POLICY STATEMENT
Policy
OFSTED Standard No
School Department
First Aid
Date Written
Written by
21st April 2017
K. Davies (RN), E. Daniels (RN, RSCN), S. Hoad (RNChild)
Giles Sutton
4th May 2017
01 September 2017
A copy of the policy can be found, in the school
admin office and on the school website.
This policy should be considered in conjunction with
other written policies on behaviour, health and
safety, medicines, school visits, child protection and
safeguarding.
Approved by
Date of Approval
Next major review date
Location and disseminations
The context of the policy and
its relationship to other
policies
NMS 3, Appendix 1.
BHS
The health and safety of all members of the school community and visitors to the school is of
utmost importance. This first aid policy is created with the aim of ensuring that all staff members,
visitors to the school, scholars and parents are aware that standard first aid procedures will be
followed in the event of any accident, injury, or acute illness.
This policy is created by the Nursing staff at Buckswood Health Service (BHS) and its
implementation is supported by the Senior Management Team with the assistance of the
Headmaster. The school expects all staff and scholars to be familiar with this policy, as with all
school policies.
Mr Giles Sutton (the ‘Headmaster’) holds the overall responsibility for ensuring that the school
has an up-to-date first aid policy, and effective first aid provision, personnel, and equipment are in
place. For the sake of clarity day-to-day responsibility for the first aid provisions is delegated to
the Nursing Staff based in Buckswood Health Service. The nursing staff will report to the
Headmaster on the effectiveness of the first aid provision, to ensure that the school continues to
provide first aid best practice so that incidents and accidents can be avoided as far as is reasonably
practicable.
First Aiders
In addition to the school nurses, the school has a number of staff trained in First Aid. First aiders
are members of staff who have completed a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) approved first aid
course and hold a valid certification of competence in First Aid at Work [FAW]/Emergency First
Aid at Work [EFAW]. First aiders receive updated training every 3 years and first aiders must
make sure that their certificates are kept up to date through liaison with the school nurse or the
Headmaster. A list of current school first aiders can be found in BHS, the Admin Building and online. There will be at least one first aider on the school site when children are present. First aiders
are required to give immediate first aid to staff, scholars and visitors to the school when it is
needed and ensure that emergency services are called when necessary. In an emergency situation
or in the case of a serious injury, parents will be informed as soon as is practicably possible. If a
scholar needs to be taken to hospital, a member of staff will accompany them unless their parent is
present.
Record Keeping
Parents must provide written consent for the administration of first aid by school staff to their
child before their child is admitted to the school.
Any first aider who has administered first aid should fill out an accident report form. These are
stored in BHS. Each page is used for a separate incident and stored securely in the school’s first
aid file according to the Data Protection Act 1998. The date, time and place, what happened,
actions taken, injuries and first aid administered should be recorded.
A designated member of SMT will review the first aid file to ensure that it is an effective method
of record keeping, and that all incidents are being recorded according to school policy.
Reporting to HSE
The school is legally required to report injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences (RIDDOR) to
the HSE. Where there is a death or major injury this should be reported by calling the Incident
Contact Centre (ICC) on 0845 300 9923 (opening hours Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm). All
other reportable injuries should be reported online [http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/report.htm]. It
is the responsibility of the Headmaster to report to the HSE when necessary. An investigation may
be launched by external authorities in the case of accidents or incidents that fall under RIDDOR.
Accident reports will be reviewed and witnesses may be interviewed. The Senior Management
Team may decide to conduct internal investigations into less serious incidents to ensure that
policy and procedure are being used correctly and effectively, and that future incidents of a
similar nature can be avoided.
First aid boxes
A first aid box is situated within each department. A record of the number and location of these
boxes can be found on-line. All first aid boxes will be regularly checked and stocks maintained by
BHS staff. It is the responsibility of all members of staff to inform BHS if stock has been used in
between checks.
For off-site activities, first aid boxes should be taken from the BHS and returned back after the
activity.
For school mini buses and coaches, there will be first aid boxes permanently kept on board and
will also be regularly checked by BHS staff. It is the responsibility of the driver to inform BHS staff
if any stock has been used.
First aid boxes can be used by any member of the school community in the first instance,
following the guidance below. Advice should then be sought from BHS or a trained first aider.
Administration of First Aid
The information below is for guidance only and is not intended to be used as a substitute for HSE
approved training in First Aid.
If unconscious and breathing:
 Place in the recovery position
 Ensure that the airway is clear and call for 1) an ambulance and 2) BHS when open
 Attend to any obvious bleeding points by applying pressure over a clean dry dressing from
the First Aid Box (or folded sling). Raise the bleeding part above heart level if possible.
 Keep warm, but do not overheat.
If unconscious and not breathing:
 Call 999
 Commence CPR
If conscious:
 Send for help/advice from BHS when open, and decide whether to send for an ambulance
in addition.
Ask the casualty the following questions:
 Where is the pain?
 Are you bleeding at all? (If so, place a clean, dry dressing from the First Aid Box over the
wound and apply pressure directly over the bleeding point)
 Can you move all your limbs? (Don’t attempt to move the casualty if he/she is unable to
move himself/herself).
 Have you got a pre-existing or current medical condition?
 Are you taking any medication regularly and if so what? When and what was the last dose?
 Are you allergic to anything?
 How did the accident happen? (It’s important to establish whether the casualty can
remember, especially if a head injury is suspected).
If possible, move the casualty to a warm safe place. Decide whether the casualty needs to be seen
by the BHS staff, either where they are or whether they are well enough to be taken to BHS.
For less urgent matters:
What are the symptoms and how long have they been present? Are they getting worse?
Ask the casualty whether he/she has taken medication recently.
Ask if he/she has any idea as to why they feel unwell.
Treatments:
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Muscle strains/bruising – apply ice pack for 15 mins. Minimum. Repeat 2-3 hourly as
necessary.
Minor cuts/bleeding – apply pressure until bleeding stops then apply dry dressing/plaster.
Head or neck injuries - should be referred to BHS for assessment as soon as possible.
Dizziness/feeling faint – lie casualty down in a quiet well ventilated area until he/she is
feeling better. Elevate the legs on a cushion.
Severe abdominal pain – refer to BHS or A&E.
Nosebleeds – Ask the casualty to sit upright, pinch the soft part of the nose just below the
bridge. Release briefly every 2 mins. Refer to BHS if the bleeding continues longer than
10mins. or is particularly profuse. If BHS is not available, refer to A&E if bleeding hasn’t
stopped after 20mins.
Scalds/Burns – immediately hold under cold running water for at least 10mins. If the skin is
broken, cover with a sterile dressing and send to BHS/A&E. Do not pop blisters or apply
cream/ointment.
Electric shock – switch off appliance before touching the casualty. Send for an ambulance
immediately. Place casualty in the recovery position and ensure their airway is clear.
Commence CPR if they are not breathing.
Choking – if necessary and able, ask the casualty to remove any visible material from their
mouth then bend the casualty forward and give 5 hard slaps between the shoulder blades.
If this does not work, send for help then stand behind the casualty, clasp your hands just
below the breast bone and give 5 sharp inward and upward thrusts followed by 5 more
back slaps. Keep going, alternating abdominal thrusts and backslaps until help arrives or
the casualty recovers.
Suspected alcohol/substance intoxication – Try to determine cause of intoxication.
Encourage to drink plenty of water. If likely to fall asleep, make sure he/she is not alone in
case they vomit, and place them in the recovery position. If unclear about cause of
symptoms, refer to BHS/ call 999.