Introduction:

This policy was originally drafted in January 2009 as a response to newly enacted Health & Safety legislation.  It was re-drafted in June 2015 and subsequently reviewed in March 2017 by the school management team. This revised policy applies to all users of the school premises and refers to all school related activities involving children and staff of Rutland NS.

 Rationale:

The formulation of this policy enables our school to effectively:

  • Provide for the immediate needs and requirements of students who have sustained either a serious or a minor injury
  • Ensure that adequate resources and arrangements are in place to deal with injuries/accidents as they arise
  • Ensure lines of communication with parents/guardians are in place if required
  • Activate a known plan of action with which all staff are familiar
  • Provide guidelines for the administration of medication in the school

 Roles and Responsibilities:

The overall responsibility for the day to day management of school supervision /routines rests with the Principal.  The class teacher is responsible for classroom supervision and teachers on yard duty are directly responsible for the supervision of pupils at break time.  The school’s Health and Safety Officer is the Deputy Principal.  The First Aid Officer is Ian Cherry and TBC  who are up to date with Occupational First Aid training. Ian is trained in the use of Epipen (March 2017). Fire Drill coordinators are the Deputy Principal and Principal.

 School Ethos:

This policy re-enforces the elements of the school mission statement which advocates providing a safe and secure learning environment for each child and ensuring a duty of care at all times when the school is in operation.

 Aims/Objectives:

  • To ensure the physical safety and well being of all staff and pupils
  • To develop a framework of procedures whereby all injuries are dealt with in a competent and safe manner
  • To provide training for staff with the effective use of outside expertise so that children have access to proper interventions
  • To comply with all legislation relating to safety and welfare at work

 Procedures:

Safety of pupils and staff is a priority for the Board of Management, and robust measures have been put in place to ensure no children or staffs are put at risk;

  • A comprehensive school Safety Statement has been recently revised whereby all hazards are identified and remedial measures are outlined
  • The school is insured under Allianz Insurance and a 24 hour policy, underwritten by Allianz Insurances is in place for all children
  • There is at least one staff member who has First Aid Training
  • Each classroom teacher regularly instructs his/her class on issues relating to safety in the class/playground etc. (see School Anti-Bullying and Code of Behaviour Policies)
  • Certain procedures are in place in the event of accidents
  • There is at least one teacher and one SNA on yard duty at any one time
  • Classes who leave the school on trips will always be accompanied by two adults
  • For school tours and sporting events, the teacher will bring a small First Aid kit

Minor Accident/Injury

 The injured party is initially assessed by the teacher on yard duty.  If deemed necessary, the child will be taken to the ‘sick bay’ which is in Room 10.  No medicines are administered but cuts are cleaned with gauze and water or anti septic wipes and bandages/plasters applied if deemed appropriate.  The use of plastic gloves is advised at all times.

 More Serious Accidents/Injuries

If considered safe to do so, the injured party is taken to Room 10.  Parents/guardians are immediately informed if there is a suspicion of serious head injury, broken bones or eye injuries.  The child is kept under intense observation until parents /guardians arrive, with the emphasis on making the child as comfortable and as settled as possible.

 Very Serious Injuries

 In the event of a very serious injury, parents/guardians are immediately contacted.  If the considered opinion of the staff is that immediate professional help is required, an ambulance is called.  On rare occasions the staff may agree that staff taking the child to Accident & Emergency is a more prudent option particularly in the case of rapid blood loss.  Parents are kept informed of developing situations where possible – the school endeavours to keep an up to date list of phone numbers and constantly remind parents to inform them of changes to phone numbers.

 Categories of Injury/School Procedures

 Minor Cuts and Bruises

Method:

In all cases of injury it is understood that there is at least one teacher on yard duty.

Minor injuries can be treated by the teacher/SNA on yard – a small first aid kit is kept outside the yard. Staff are simply to clean around cuts using water/antiseptic wipe/cloth, cleaning from the centre outwards. Guidelines are that staff

  • Wear gloves at all times to reduce the risk of the spread of infection
  • Check to locate small bodies which may be embedded in the wound
  • Plaster, gauze or lint is placed on the wound
  • Teacher to monitor child
  • The Class teacher will inform parents verbally of the injury.

 Sprains/Bruises

Method:

  • In the event of a sprain/bruise, the process of rest, ice, compress and elevate is implemented
  • If in doubt, parent/s are contacted
  • Teacher to monitor child
  • Teacher will inform parents verbally of injury

 Faints and Shocks

  • Lie the casualty down
  • Raise the legs above the level of the heart
  • Loosen any tight clothing
  • Ensure there is fresh air
  • Keep crowds away
  • Reassure casualty when they recover
  • Contact parents
  • The event is subsequently recorded in the Accident Book

 Bumps to head;

  • Any bump from the neck up is considered a head injury.
  • Child is observed rested.
  • Icepack may be applied as necessary.
  • Records are kept
  • A note is sent home to parents or  phone call is made to inform them
  • If any evidence of deterioration in level of consciousness parents are contacted immediately or child may be taken to doctor, ambulance may be called or child may be taken to casualty.

 Severe Bleeding

  • Act instantly set or lie the injured party down
  • Press down on wound using gloves
  • Lift (if possible) the injured part above the level of the heart
  • Put a clean dressing over the wound and secure it firmly with a bandage
  • If blood shows through the dressing then place another one over the first and bandage firmly
  • Treat for shock (as outlined in section above)
  • Get assistance
  • Contact parents
  • Record in First Aid incident folder

 Burns/Scalds

  • Immediately remove child from danger area
  • Cool burnt area with cold running water
  • Remove rings etc. and other tight fitting accessories
  • Do not remove objects stuck to skin
  • In the event  of a minor burn use a special burn treatment

 Unconsciousness

  • Ring for medical help
  • Place child in recovery position
  • Ring for parents
  • Check for broken bones, neck or back injury
  • If subject is not breathing, artificial respiration is applied
  • Other children are kept away

 Stings/Bites

  • If sting is evident staff may try remove it with tweezers
  • If staff are concerned, parents are contacted

 The First Aid Policy is based on collective teacher input.  The teacher on yard duty is automatically assisted by others in the case of a serious injury.

 Resources:

First aid boxes are located in Room 10, the canteen, the principal’s office, the yard, the Cookery Room and the Staff Room.  All staff are aware of these locations. It is the Deputy Principal’s duty to ensure that these first aid boxes are adequately stocked at all times. The Deputy Principal will make an annual order to replenish the first aid supplies in the school. At the start of each school year every class teacher will receive a small medical bag which will contain gloves, sterile wipes and plasters. These bags will be checked and replenished at the end of each term, or as deemed necessary by the class teacher.

 Record Keeping:

All accidents/injuries are recorded in the red Accident Folder which is located in the staffroom or principal’s office.  Teachers are encouraged to keep a separate copy of accident report forms relating to injuries sustained by children in their class.  The accident report form lists date and time of accident, witnesses, nature of injuries, a brief description of the circumstance of the accident, procedures followed by staff etc. A note will be sent home for all pupils that sustain a bump on the head .Very serious injuries will be notified to the schools insurers – Special Incident Report Form. 

Relevant medical information on all pupils is obtained at time of enrolment.  This section asks parents to list allergies and other medical conditions their child may have.

 Evaluation:

The success of this policy is measured by the following criteria;

  • Maintaining a relatively accident free school environment
  • Positive feedback from staff, parents, children
  • Continual yard observation of behaviour by all staff engaged in supervision duties
  • Monitoring and evaluation at staff meetings

 

Administration of Medication to Pupils by Teachers

Introductory Statement:

This policy was formulated in response to the need to set procedures for the possible need to administer medication to children presenting with illnesses. School management consulted I.N.T.O guidelines on the issue and the BOM in advance of policy formulation.

It was adopted by the staff and will be ratified by the Board of Management.

 Rationale /Aim.

Our policy sets out to clarify the position of staff and B.O.M. in relation to the administration of medication to pupils in our care.

 Guidelines

As a general rule, teachers should not be involved in the administration of medication to pupils. It is hoped that parents would arrange with medical practitioners that medication be administered before or after school. In exceptional circumstances, where a child requires medication to be administration of medication, it is advised that:

  1. A request should be put in writing by the parent(s) of the pupil concerned to the Board of Management requesting the Board to authorise a teacher/SNA to administer the medication.
  2. In January 2017, the B.O.M suggested that a child’s doctor also put a request in writing for medication to be administered – the type of medication, the dosage and frequency of such.
  3. The request should also contain written instruction of the procedure to be followed in administering the medication.
  4. Self-medication is not advised except in the case of a child with asthma using an inhaler which has been medically sanctioned.
  5. The Board of Management, having considered the matter, may authorise a teacher /SNA to administer medication to a pupil. If the teacher/SNA is so authorised she/he should be properly instructed by the Board of Management. There should always be two staff members present when administering medication.
  6. A teacher/SNA should not administer medication without the specific authorisation of the Board.
  7. In administering medication to pupils, teachers should exercise the standard of care of a reasonable and prudent parent.

Note: Where the above procedure is put in place, the Board of Management should give consideration to authorising another member of staff to administer the medication in the event that the regular person doing so is absent from school. Arrangements should also be made by the Board of Management for the safe storage of medication and in the event of absence.

In the case of an emergency, the designated administrator will follow the procedures as per First Aid policy. Qualified medical treatment will be secured in emergencies at the earliest opportunity.

 Parents must notify the school of any illnesses or allergies their child may have and are required to do this upon enrolment. Parents must notify teacher/school of any  relevant information that subsequently comes to light.

Parents will be asked to identify symptoms in order that treatment can be given by an appropriate person if necessary.

 Medication in this policy refers to medicines, tablets and sprays administered by mouth only.

**CF Administration of Medicines in School Indemnity Form in Principal’s/Deputy Principal’s offices.

 

Summary:

Parents

The parent/guardian should write to the Board of Management requesting the Board to authorise a staff member to administer the medication or to monitor self-administration of the medication.

Parents are required to provide written instructions of the procedure to be followed in the administration and storing of the medication.

Parents are responsible for ensuring that the medication is delivered to the school in date and handed over to the Deputy Principal/Class teacher and for ensuring that an adequate supply is available.

Parents are further required to indemnify the Board and authorised members of staff in respect of any liability that may arise regarding the administration of prescribed medicines in school. The Board will inform the school’s insurers accordingly.

Changes in prescribed medication or dosage should be notified immediately to the school with clear written instructions of the procedure to be followed in storing and administering the new medication.

Where children are suffering from life threatening conditions, parents should outline clearly in writing what should and what should not be done in a particular emergency situation, with particular reference to what may be a risk to the child.

Parents are required to provide a telephone number where they may be contacted in the event of an emergency arising.

 Board of Management

The Board, having considered the matter, may authorise a staff member to administer medication to a pupil or to monitor the self-administration by a pupil.

The Board will ensure that the authorised person is properly trained in how to administer the medicine. Two staff members should always be present when administering medication.

The Board shall seek an indemnity from parents in respect of liability that may arise regarding the administration of the medicine.

The Board shall make arrangements for the safe storage of medication and procedures for the administration of medication in the event of the authorised staff member being absent.

 Staff Members

No staff member can be required to administer medication to a pupil.

Any staff member who is willing to administer medicines will do so under strictly controlled guidelines in the belief that the administration is safe.

Medication will not be administered without the specific authorisation of the Board of Management.

In administering medication to pupils, staff members will exercise the standard of care of a reasonable and prudent parent.

A written record of the date and time of the administration will be kept.

In emergency situations, staff will do no more than is obviously necessary and appropriate to relieve extreme distress or prevent further and otherwise irreparable harm.

Qualified medical treatment should be secured in emergencies at the earliest opportunity.

Parents should update phone numbers with school as necessary as they need to be contactable if any questions or emergencies arise.

Non-Prescription Medications

Children are not permitted to carry non-prescription medications in school such as, but not limited to, cough mixtures, painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen) and anti-histamines and will not be administered to pupils. If found such medications will be confiscated and parent(s) or guardian(s) will be contacted.

Ratification:

This revised policy was ratified by the Board of Management on

Date:

Signed:

Reviewed:

Signed: