First Aid Policy

Policy details

• Date created - 01/07/2024
• Date approved - 01/07/2024
• Next review date - 01/07/2025
• Policy owner - Shirley Carrigan and Paul Atkins

First aid must be provided to any person that we owe a duty of care to if they are injured or become ill whilst on our premises or involved in an off-site activity which we are leading. There must be sufficient suitably qualified first aiders and adequate first aid facilities to ensure that assistance will be provided quickly to casualties and a call made to the emergency services when appropriate.

Contractors who work on site must provide their own first aid arrangements.

To ensure that the arrangements are appropriate for a specific establishment, the Academy Business Manager must undertake a first aid risk assessment. This risk assessment should be reviewed if there is any significant change at the academy, and at a nominal yearly interval. A Checklist and Risk Assessment Form has been provided in the attachments.

Our trained first aiders and Academy Business Manager are allocated the duty of day-to-day management of first aid within the establishment. This will include:

• ensuring that first aid supplies are replenished, kept in date and correctly stored; paperwork – draw up individual Health Care Plans, liaising with parents and medical professionals as needed.

Qualifications and training

All first aiders must hold an appropriate first aid certificate that has been obtained through attendance on a training course run by an approved organisation. All first aid training must be refreshed every three years to ensure that staff stay abreast of any changes to regulations.

A log of staff training is kept and reviewed to ensure that training is current and in date. Specialist staff training is provided to support the administration of emergency medications such as Epi-pens or insulin if it is identified during the development of an individual healthcare plan that this is needed. Staff will receive support from medical professionals until they are trained to deal with the medical need. A register of staff who have undertaken the relevant training is kept. Only staff who have received this training should administer such medication.

First Aid at Work (For Adults) - One member of staff must attend this 3-day course in first aid delivered by a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) approved training provider. Certificates are valid for 3 years and the qualification can be maintained by attending a 2-day FAW renewal course. Renewal courses must be completed within 28 days of expiry of the previous certificate. This qualification is to ensure Co-op Academy Grove as an employer is well placed to manage the wellbeing of staff, contractors and visitors to the academy.

All staff that administer emergency first aid:

Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) - A 1-day course in first aid delivered by an HSE approved training organisation or a training organisation that have gained accreditation from one of the awarding bodies offering accreditation that are listed on the HSE website. Certificates are valid for 3 years.

Early Years Team (Applicable to our Before and After School Club)

Paediatric or Early Years First Aid (EYFA) - Educational establishments with children under 5 must also meet the first aid requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework. A 2-day course specialising in first aid for children aged up to 5 years. This qualification is required in addition to the standard first aid qualifications in any establishment where staff will have a duty of care for children up to the age of 5 years. Certificates are valid for 3 years.

There will be a paediatric first aider on the academy site at all times when EYFS children are in attendance.

There will be a paediatric first aider on any off-site visits undertaken by EYFS pupils.

How many first aiders?

The number of qualified first aiders necessary for an educational establishment will depend upon the size and layout of the premises, the number of people it accommodates and the nature of the activities carried out.

There will be a sufficient number of first aiders strategically located to ensure that first aid treatment will be provided quickly in an emergency. The number is sufficient to ensure provision will be maintained during both planned and unplanned absences such as leave and sickness, and to accommodate off-site activities such as educational visits and sporting fixtures. First aid duties are shared between qualified staff provided the appropriate level of provision is maintained.

Contacting first aiders

The Senior Leadership Team will ensure that everybody on the premises knows how to summon a first aider in an emergency. Notices are displayed in conspicuous places and the procedure is included in staff and volunteer induction training and pupil safety briefings.

Appropriate practice

Our first aiders are responsible for assessing injuries or ill health and using their training to decide upon the most appropriate response. This can involve treating the casualty if the injury is within the scope of their training, referring them to hospital for assessment or further treatment, or calling the emergency services for urgent help.

When the first aider is in any doubt whether a casualty requires professional medical assistance, he or she should call 999 or phone NHS 111. Urgent treatment should not be delayed in order to consult with parents or carers. 

Head bumps

Children often bump their heads without further consequences but parents will be informed about head bumps so that they can look out for signs that the injury could be more serious.

If a pupil has a visible wound, swelling or adverse reaction, parents will be informed and are invited to assess their child personally. Where there are no residual effects, the pupil can remain in the academy whilst being observed by all supervising/responsible staff.

An accident form should always be completed to inform parents about any head bumps, and the first aiders should advise parents further signs to look out for. Staff will also ensure additional supervision is in place for children that remain in school following a minor head bump. If any of these signs become apparent while the child is still at school, staff will contact parents to advise them to see a GP or attend an Accident and Emergency department immediately.

Calling the emergency services

First aiders will not delay calling 999 - we will always let the emergency services decide the appropriate course of action based on the information that we give them.

Pupils with medical conditions / Care Plans

All first aiders are to be informed if a pupil with a medical condition is likely to need special emergency treatment. Pupil health care plans must be available to first aiders, and a copy should be provided to any medical practitioner providing emergency medical care.

Parents have a duty and responsibility to notify the academy if their child has any allergies and share medical documentation regarding any diagnosis and/or treatment.  Information will be shared with all staff within the academy to ensure that the child does not come into contact with any triggers. First aiders also notify the kitchen of any pupils with specific food allergies.

Hygiene, infection control and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The majority of staff in education settings will not require PPE beyond what they would normally wear for work. First aiders should always follow their training and maintain good standards of infection control which in some cases may include the use of PPE. Always thoroughly wash our hands before and after treating anyone with first aid. Whenever small amounts of body fluids have to be cleaned up, disposable plastic gloves and an apron should be worn alongside disposable paper towels and a disinfectant solution should be used to absorb and clean surfaces. These items are disposed of in yellow plastic hazardous waste bags, tied up and placed directly into external waste bins with other inert waste. Bodily Fluids Clean-Up Boxes are available in the First Aid Room and kept in the Cleaners Cupboards for cleaning of larger volumes of bodily fluids and plastic aprons should also be worn and disposed of correctly.

All members of staff supporting pupils with individual Educational, Health and Care Plans should refer to the pupil’s individual risk assessment which will state the PPE requirements which also involve the additional use of a face mask and visor/googles if there is a risk of inhalation of infection or a risk of fluids entering the eyes for example through spitting, coughing or vomiting.

Record keeping

All first aiders should ensure that a record is made of all first aid treatment they give. This must include:

• the date, time and place of the injury or illness occurring;
• the name of the injured or ill person and their status, such as employee, pupil, client, visitor;
• details of the injury or illness and what first aid was given;
• what happened to the person immediately afterwards, for example, sent home, sent to hospital, returned to normal duties; and
• the printed name of the first aider or person dealing with the casualty.

Records should be kept according to the following schedule:

• pupils - 3 years from the date of 18th birthday
• employees and others - 3 years from the date of the accident.

First aiders should record first aid provided to pupils separately from that provided to employees and others.

Adult accidents, near misses and first aid treatment should be recorded in the Accident File in the School Office. Office manager shall ensure that records are protected from unauthorised access.  

Any RIDDOR reportable accidents or serious near misses should be reported to members of the Senior Leadership Team ASAP and the appropriate steps taken.

Indemnity

Academy employees who hold a valid first aid qualification are indemnified by the Academy’s insurance against any claims for negligence or injury, provided they relate to first aid provided in the course of their employment and they acted in good faith and in accordance with their training. The indemnity is regardless of where and to whom the first aid was provided.

Guidance on first aid kit sizes for a Workplace environment

The size of the first aid kits to be used in a workplace is determined by the number of employees and the category of hazard incurred by the workplace environment; see Table 1 below:

Where there are special circumstances, such as remoteness from emergency medical services, there might need to be more first aid kits than set out in the Table 1 below.

Table 1: Guidance of first aid kit sizes for a workplace environment

First aid kits

The minimum provision for an educational establishment is at least one first aid kit for use on the premises and one or more kits to be taken on off-site visits. Kits should be immediately available when using the academy grounds.  At Co-op Academy Grove every classroom has its own basic first aid kit with central storage of additional first aid equipment, including ice packs located in the First Aid Room. There is a separate first aid kit located in the Kitchen and a member of the kitchen staff is trained in emergency first aid.

First aid kits must be stored in a robust container designed to protect the contents from damp and dust and marked with a white cross on a green background.

The contents of the first aid box are checked regularly to ensure there is adequate stock and to replenish out of date items.

All new first kits must conform to the British Standard (existing kits do not need to be replaced until new kits are required.)

This is what we recommend based on the British Standard:

• 1 list of first aid kit components included in kit
• 2 Pairs of Nitrile disposable gloves (Conforming to BS EN 455-1 and BS EN 455 -2, Large size (8-9)
• Selection of individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (water resistant, sterile, an island design and blue ones for food technology or kitchen areas);
• 2 sterile eye pad dressing with bandage
• 1 individually wrapped sterile triangular bandages
• 1 conforming bandage
• 3 safety pins
• 4 medium-sized individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings (approximately 12cm x 12cm)
• 1 large individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressings (approximately 18cm x 18cm)
• 1 foil blanket 130cm x 210 cm
• 1 mouth-to-mouth resuscitation device which includes a one-way valve
• 10 alcohol free moist cleansing wipes individually wrapped (sterile)
• 1 micro-porous adhesive tape
• 2 finger sterile dressing with adhesive fixing
• 1 burn relief dressing (kitchen only)
• Scissors
• Tweezers

We do not keep antiseptic creams, lotions, or any type of medication or drug in a first aid kit. 

The contents of a travelling first aid kit for off-site visits must be appropriate to the type and duration of visit, but should contain as a minimum:

• 1 leaflet giving general advice on first aid
• 1 contents list giving the first aid components in the kit
• 1 Pair of Nitrile disposable gloves (Conforming to BS EN 455-1 and BS EN 455 -2, Large size (8-9)
• 10 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (water resistant, sterile, an island design and blue ones for food technology or kitchen areas)
• 1 sterile eye pad dressing with bandage
• 1 individually wrapped sterile triangular bandage
• 1 conforming bandage
• 2 safety pins
• 1 medium-sized, individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressing (approximately 12cm x 12cm)
• 1 large, individually wrapped, sterile, unmedicated wound dressing (approximately 18cm x 18cm)
• 1 foil blanket 130cm x 210 cm
• 1 mouth-to-mouth resuscitation device which includes a one-way valve
• 4 alcohol-free, moist cleansing wipes individually wrapped (sterile)
• 1 micro-porous adhesive tape
• 1 burn relief dressing burn relief dressing
• Scissors
• 1 eye wash (250ml) - Laboratories can have different arrangements for eye irrigation; see the WSCC Health and Safety information for Science CD-ROM.

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs)

Whilst there is no specific requirement for schools to have an AED on site, Co-op Academy Grove has decided to invest in this additional piece of equipment. The AED is located in the bungalow area and all first aid staff are trained to use it.

The AED has both adult and child size pads and the battery tested by a nominated first aider every three months. There is also always a spare battery located onsite.

Medical accommodation

Co-op Academy Grove has a First Aid Room to care for children during school hours, and supplies suitable.

All rooms used for the administration of first aid and medical examinations must be well lit and also contain a washbasin and have a toilet reasonably nearby, and the floor and surfaces must be easy to clean and disinfect.

The First Aid Room is equipped with adequate first aid facilities and equipment. It as a minimum will contain:

• a sink with hot and cold running water;
• soap and paper towels;
• disposable gloves;
• drinking water and disposable cups;
• a range of first aid equipment (at least the contents of a standard first aid kit);
• Freezer and ice packs
• apparatus for the safe disposal of clinical waste such as a foot-operated refuse container lined with disposable yellow clinical waste bag;
• a sharps container if it is foreseeable that sharps will be used;
• a couch with waterproof protection & clean blankets;
• a chair;
• access to a telephone;
• a record book for recording the first aid given;
• a current copy of the first aid manual

Appendix A 

First Aid Checklist and Risk Assessment Form