries will help headteachers to work out the type, quantity, and location of first aid equipment needed, and the facilities and personnel required. The needs of pupils, students and visitors should be considered alongside the needs of employees when making such assessments and when putting in place appropriate first aid provision.
• Provision should be enough to ensure that first aid can be administered without delay should the occasion arise, and be available at all times. This means that arrangements should take account of absences of a first aider or appointed person and reflect alternative work practices. Further details of what factors to consider when making needs assessments and appointing emergency cover for first aiders can be found in HSE’s first aid guidance.
• Employers should review their first aid needs after any major changes such as changes to staff or premises, to make sure provision remains appropriate.
• It takes into account factors such as:
  • The number of staff / pupils on the site,
  • The location of the school and higher risk parts of the school site
  • The full range of activities undertaken by staff and pupils on the school premises during the normal school day, and as appropriate off-site and outside normal school hours, e.g. before / after the school day, at weekends and during the school holidays;

First Aiders

To qualify as a first aider an individual should undergo appropriate training delivered by a competent training provider and hold a valid first aid certificate.

We would expect, in the vast majority of cases, that the first aid needs assessment would identify that at least one first aider is required to provide first aid to meet the needs of employees, pupils, students and visitors. There is no rule on the number of first aiders required as this will be identified as part of the first aid needs assessment and will be based on the circumstances of each individual school or college.

In selecting a first aider, the following factors should be considered:

• 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
• availability to respond to an emergency immediately
• give immediate help to casualties with common injuries or illnesses and those arising from specific hazards at the school or college or on educational visits
• when appropriate, ensure that an ambulance or other professional medical help is called

First aiders will be expected to:

The School Nurse[1] or qualified First Aiders, as part of their responsibilities, will administer first aid in a timely and competent manner, and organise an injured person’s transfer to hospital in the case of an emergency,

There are a wide range of first aid qualifications. Which courses staff should attend will be determined by the minimum requirements set down by the DfE, Trust policy and the Trust’s insurers, and the school’s first aid needs risk assessment. Detailed guidance is given in the ‘First Aid’ section on the Hub.

A register of First Aiders must be maintained to ensure that staff undertake refresher training at appropriate intervals, and new First Aiders are appointed as necessary. Copies of training certificates must be kept.

All First Aiders are covered by the Trust’s insurance against claims for negligence provided that they are suitably trained, and are carrying out their duties for the school/Trust.

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[1] Some GDST Schools do not have a qualified School Nurse in post, or the School Nurse may be absent on some days. The expression ‘School Nurse’ in this Policy therefore includes Senior First Aiders, School Welfare or Pupil Health Officers as appropriate.

• As a minimum, at least one adult with a current ‘First Aid at Work’ qualification (3-day training) is present on each school site during the normal school day, and at least one person with a current (2 day)paediatric first aid certificate if Early Years Foundation Stage pupils is present.  It may be sufficient for an 'Emergency First Aider in the Workplace (1 day training) to be present at other times, e.g. at the end of the school day or weekends and holidays when low risk after-school clubs are running, or early mornings, evenings and weekends and holidays when only employees are on the site undertaking low risk activities. However this must be determined by risk assessment. If there is any doubt to the level of risk of the activity, someone with a current 3 day first aid qualification should be present on site.
• Appropriately qualified and equipped first aiders will accompany /be present at all off site sporting activities, fixtures, matches and events and educational visits/school trips. All school trips/outings undertaken by Early Years Foundation Stage pupils must be accompanied by at least one person with a current (2 day) Paediatric First Aid Certificate.
• The necessary first aid equipment and facilities are provided at appropriate locations throughout the school, as well as an adequate number of appropriately qualified First Aiders.
• Adequate training and guidance is provided for First Aiders, including refresher training every 3 years and, where appropriate, specialist first aid training, for example:
  • Paediatric First Aid for Early Years Provision,
  • First Aid for Lifeguards (currently not applicable at SHS)
  • Sports First Aid training for PE staff
  • Schools First Aid / First Aid for staff accompanying pupils on lower risk educational visits
  • Activity First Aid / Outdoor First Aid / Rescue & Emergency training for staff accompanying pupils on higher risk educational visits or visits to remote;
• Lists of First Aiders names, qualifications, contact details are prominently displayed around teh school where staff and pupils can see them.
• All staff are made aware of first aid arrangements and such information is included in the induction process for new staff and during the inset days at the start of each academic year. 
• Parents are made aware of the school’s first aid arrangements and the procedures for informing them if their child has had an accident, sustained an injury or received first aid treatment/medication at school or on an off-site school activity. NB wherever possible the parents of EYFS pupils are informed on the same day as the accident / treatment;
• A record is kept of any first aid treatment administered by the school nurse/first aiders;
  • A record is kept of all accidents and injuries to staff and pupils occurring both on and off the school premises as a result of school activities and all medication administered by school staff.
  • Records will be kept in accordance with https://oracle.gdst.net/legal/SitePages/DataProtection.aspx#16._Retention_of_datathe Trust’s policy on the retention of documents. In practice this means that records relating to pupils should be kept until pupils attain the age of 25, and records for all other categories of people should be kept for a minimum for 6 years;
• The HSE is informed of injuries that are reportable under RIDDOR without delay. Detailed guidance on how and when to do this is given in the Accident Recording and Reporting section on H&S Oracle;
• All injuries to staff and pupils requiring treatment beyond that provided by the School Nurse / First Aider are reported to the H&S team at Trust Office via the Sphera (RIVO) Accident Reporting System used by Sheffield High School and reported on at the termly Health and Safety meetings.
• ‘Dangerous occurrences’ and significant ‘near misses’ (events taht, while, not causing harm to a person, have the potential to cause injury or ill health or significant property damage )are recorded using the Sphera (RIVO) system and reported on at termly Health and Safety Meetings.
• First-aid and accident reporting arrangements are regularly reviewed.

First Aid Provision must be available while people are on school premises. It must also be available when staff and pupils are working elsewhere on school activities including any off site visits such as educational visits.The regulations require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel based on a first aid needs assessment. This does not apply to work placements as work experience students are employed by the placement provider. 

Sheffield Girls has  systems in place to ensure we are aware of any medical conditions which may require treatment whilst the pupil is in the care of school staff. Initially this information is collected on the Pupil Health Assessment Form which parents complete as part of the admissions process. Parents are made aware of the requirement to notify school of any changes to their child's health and also information is requested annually to ensure that the information is regularly updated.

All schools must have documented systems and procedures in place to ensure that all medicines are stored and administered safely. All staff who are authorised to administer medicines will receive training on the procedures, essential precautions, possible side-effects of the medicine and the importance of making appropriate records and informing parents.

No child under 16 should be given any medicine without their parent’s written consent. Prescribed medicines should only be administered to an Early Years Foundation Stage pupil if it has been prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse prescriber or pharmacist prescriber and the parents have given specific written permission for each individual medicine and the reason why it is needed. The pupil’s parents must be informed, wherever possible on the same day, if any medicines are administered during the school day.

More guidance is given in the ‘Administration of Medicines’ protocol available in the Pupil Health and Wellbeing section on the H&S section of the Hub.

School Practice

Staff

All teachers and other staff are expected to use their best endeavours at all times, particularly in emergencies, to secure the welfare of pupils in 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 that those of not trying to assist in an emergency. Any member of school staff may be asked to undertake first aid tasks, but they cannot be required to do so. 

Examples of emergencies which require immediate first-aid assistance include:

• Severe allergic reactions
• Asthma attacks
• Epileptic fits
• Difficulty in breathing
• Fainting
• Hypoglycaemia in diabetics
• Bleeding
• Breaks or sprains
• Concussion

Senior School: The member of staff with responsibility for First Aid in the Senior School is the School Nurse, Heather Greaves (HG) who can be contacted on extension 25004 or in person in the nurse’s office in the Main School Building behind reception.

It is a part of HG's responsibility to administer first aid and to organise a pupil's transfer to hospital in the case of an emergency. If HG is not in school then help should be sought from Reception who will contact another qualified senior school first aider.

The Junior and Infant Schools meets the requirements for the EYFS. There are 14 members of staff trained in Paediatric First Aid, with an up to date qualification, and 21  members of staff with an emergency first aid qualification. First aid qualifications are monitored and training arranged as appropriate.

The Senior School 72 staff qualified in emergency first aid, this includes 2 memberS of staff who are trained in outdoor first aid. There are 3 First Aid at Work trained staff.

A Risk Assessment determines the number of first aiders and their training requirements for the School. This will take into account before and after-school events, number of staff/students on the site, location of sites and any high risk areas and off-site activities.

The School invites staff to volunteer to become first aiders/emergency first aiders, and will provide the necessary training when appropriate.

From 1^st October 2009, a first aider:

• Must complete have completed a First Aid HSE approved course and hold a valid certificate of competence. The certificate is valid for 3 years and the School will organise refresher training before its expiry. First aiders are qualified to give immediate help to casualties with common injuries and illnesses and those arising from specific hazards in school. Those persons training staff in first aid must have appropriate qualifications.

All First Aiders are covered by the Trust's insurance against claims for negligence provided that they are suitably trained, are carrying out their duties for the Trust and act within the School's guidelines for the administration of first aid.

All schools will have systems and procedures in place to ensure that all medicines are stored and administered safely. The systems and procedures must be formally documented. All staff who are authorised to administer medicines will receive training on the procedures, essential precautions, possible side-effects of the medicine and the importance of making appropriate records and informing parents.

No child under 16 should be given any medicine without their parent’s written consent. Prescribed medicines should only be administered to an Early Years Foundation Stage pupil if it has been prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse prescriber or pharmacist prescriber and the parents have given specific written permission for each individual medicine and the reason why it is needed. The pupil’s parents must be informed, wherever possible on the same day, if any medicines are administered during the school day.

A list of qualified first aiders/Emergency First Aid people is available in the Senior School staff handbook and can be found in many locations around the Senior School, including:

• the medical room
• the staff room
• Reception
• the Science department
• the PE department

First Aid Accommodation

The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996 requires that schools have a suitable dedicated room for the care and treatment of pupils. It must contain a washbasin, be near a toilet and appropriate for its use as a first aid room. In the Senior School this is located near the main reception in the school nurses’ office, in the Main School Building. In junior school the medical room is on the ground floor next to the disabled toilet. In infants it is in on top floor of the Snowdrops Preschool building.

First Aid Materials and Equipment

A list of the location of emergency medicines (eg automatic adrenaline injectors / inhalers), defibrillators (AEDs) and first aid equipment, stored in containers marked with a white cross on a green background, should be maintained, and notices alerting people of their locations should be prominently displayed in appropriate areas. NB ensure travel first aid kits, kits in minibuses or school vehicles, mobile first aid kits carried by specific personnel, and first aid kits in outlying buildings, e.g. pavilions are included.

First aid containers marked with a white cross on a green background are sited in the following areas of the school:

First Aid equipment is available in the following locations in Senior School:

• Medical Room
• Science prep rooms (3)
• Sixth Form Staff room
• Kitchen/dining hall
• Art department office
• Studio 2
• Studio 4
• Home Economics
• PE office
• Drama studio/Gym
• Music School Staff Room

First Aid equipment is available in the following locations in Junior School:

• Medical Room
• After School Club
• Staff kitchen in number 4 

The HSE recommends that, where there is no specific risk identified, a minimum provision of first aid items would be:

• 1 Guidance card
• 20 Adhesive dressings (various sizes, individually wrapped)
• 6 safety pins
• 2 sterile eye pads
• 6 medium sterile dressings
• 2 large sterile dressings
• 1 pair clean scissors
• 3 pairs disposable gloves

At Senior School, staff are responsible for checking the boxes on a regular basis, informing the school nurse of any issues and requesting additional supplies when needed. Staff are asked to notify the Nurse when supplies have been used. The list of the locations of the boxes can also be found in the 'First Aid Policy for Staff which is found in the Staff Handbook. At Junior School Miss Murdoch liaises with the Nurse when the bags need to be restocked and Mrs Ollivent in Infant School does the same.

The member of staff responsible for the first aid kits in their department should notify the School Nurse when supplies have been used in order that they can be restocked without delay.

The School Nurse will make arrangements for the regular checking and re-stocking of all the first aid kits, and making appropriate records. Additional supplies are available from her if necessary.

All First Aiders should be aware of and implement the guidance on infection control which can be found in the 'Pupil Health and Wellbeing' section on the H&S section of the Hub.

A first aid box is kept in the school minibus and is available for use on trips and outings. It is good practice to have a box available at sporting/outdoor events and those taking trips should obtain a first aid kit from the School Nurse prior to departure.

In addition, for Junior and Infant School trips and excursions, bum bag first aid kits are used and contain:

• Disposable gloves
• medical wipes
• Various adhesive dressings
• 2 x conforming bandages 
•  2 x crepe bandages
• 1 x triangular bandages 
•  1 x small eyewash & eye pad

These are kept in the Medical room in Juniors and in the office in Infants, and are taken out on excursions. If the group is split into smaller units during the excursion more than one bag will be taken so that each adult in charge of a group will carry a bag. It is the responsibility of the teacher in charge of the bag to ensure that it is fully equipped before taking it out. Bags are checked regularly.

All first-aiders are aware of the guidance "Cleaning Up body fluid spills" (attached) and should implement the guidance on infection control where appropriate.

Travelling first aid containers

Before undertaking any off-site activities or educational visits, the visit leader should assess what level of first aid provision is needed and identify any additional items that may be necessary for specialised activities. The Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP) provides advice on outdoor learning and off-site visits, including the assessment of first aid requirements.

HSE recommends that the minimum travelling first aid kit should be:

• a leaflet giving general advice on first aid – HSE information is available
• 6 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings
• 1 large sterile unmedicated dressing
• 2 triangular bandages individually wrapped and preferably sterile
• 2 safety pins
• individually wrapped moist cleansing wipes
• 2 pairs of disposable gloves
• 10 antiseptic wipes, foil packed
• 1 conforming disposable bandage (not less than 7.5 cm wide)
• 2 triangular bandages
• 1 packet of 24 assorted adhesive dressings
• 3 large sterile unmedicated ambulance dressings (not less than 15.0 cm × 20.0 cm)
• 2 sterile eye pads, with attachments
• 12 assorted safety pins
• 1 pair of rustless blunt-ended scissors

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (for minibuses) and/or the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment, Use and Certification) Regulations 1981 (for larger vehicles) advise that a suitable, clearly marked first aid box should be readily available and in good condition. Further information, including advice on what the kit should contain, is available.

The following items must be kept in the first aid box:

• 10 antiseptic wipes, foil packed
• 1 conforming disposable bandage (not less than 7.5 cm wide)
• 2 triangular bandages
• 1 packet of 24 assorted adhesive dressings
• 3 large sterile unmedicated ambulance dressings (not less than 15.0 cm × 20.0 cm)
• 2 sterile eye pads, with attachments
• 12 assorted safety pins
• 1 pair of rustless blunt-ended scissors

Automated external defibrillators

Sheffield High School has two AED (Automated external defibrillators), one in the Junior School Reception and in senior school in the Medical Room. Training is provided as part of the first aid courses staff undertake as part of their first aid training.

Recording and Reporting

It is strongly recommended that schools and colleges keep a record of all incidents involving staff, pupils, students and visitors, which require first aid staff to be in attendance. This will help identify trends in accidents and areas for improvement as well as when to review first aid needs assessments.

The record should be readily accessible, and details recorded should include:

• date, time and place of incident
• name of injured or ill person
• details of the injury or illness
• details of what first aid was given
• what happened immediately after the incident (for example, went home, went back to class, went to hospital)
• name and signature of first aider or person dealing with the incident
• the death of the person, and arose out of or in connection with a work activity, or
• an injury that arose out of or in connection with a work activity and the person is taken directly from the scene of the accident to hospital for treatment (examinations and diagnostic tests do not constitute treatment)
• a failure in the way a work activity was organised (for example inadequate supervision of a field trip)
• the way equipment or substances were used (for example lifts, machinery, experiments)
• the condition of the premises (for example poorly maintained or slippery floors)

This record is not the same as the statutory accident book although schools and colleges can choose to combine them. HSE publishes an accident book (BL510) that employers may purchase and use to record all incidents including those required under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). All reportable incidents should be notified by a specified responsible person.

Employers have specific statutory responsibilities in respect of recording and reporting incidents involving their employees under RIDDOR.

HSE should be notified of fatal and major injuries, and dangerous occurrences without delay. See the HSE RIDDOR advice for more details.

Injuries to anyone who has been involved in an accident at the school or college, or on an activity organised by the school or college, are only reportable under RIDDOR if the accident results in:

The responsible person should consider whether the incident was caused by:

If there is any doubt as to whether or not to report an incident schools and colleges can consult the HSE general RIDDOR guidance

Insurance

Where first aid provision is intended to cover both employees and non-employees, employers should check they have adequate insurance or that their risk protection arrangement (RPA) membership as an alternative to commercial insurance covers all the activities of first aiders.

Employers should determine and ensure that the appropriate level of insurance and risk cover is in place

Procedures in the Event of an Emergency (08/23)

Examples of emergencies which require immediate first-aid assistance include:

• Cardiac arrest / severe chest pain
• Stroke
• Severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
• Asthma attacks
• Difficulty in breathing / choking
• Seizures
• Fainting / collapse
• Diabetic emergency, eg hypoglycaemia
• Severe bleeding
• Severe burns
• Breaks or sprains
• Head injury and concussion
• Effects of severe self-harm
• Hypothermia / heat exhaustion
• H&S Hub - Health & Safety - ‘First Aid’
• H&S Hub - Health & Safety - ‘Accident Recording and Reporting’
• H&S Hub - Health & Safety – ‘Pupil Health and Wellbeing’
• First Aid in Schools, Early Years and Further Education – DfE - 2022
• Approved Code of Practice and Guidance to the H&S (First Aid) Regulations – L74 – HSE - 3^rd edition 2013 + 2018 amendments

Schools should ensure that all staff and pupils are aware of the procedures to take in the event of a first aid emergency, e.g. by including advice along the lines below in staff and pupil handbooks:

Inform a member of staff and ask for immediate first aid assistance

If you witness an incident and the injured person is well enough to walk, take them to the medical room. If the School Nurse is not there send a message to Reception to ask them to contact a First Aider. Do not leave the person unattended.

If you witness an incident and the injured person does not seem able to move, do not try to move them; stay with them and ask for immediate help from a First Aider.

If a First Aider is not available, or the situation requires urgent medical assistance, do not hesitate to call an ambulance by dialling 999 from any mobile or land-line telephone.

Further information on the action to take in the event of anaphylaxis, asthma attacks, seizures and hypoglycaemia/hyperglycaemia can be found in the ‘Chronic / Long term Illness’ and ‘Allergies’ Protocols, available in section 4 of the 'Pupil Health and Wellbeing' section of on the H&S section of the Hub.

7. Procedures for Pupils who are Unwell (08/23)

All schools will have systems and procedures in place to respond to pupils who are ill and / or infectious in order to prevent the spread of infection. They will ensure that parents and pupils are aware of the procedures to follow if a pupil is not well enough to attend school, or if they become ill at school and need to be taken home. Schools should also discuss the procedures for caring for unwell or infectious Early Years Foundation Stage pupils with their parents.

Parents and pupils should be made aware of the times when they can seek help or advice from the School Nurse for non-emergency situations, e.g. headaches, or to discuss any concerns.

Further information on infection control can be found in section 6 of the 'Pupil Health and Wellbeing' section of H&S section of the Hub and in the GDST Common Childhood Ailments Protocol.

8. Further Information and Guidance (02/22)

• H&S Hub - Health & Safety - ‘First Aid’
• H&S Hub - Health & Safety - ‘Accident Recording and Reporting’
• H&S Hub - Health & Safety – ‘Pupil Health and Wellbeing’
• First Aid in Schools, Early Years and Further Education – DfE - 2022
• Approved Code of Practice and Guidance to the H&S (First Aid) Regulations – L74 – HSE - 3^rd edition 2013 + 2018 amendments

Mental health

Schools and colleges are encouraged to identify a senior mental health lead. At SHS this is role undertaken by Mrs Reed, Head of Pastoral Care and Mrs Farrow, Head of Wellbeing. Their roles  include having strategic oversight of the whole school  approach to mental health and wellbeing in conjunction with the leadership team and the pastoral staff. They will support their school   to make the best use of existing resources and effort to help improve the wellbeing and mental health of pupils, students and staff.

DfE has published guidance to help schools identify whether a child or young person’s behaviour may be related to an underlying mental health problem, and how to support them in these circumstances. Further details can be found in the Mental health and behaviour in schools guidance.

Following an employer’s first aid needs assessment, a school  might decide that it will be beneficial to have personnel trained to identify and understand symptoms and be able to support pupils, students and staff who might be experiencing a mental health issue. Education staff are well placed to observe children day-to-day and identify those whose behaviour suggests that they may be experiencing a mental health problem or be at risk of developing one but only appropriately trained professionals should attempt to make a diagnosis of a mental health condition. At SHS several members of staff have been trained in Mental Health First Aid, LD, AR, HG, EC, SFa and a junior school member of staff LR.

Consideration should be given to ways to manage mental ill health in the workplace. This could include providing information or training for managers and employees, employing occupational health professionals, appointing mental health trained first aiders and implementing support programmes.

First aid training courses covering mental health can teach staff how to recognise warning signs of mental ill health and help them to develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone, while keeping themselves safe.

There is a wide range of training providers offering mental health awareness or first aid training and details of available training that best meets the needs of your organisation can be found by conducting a simple internet search.

HSE also provides further information on mental health conditions, work and the workplace. The Education Support charity provides free 24 hours a day telephone counselling to all serving and retired education staff in need on mental health support.

School and college staff are not mental health professionals. Where pupils and students experience more serious mental health problems, schools should expect them and their families to be able to access support from sources which include professionals working in specialist Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS), voluntary organisations and local GP practices.

Administering medicine and medicine administration in school.

First aid at work does not include giving tablets or medicines. The only exception is when aspirin is used as first aid to a casualty with a suspected heart attack for those over 16. Never give aspirin to a child younger than 16, unless it has been prescribed by a doctor.

Medication should not be kept in a first aid container.

Whilst some pupils will have long-term and complex medical conditions or carry their own medication (for example, an inhaler for asthma or adrenaline for intramuscular use in anaphylaxis) the only role for a first aider is generally, limited (where appropriate) to helping pupils who need to take their own medication to do so.

Some pupils may need to have access to life saving prescription drugs in an emergency, the details will be recorded in the pupil’s individual healthcare plan and identified staff members will be aware of what to do.

The administration of prescription only medication specified in Schedule 19 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 should only be given by those trained to do so. However, where a first aid needs assessment identifies that Schedule 19 medication may be required to be administered in an emergency, the employer may want to consider providing first aiders with additional training so that they can be aware of the symptoms and condition and administer lifesaving medication in an emergency situation.

Any member of school staff may be asked to provide support to pupils with administering of medicines, but they cannot be required to do so.

Read the statutory guidance on supporting pupils at schools with medical conditions for more information.

A parent who wishes their child to have medication in School (e.g. antibiotics), should complete the 'Request for School to administer medication' form, which is available from the School Nurse or Junior and Infant School Receptions and also available on Firefly.

Pupils who have food allergies have their photograph displayed in the staff room and the kitchen. In Senior School, pupils with specific conditions carry their own Auto Adrenaline Injectors(AAI)/inhalers (when prescribed), and there is also a 'named spare' in the Medical room. 'Named spare inhalers' are also kept in the Medical room in case an asthmatic girl were to forget her inhaler. Parents are responsible for providing and replacing these when they have expired.

In Junior School, medications such as inhalers and AAI's are kept in the following locations:

• Medical Room in an unlocked upper cupboard.

Every  pupil with some  medical conditions have a Healthcare Plan which contains the necessary information. The School Nurse keeps all these forms. Copies are available, in a labelled folder on Firefly in the Staff user area under Medical.

On admission to School, and annually thereafter, parents are asked to complete a consent form giving permission for their daughter to receive paracetamol and other over the counter medications from the School Nurse/appropriately trained first aider should the need arise. All medication and first aid treatment is documented and following the administration of medicine parents are notified by email.

All the lists of medical needs, and care plans are kept on Firefly in the medical area of the staff part.

In EYFS, medication should only be administered if the parents have given specific written permission for each medication and the reason why it is needed. The parents must be informed, wherever possible on the same day, if any medication has been administered. More guidance is available on H&S ORACLE.

Informing parents

Parents must be informed of any accident that takes place whilst their child is in our care. The School Nurse would do this or the First Aider dealing with the child.

If a girl is poorly and needs to be collected the School Nurse or designated first aider would contact a parent. A girl must not telephone her parent herself. The girl should wait in the medical room, or next to junior school and infant school offices if she has a potential, contagious infection.

If a pupil has had medicine administered during the school day, parents are to be notified.

Early years

Introduction

Early years education providers, including schools, must meet the paediatric first aid requirements set out in the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage (EYFS). This includes arrangements for off-site activities involving young children such as educational visits.

The EYFS requires that at least one person who has a current paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate should be on the premises and available at all times when children are present and should accompany children on outings. The certificate must be for a full course consistent with the criteria set out in annex A in the EYFS.

All staff who obtained a level 2 or level 3 qualification on or after 30 June 2016 must also have either a full PFA or an emergency PFA certificate within 3 months of starting work in order to be included in the required staff to child ratios at level 2 or level 3 in an early years setting.

Any member of staff or any assistant who might be in sole charge of the children for any period, should hold a current paediatric first aid certificate.

Paediatric first aid training must be renewed every 3 years and should be relevant for workers caring for young children and where relevant, babies. Employers should take into account, via their first aid needs assessment, the number of children, staff and layout of premises to ensure that a paediatric first aider is able to respond to emergencies quickly.

Training

Employers are responsible for identifying and selecting a competent training provider to deliver their PFA training.

Training is available from a wide range of providers including:

• those who offer regulated qualifications
• voluntary aid societies (St John Ambulance, the British Red Cross and St Andrew’s First Aid, who together are acknowledged by HSE as one of the standard-setters for currently accepted first aid practice for first aid at work training courses)
• those who operate under voluntary accreditation schemes
• one that is a member of a trade body with an approval and monitoring scheme
• those who operate independently of any such accreditation scheme

The register of regulated qualifications may help providers to identify paediatric first aid providers. It may also be helpful to refer to HSE’s guidance about choosing a first aid training provider.

Equipment

Providers should ensure there is always a first aid box accessible with appropriate content for use with children.

Recording and reporting

In addition to any statutory reporting requirements employers should keep a written record of accidents or injuries and first aid treatment. Employers should inform parents or carers of any accident or injury sustained by the child on the same day, or as soon as reasonably practicable, of any first aid treatment given. At SHS all accidents, injuries or first aid treatment is recorded on the CPOMS database where any medication prescribed or PRN is also recorded with an email or phone call to parent as well as a verbal handover when parents or carers collec the child.

Registered providers should notify Ofsted  of any serious accident, illness or injury to, or death of, any child while in their care, and of the action taken. Notification should be made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but in any event within 14 days of the incident occurring. A registered provider, who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this requirement, commits an offence.

Employers should notify local child protection agencies of any serious accident or injury to, or the death of, any child while in their care, and should act on any advice from those agencies.

Procedures In The Event Of an Emergency

All accidents must be reported and recorded promptly.

Examples of emergencies which require immediate first-aid assistance include:

• Severe allergic reactions
• Asthma attacks
• Epileptic fits
• Difficulty in breathing
• Fainting
• Hypoglycaemia in diabetics
• Bleeding
• Breaks or sprains
• Concussion

Schools should ensure that all staff and pupils are aware of the procedures to take in the event of a first aid emergency, e.g. by including advice along the lines below in staff and pupil handbooks:

If a member of staff or pupil witnesses an accident and the girl is able to walk she should be accompanied to the medical room if School Nurse (senior school) or Miss Murdoch (junior school)  is not there send a message to Main School office 25000 who will contact a first aider. Do not leave the girl unattended. In Infant School the child should be accompanied to the main school office.

If a member of staff or pupil witnesses an accident and the  pupil does not seem able to move do not try to help them to do so but send another pupil to Reception for help. 

Staff are advised that if the situation requires urgent medical assistance do not hesitate to call an ambulance by calling 999/112 on any mobile or landline telephone.

See SHS Accident/Incident Procedure attached.

Hygiene Procedures for dealing with spillages of body fluids: (full information follows later in this section)

Staff should ensure that any spillages are dealt with quickly and safely. Spillages should be disinfected properly and the surface on which the spillage occurs should be taken into account e.g. carpet/hard surface. The area should be quickly blocked off. Protective clothing e.g. gloves should be worn. All materials used to clear the area must be disinfected or destroyed.

See spillage of bodily fluids procedure attached.

Dealing with particular Medical Conditions:

Staff have access to information (and photographs) about girls with known medical conditions, available in the staff room and kitchen notice boards. Staff are expected to familiarise themselves with this by reading the SIMS record, medical portion on each pupil. 

Special measures should be taken to cover outside and off site activities.

Asthma

Senior school pupils may carry one inhaler with them at all times and keep a 'spare' in the medical room. It is the responsibility of each pupil to take their own inhaler to all PE sessions and on all school trips/visits.

Junior School teachers should ensure that inhalers and other emergency mediation are taken on all school trips/visits

In Junior School, inhalers are kept in the following locations:

• Medical room

As a first-aider, your aims during an asthma attack are to ease the breathing and if necessary get medical help.

See the asthma management plan attached.

Allergic reaction/Anaphylaxis

Senior school pupils with specific allergies should carry an epi-pen with them at all times, if one has been prescribed. There should be a named spare in the Medical Room.

Infant and Junior School teachers should ensure that inhalers and other emergency mediation are taken on all school trips/visits

In Junior School, epi-pens are kept in the following locations:

• Medical Room

See allergic reaction management plan attached.

Epilepsy

In the event of a seizure, staff should

Do...

• Protect the person from injury - (remove harmful objects from nearby)
• Cushion their head
• Look for an epilepsy identity card or identity jewellery
• Aid breathing by gently placing them in the recovery position once the seizure has finished
• Be calmly reassuring
• Stay with the person until recovery is complete
• Time the seizure
• Seek help from the school nurse/first aider
• Dial 999 if the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes.

Don't...

• Restrain the person
• Put anything in the person's mouth
• Try to move the person unless they are in danger
• Give the person anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
• Attempt to bring them round

Diabetes

• All diabetic pupils have named 'snack' boxes kept in the Medical Room in case of hypoglycaemia. Please inform School Nurse/First Aider on duty if these are required. Pupils may appear pale; complain of a headache, tingling lips, hunger or blurred vision.
• Diabetic pupils are not to waste their energy seeking a first aider; Staff must send another pupil whilst the diabetic pupil takes  glucose tablets in class.
• If pupils are hyperglycaemic, they are to be allowed to go to the toilet during lessons and get a drink if this is necessary. They may state that they are thirsty, appear flushed, ask to go to the toilet frequently and may have a noticeable odour of acetone (pear drops) about them.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes:

Hypoglycaemia:

• Hunger
• Feeling 'weak' and confused
• Sweating
• Dry, pale skin
• Shallow breathing

Hyperglycaemia:

• Thirst
• Vomiting
• Fruity/sweet breath
• Rapid, weak pulse

First aid aims with diabetes:

Hypoglycaemia:

• Raise blood sugar level as quickly as possible
• Get casualty to hospital, if necessary

Hyperglycaemia:

• Get casualty to hospital as soon as possible

Actions with diabetes:

Hypoglycaemia:

• Sit casualty down
• Offer casualty food or a sweet drink
• If there's an improvement, offer more to eat or drink
• Keep casualty resting

Hyperglycaemia:

• Call 999 immediately

Further actions with diabetes:

If the casualty loses consciousness

• Open airway and check breathing
• Place them in recovery position
• Prepare to give resuscitation

(Please see ORACLE for full guidance on first aid.)

ASTHMA MANAGEMENT PLAN

GREEN ZONE

Asthma under control

Breathing feels good

No cough or wheeze

Can take part in normal activities and sports

ACTION IF NECESSARY

IF WHEEZING, AND NO IMPROVEMENT FROM RELIEVER INHALER (BLUE) MOVE TO AMBER ZONE

Take 2-4 puffs of reliever inhaler as required, if cold symptoms present or before exercise

AMBER ZONE – MILD ASTHMA ATTACK

Cough, wheeze or tight chest

Can talk in sentences

Not distressed

ACTION

GIVE 4 TO 6 PUFFS OF RELIEVER INHALER (BLUE) VIA A SPACER, ONE PUFF AT A TIME, SHAKE THE INHALER BETWEEN PUFFS

Reassure and stay with the child

Call for help from School Nurse or First Aider

Help child to sit up or lean forward

Loosen tight clothing

Inform the parent/guardian

IF NO IMPROVEMENT contact parent to collect child and parent to take them to GP

IF CONDITION WORSENS MOVE TO RED ZONE

RED ZONE – SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACK

Breathing hard and fast

Can’t talk in sentences

Distressed

Becoming exhausted

Pale/grey/blue in colour

Feel frightened

ACTION

DIAL 999 FOR AN AMBULANCE

GIVE ONE PUFF OF RELIEVER INHALER (BLUE) EVERY 30 SECONDS (VIA SPACER), ENCOURAGE 4 BREATHS THROUGH SPACER, SHAKE THE INHALER BETWEEN PUFFS

If the child does not have a spacer, encourage them to hold their breath after each puff of inhaler

Call for help from School Nurse or First Aider

Contact parent/guardian

DO NOT move the child or make them lie back

Reassure and stay with the child

Loosen tight clothing

Keep calm

ALLERGIC REACTION/ANAPHYLAXIS MANAGEMENT PLAN

GREEN ZONE – MILD REACTION

Nettle type rash (urticaria or hives). Red, itchy, raised in nature

Swelling of the lips, eyes, other parts of face or body (angioedema)

Tingling of the lips, throat, tongue or throat

General redness and warmth

ACTION

Antihistamine - Cetirizine or Loratidine

Contact parents

Stay with the child until improved

AMBER ZONE – MODERATE REACTION

GUT REACTIONS –

Vomiting

Tummy ache

Diarrhoea

CHEST REACTIONS –

Sneezing and/or coughing

 Throat tightness/Lump at the back of the throat

Mild wheezing

Hayfever type symptoms

ACTION

Call for help from Nurse/First aider

Give antihistamine medication straight away –Cetirizine or Loratidine

Repeat Dose if required

If child has a mild wheeze and has an inhaler (or has severe asthma and not wheezing) also give 6-10 puffs of Salbutamol (blue inhaler)

Observe for development of Anaphylaxis

Contact parents

Stay with the child

Call for help from Nurse/First aider

Give antihistamine medication straight away –Cetirizine or Loratidine

Repeat Dose if required

If child has a mild wheeze and has an inhaler (or has severe asthma and not wheezing) also give 6-10 puffs of Salbutamol (blue inhaler)

Observe for development of Anaphylaxis

Contact parents

Stay with the child

SEVERE – ANAPHYLAXIS

Can occur with or without the mild or moderate symptoms

Difficulty in swallowing or speaking

Gasping or choking

Severe wheeze or chest tightness

Dizziness/undue sleepiness/collapse

ACTION

Give Epi-pen (if prescribed) into upper outer thigh, following the instructions carefully

Dial 999

Contact parents

Stay with the child

Remember in all cases:

Keep Calm

Stay with the child

Lay child flat

Repeat dose of antihistamine after 20-30 minutes if skin symptoms are persisting

Inform parents and ask them to be with the child

Ensure the child rests under supervision for at least one hour after the reaction has resolved to ensure no further symptoms

First aid information for Senior School Staff

If you are injured or become ill while in School, or if a colleague, pupil or visitor in School is injured or becomes ill, please locate the closest first aid trained member of staff. For further assistance place contact:-

Miss Heather Greaves (School Nurse) in Main School, Extension 25004

If Miss Greaves is unavailable, please report to reception and request a first aid trained member of staff is contacted.

First Aid Information for Junior School Staff.

In the event of an emergency – Please dial 999. Give the pupil’s name and age. The postcode for Melbourne House is S10 2QH. State to access junior school, use the entrance off Melbourne Road, and then please phone the pupil’s Parent/ Guardian, and Senior School.

If you are injured or become ill while in school, or if a colleague, pupil or visitor in school is injured or becomes ill, you must report immediately to:-

Miss H Greaves 25004, Miss C Murdoch 25039 (or her nominated deputy in her absence)

The official list of first aiders: Last updated November 2023

Infant & Junior School

Senior School