Co-op Academy Failsworth

First Aid Policy

Issue 1 :October 2021

Purpose of Policy

The H & S (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide trained persons, equipment etc., to deal with First Aid emergencies. This policy outlines Coop Academy Failsworth’s responsibility to provide adequate and appropriate First Aid to students, staff, parents and carers and visitors and the procedures in place to meet that responsibility. This document should be read in conjunction with the H & S Policy and Medical Treatment Policy.

This 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 Coop Academy Failsworth. The requirement 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’s Guidance on First Aid for Schools and is reviewed annually.

Aims

• To identity the First Aid needs of the academy in line with the Management of H & S at Work Regulations 1999
• To Ensure the First Aid provision is available at all times while people are on academy premises, and also off the premises whilst on academy business

Objectives

• To appoint the appropriate number of suitable trained people as Appointed First Aiders to meet the needs of the academy
• To provide relevant training to ensure monitoring of resources and facilities
• To inform staff and parents of the academies First Aid arrangements
• To keep accident records and to report to the HSE as required under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995)

Personnel

The Head of the Academy

The Head of the Academy is responsible for the H & S of their employees and anyone else on the premises including staff, pupils and visitors (including contractors).

They must ensure that a risk assessment of the academy is undertaken and that appointment, training and resources for First Aid arrangements are appropriate and in place.

They should ensure that the insurance arrangement 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 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 Head should ensure that the policy and information on the academy’s arrangement for First Aid are made available to parents and carers

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

First Aiders and Appointed Persons

Definitions

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

First Aid means:

• Cases where a person needs 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.

Identification of Suitable Employees

In selecting First Aiders the Head should consider the person’s:

• Reliable and communication skills
• Aptitude and ability to absorb 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 Head must ensure that the 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.

Roles and Responsibilities of First Aiders:

• Takes charge when someone is ill or injured
• Looks after First Aid equipment e.g. restocking First Aid supplies
• Ensure an ambulance or other professional medical help is summoned when appropriate. Admin should be contacted immediately

Emergency First Aid training is also given to members of staff to cope with an emergency

First Aider responsibilities include:

• Attending and initial approved training course approved by the HSE
• Ensuring their own recommended immunisations/injections are up to date
• Reporting any illness or injury to the H & S Officer of the academy
• Attend three yearly refresher courses before the expiry date of their previous accreditation

First Aiders should be provided where a person will need further medical treatment until such time help arrives or for 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

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 medication or nursing help becomes available. It is NOT to give treatment.

Any staff who discover a serious injury or illness will make contact with Admin/Healthcare Administrator and take charge until they arrive

In the result of emergency services being needed the Healthcare Administrator needs to be contacted by radio (which is always carried and switched on) so that deployment of staff can be made to assist them to the casualty

The first Aider will decide on whether the ill or injured party will be moved or remain undisturbed and may take appropriate action, depending on the assessment of the situation

In the case of a serious incident all available staff will seek to ensure the 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 the designated First Aider with a current valid First Aid at Work Certificate
• The relevant PPE is used
• The First Aider is adhering to protocols and acting within the limitations of their training

Use of Epi-Pens

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 under the academy insurance providing that:

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

Risk Assessment/PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans)

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

The Head will review the First Aid needs following any changes to staff, building/site activities, off site facilities etc.

The H & S Officer monitors the number of trained First Aiders, alerts them to the need for refresher courses and organised training

Risk Assessments and PEEPs are completed for pupils and staff as appropriate so their needs can be assessed and emergency evacuation is covered.

Providing Information

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

• The head reviews the academy First Aid needs following any changes to staff, building/site activities, off site facilities etc.
• Health & Safety Officer monitors the number of trained First Aiders, alerts them to the need for refresher courses

The Head will inform all staff (including those with reading and language difficulties) of First Aid arrangements, including the location of the medical room, equipment and First Aid Personnel and the procedures for monitoring and reviewing the academy’s First Aid needs

• Human Resources provides information packs for new staff as part of their induction
• Includes staff information on the location of the medical room, equipment and facilities
• We currently have 16 Trained First Aiders in the academy

Control of Infections

• A medical isolation room is available on site
• Please see Covid Risk Assessment for further details