First Aid Policy & Procedures — The British School of Amsterdam

Statement of intent

The First Aid Policy has been written to conform to Part 3: Welfare, health and safety of pupils in the British Schools Overseas standards (November 2016) in particular Section 13.

All employees are expected to use their best endeavours at all times, to secure the welfare of the pupils at the school, in the same way that parents might be reasonably expected to act towards their children.

In addition to this, the School recognises it has an additional duty to make arrangements for supporting pupils at with medical conditions. This is done through the creation of individual care plans. These will be drawn up in consultation with health and social care professionals, pupils and parents to ensure that the needs of children with medical conditions are effectively supported and that no pupil will be excluded from full access to education- including school trips and physical education- on the grounds of their medical condition.

This policy will be reviewed by the Management Board, Senior Leadership Team and the Supervisory Board:

at regular intervals, and at least annually
after accidents, incidents and near misses
after any significant changes to workplace, working practices or staffing
after any form of notice has been served.

The School expects all staff and pupils to be familiar with this policy, as with all school policies. The Management Board and Heads of School will ensure that this policy and all individual healthcare plans will be reviewed regularly and be readily accessible to parents and school staff.

First Aid in School

The School has a number of First Aiders. Their names are clearly displayed at all first aid points and can be obtained here. The School arranges adequate and appropriate training and guidance for staff that volunteer to be First Aiders. A First Aider must hold a valid certificate of competence, issued by an approved organisation. Emergency Paediatric First Aid at work certificates are valid for three years. (Paediatric) First Aid certificates are valid for only one year. The School arranges refresher training and retesting of competence before certificates expire and yearly refresher courses.

First Aid trained staff are also trained in the use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machines. AED machines are located around the school (see map)

The responsibilities of the First Aider are to:

take charge when someone is injured or becomes ill;
administer any First Aid treatment for which they have been trained;
ensure that an ambulance or other professional medical help is summoned when appropriate; and
ensure the First Aid equipment is maintained, restocked and ready for use.

The Principal and heads of schools regularly review the School’s First Aid needs to ensure that the provision is adequate. First Aid boxes are distributed throughout the School. Staff should familiarise themselves with the whereabouts of First Aid equipment and the telephone number of emergency services - 112. First Aid equipment must be clearly labelled and easily accessible. First Aid information is included in the staff induction programme to ensure new staff are told about the First Aid arrangements.

School staff

School staff who are not designated first aiders still have responsibility for first aid provision throughout school. All staff should be aware of this policy, the school’s Health and Safety Policy, and basic First Aid. Staff should

ensure that they are familiar and up to date with this policy and standard procedures
keep their line managers informed of any developments or changes that may impact on the School’s First Aid provision, including any incidents that have already occurred
ensure that all the correct provisions are assessed and in place before the start of any activity
ensure that activities in school that they are supervising or organising are risk assessed, and in line with the School’s Health and Safety Policy, to reduce the risk of accident or injury
cooperate fully with the School to enable them to fulfil their legal obligations. Examples of this would be ensuring that items provided for health and safety purposes are never abused and that equipment is only used in line with manufacturers’ guidance
ensure that any equipment used is properly cared for and in the proper working order, including first aid boxes around the school. Any defects should be immediately reported to a Head of School and that piece of equipment should not be used.
be aware of the needs of pupils with medical conditions that they teach
know what to do and respond accordingly when they become aware that a pupil with a medical condition needs help
where appropriate to the needs of the pupil, teachers and other school staff may be asked to provide support, including the administering of medicines for pupils with individual healthcare plans. Where this is the case, staff should receive sufficient and suitable training to achieve the necessary level of competency before taking on responsibility to support children with medical conditions
staff will not be asked to administer prescription medicines or undertake healthcare procedures without appropriate training (updated to reflect any individual healthcare plans). The school recognises that a first aid certificate is not appropriate training in this instance
Heads of School are responsible for ensuring that all supply staff and new staff members are fully briefed as to the needs of any pupil with individual healthcare plans which they are likely to encounter.

Volunteers at the School have the same responsibilities for health and safety as any other staff, and will be expected to be familiar with the School’s Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.

Pupils

Pupils at the School should be familiar with who the School staff First Aiders are. If they are unsure, they should ask a member of staff. Pupils can help the School ensure First Aid provision is effectively put into practice by:

reporting any medical emergencies or incidents to a member of staff immediately
reporting anything that they feel to be a hazard to health and safety on or near the School premises
taking care for their own safety and the safety of others. Pupils that put themselves, staff, or any other members of the school community or visitors to the School in danger through reckless behaviour may be dealt with using the School’s behaviour management systems.
make sure that staff members are aware of any of their own health conditions or ailments that may require First Aid assistance (for example diabetes, epilepsy). This is particularly important in circumstances where pupils will be travelling off the School premises, for example for a sports match or a school trip
where a pupil has a health condition which requires an individual healthcare plan the pupil will be involved wherever practicable in discussions as to their medical support needs and will be required to act in a way which is compliant with the plan
all pupils are expected to act in a way which demonstrates a positive awareness to the needs of those with medical conditions and be aware of their responsibility for informing a member of staff if a fellow pupil is unwell.

Parents

Parents can help the school maintain effective first aid provision by:

alerting the school to any ongoing or temporary medical conditions that their child has that may require first aid. This is extremely important, and parents are required to notify the school in writing of such circumstances. Where medicine has been prescribed either for a set timescale or as an ongoing provision, the school must be notified in writing. This medicine will be kept by the receptionist for children in the Early Years, the Junior School Secretary for Junior children and at the Student Services for the Senior School, unless there is a specific reason for the child to have it on them at all times. It is important that parents do not send their children to school with prescribed medicine or other types of medicine without the knowledge of school staff so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
where their child requires an individual healthcare plan, the parent will be involved in the development and review of the plan. They will be expected to carry out any action which they have agreed to as necessary as a part of its implementation, e.g. provision of medicines and equipment, ensuring that they or a nominated adult are contactable at all times
working with the school to instil a sense of first aid responsibility in their children. This means being alert of health and safety practicalities, and promoting safe behaviour at home
making the school aware of anything that they feel to be a hazard to health and safety on or near the school premises
familiarising themselves with this policy so that they understand the steps that will be taken if their child requires emergency first aid for any reason.

Visitors to the School

Visitors to the school are expected to take care around school and have reasonable responsibility for the safety of themselves and other members of the school community. All visitors will have access to this first aid policy, as well as the school's Health and Safety Policy. Names of School First Aiders are displayed around the School and here.

Procedures when dealing with accidents

First Aid is the immediate and sustained help that is given before professional help arrives. It is as important to know what NOT to do, as to know what to do.

If there is an accident:

Take charge, keep calm, and get others to help.
Notify a trained first aider if available.
Assess the situation. Work quickly and without fuss.
Give reassurance to the rest of the party.
Deal with any life-threatening situation first, e.g. arrested breathing.
Deal with more serious injuries next.
If several people are injured, deal with those who will benefit most from immediate treatment.
Watch for cases of shock, e.g. coldness and talking nonsense.
If hospital treatment is needed then no food, drink or drugs must be administered.
For hospital treatment the injured party should be taken in a taxi. If in any doubt call an ambulance.

Procedure in the event of an illness

If a pupil falls ill while in a school lesson they should immediately tell the member of staff in charge, who will assess the situation and decide the best course of action. They will be accompanied to the Reception if appropriate. Pupils who are clearly in pain, are distressed, or are injured will never be required to go to the Receptionist unaccompanied.

The First Aider will administer the appropriate first aid, and parents will be called to pick up their child if they are too unwell to complete the rest of the school day. If a parent or carer is unable to get to the school to pick up the child, the child will remain in the medical room until they are able to get there at the end of the school day or arrange for another family member or carer to collect them.

If a child who is sent home early is still too unwell to attend school the next day, parents should follow the procedure outlined under the subheading below. The school aims to reduce the risk of a spread of infection or illness and asks parents to keep their child at home where there is risk.

If a member of staff is unwell, he or she may seek first aid throughout the school day but should ensure that their manager is aware of class cover that has been arranged or needs to be arranged either for a single lesson or for a prolonged period of time.

Reporting continued absence due to illness

Most cases of absence due to illness are short term, but parents will need to make a phone call to alert the school on the first day/each day of absence. When the child returns to school they should bring a note from their parent explaining the absence – this is for the school records

For prolonged absence due to illness, parents may be asked to provide the school with medical evidence such as a note from the child’s doctor, an appointment card, or a prescription paper.

Procedure in the event of an accident or injury

In the case of an accident or injury, the member of staff in charge should be informed immediately. They will assess the situation and determine whether or not emergency services need to be called. A First Aider should be called for as soon as possible and should be informed of the injury, even if their assistance is not required.

First aiders are not paramedics, and if the first aider feels they cannot adequately deal with the injury then they should arrange for access to appropriate medical care without delay.

Emergency services

An ambulance should always be called by staff in the following circumstances:

a significant head injury
fitting, unconsciousness, or concussion
difficulty in breathing and/or chest pains
a severe allergic reaction
a severe loss of blood
severe burns or scalds
the possibility of a serious fracture
in the event that the first aider does not consider that they can adequately deal with the presenting condition by the administration of first aid, or if they are unsure of the correct treatment.

If an ambulance is called, the member of staff in charge should ensure that access to the school site is unrestricted and that the pupil can be easily accessed by emergency services when they arrive.

Pupils who are taken to hospital in an ambulance will be accompanied by a member of staff unless parents are able to reach the school site in time to go with their child themselves. Ambulances will not be delayed waiting for parents to arrive at the school. Parents will be informed immediately of any medical emergency and told which hospital to go to.

All accidents and injuries must be reported; in the case of serious incidents, accidents involving staff or the call out of emergency services, a copy of the accident form must be given to the Operations Manager to keep on file.

Procedure in the event of contact with blood or other bodily fluid

The school understands the importance of ensuring that the risk of cross-contamination is reduced as far as is reasonably practicable, and the training that staff and first aiders undertake outlines the best practice for this. It is important that the first aider at the scene of an accident or injury takes the following precautions to avoid risk of infection to both them and other pupils and staff:

cover any cuts and grazes on their own skin with a waterproof dressing
wear suitable disposable gloves when dealing with blood or other bodily fluids
wash hands after every procedure.

If the First Aider suspects that they or any other person may have been contaminated with blood and/or other bodily fluids that are not their own, the following actions should be taken without delay:

wash splashes off skin with soap and running water
wash splashes out of eyes with tap water or an eye wash bottle
wash splashes out of nose or mouth with tap water, taking care not to swallow the water
record details of the contamination
report the incident to a first aider and take medical advice if appropriate. The first aider will then arrange for the proper containment, clear-up and cleansing of the spillage site.

All staff should take precautions to avoid infection and must follow basic hygiene procedures. Staff have access to single use disposable gloves. Disposable gloves should be used at all times when attending to a cut, graze or open wound. Used gloves should be carefully disposed of and restocked from the glove boxes where most first aid is administered. Care should be taken when dealing with blood or other body fluids and disposing of dressings or equipment. All large blood spillages must be cleared up immediately. All swabs, cotton wool etc. used to clean up a blood spillage must be secured in a plastic bag and disposed of in the bin.

First Aid in PE and off-site provision

The risk of injury is increased during increased physical activity. It is the responsibility of the teacher leading PE to ensure that first aid boxes are available or mobile kits are taken on off site visits.

For off-site activities and away fixtures, first aid boxes will be taken from the Medical Room / Office and returned back to the same place. These will be taken on any off-site activity. The first aid boxes within the school’s classrooms etc are for use in school only and should not be removed from the site. This is to ensure that boxes are always where they are expected to be in case of an emergency.

It is good practice for staff who are in charge of away fixtures and off-site activities to check with the host school that there is adequate first aid provision in place. Risk assessments should be carried out. If an accident or injury does occur, first aid should be sought from the host school’s first aiders. If a pupil must visit the host-school’s nurse’s office or be given first aid treatment elsewhere, a member of staff from our school should be with them at all times. Where necessary in an emergency situation, pupils should be taken to the nearest hospital.

Injuries that occur off-site should be reported to the Head of School / Deputy on return to the school, and first aiders will first aid follow-up care where necessary.

Where pupils have individual healthcare plans, sufficient active support will be provided to permit them to take part within sporting and off-site activities as fully as possible. Pupils will be encouraged to participate according to their own abilities and reasonable adjustments will be made ensure that this is practicable. A separate risk assessment will be carried out as appropriate prior to off-site activities and consultation will take place with appropriate parties (pupils, parents, health specialists) during this process.

Reporting accidents, emergencies, and first aid administration

Minor accidents

Any minor accident must be recorded in the accident book (see Appendix 2 below). Parents must be notified of any serious or significant incidents especially any bump to the head either by telephone or, in the primary years by using an accident form (Appendix 3a, 3b below).

A record of any first aid treatment given by First Aiders must be kept. This should include:

The date, time and place of incident
The name (and class) of the injured or ill person
Details of the injury/illness and what first aid was given
What happened to the person immediately afterwards (for example went home, resumed normal duties, went back to class, went to hospital)
Name and signature of the first aider or person dealing with the incident

Serious accidents & those involving staff or adults must be reported immediately to the Head of School or another senior member of staff (in the case of staff, to the Operations Manager)

Any hospital visits require an accident form to be filled in. These are stored in the office at each school (See Appendix 4.1 below). Injured parties are escorted immediately to the Vu Hospital. Parents are contacted and are asked to meet their child at the hospital. A member of the school staff remains with the child until a parent/carer arrives. In the event that a parent cannot be reached during school hours, discharged patients are bought back to school and supervised.

Involving staff

work related accidents resulting in death or major injury (including as a result of physical violence) must be reported immediately (major injury examples: dislocation of hip, knee or shoulder; amputation; loss of sight; fracture other than to fingers, toes or thumbs)
work related accidents that prevent the injured person from continuing with his/her normal work for more than seven days. which must be reported within 15 days (note that even though over-three-day injuries do not need to be reported, a record must still be retained)
cases of work related diseases that a doctor notifies the school of (for example: certain poisonings; lung diseases; infections such as tuberculosis or hepatitis; occupational cancer)
certain dangerous occurrences (near misses – reportable examples: bursting of closed pipes; electrical short circuit causing fire; accidental release of any substances that may cause injury to health).
Use the form in Apendix 4.1 to record staff / adult accidents and send a copy to the Operations Manager.

Involving pupils, parents, or school visitors

accidents which result in the death of a person that arose out of or in connection with the school's activities
accidents which result in an injury that arose out of or in connection with the school's activities and where the person is taken from the scene of the accident to hospital.

Incident investigations

An investigation may be launched by the GGD in the case of accidents or incidents deemed serious as equivalent to Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). Accident reports will be reviewed and witnesses may be interviewed.

The Senior Leadership Team or the Supervisory Board 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.

Travelling First Aid containers

It is recommended that a qualified first aider is present at any off site activity. In the Early Years, a qualified first aider MUST be present. Before undertaking any off-site activities, the teacher should assess what level of first aid provision is needed. A first aid container with a minimum stock of first aid items for travelling should accompany any off site trip (appendix 5).

Consideration must also be given to individuals who may require asthma pumps, insulin or Epipens etc.

Medical details

Parents are asked to note any serious medical conditions on the ‘Application for Enrolment Form”. Class or form group medical lists are circulated at the start of the academic year and up-dated when new children enrol. All staff should know of any serious medical conditions of children. Medical information is recorded on the pupil database and shared with relevant staff.

Pupils with special medical conditions

Photographs of children with specific conditions and treatments and their details are placed on the relevant school section staff workroom wall and, in the primary years, in the child’s classroom.

Contagious diseases/infections

The head of school may exclude pupils who have, or are suspected of having a contagious disease. Those pupils cannot return to school until a doctor’s note is accepted. The head of school has the right to exclude pupils from school if s/he feels they are too sick to attend and/or is causing risk of infection to others. (Prevention and management of COVID19 is dealt with in a separate COVID protocols document here)

The head of school can contact the GGD (020 555 5911) for advice on particular diseases and procedures to be followed. Parents are requested to inform the School if their child has been diagnosed with a contagious disease. A letter is then e-mailed to all the children within the same school informing the parents of the disease, the symptoms and possible side effects. They are advised to contact a doctor should they feel concerned.

Medication

No medication must be given without the signed consent of a parent.

Early Years School and Junior School

No pupil should be in possession of medicine (except diabetics, asthmatics, epileptics, and anaphylaxis). In the event of a pupil needing medication during school time, parents must complete a form authorising staff to administer medication to their child and giving clear details of “when” and “how” medication is to be administered. The staff member must sign and date the form. The form must be displayed in a prominent position in the classroom for all adults to see (appendix 6a).

Senior School

No pupil should be in possession of medicine (except diabetics, asthmatics, epileptics, and anaphylaxis). Medicines should be kept in the dedicated fridge in the Student Services Office. In the event of a pupil needing medication during school time, parents must complete a form authorising their child to administer the medication themselves and giving clear details of “when” and “how” medication is to be administered (see Appendix 6a below). A member of staff should observe the pupil when he/she takes the medicine.

Diabetes

Diabetic pupils must have an individual care plan that has been drawn up by a health practitioner. A diabetes care plan will help school staff know when and how to manage a child's diabetes. (See Appendix 7 below). Staff receive specific training from the diabetic nurse at the Vu Hospital.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis and such acute allergies can be life threatening but they rarely prove fatal where correct medical practice has been taken. All adults must be aware of how to treat an allergic child, including the administration of adrenaline.

A photograph of any pupil with anaphylaxis is displayed in the staff workroom. In the Early Years, and Junior School, each pupil who is known to have an allergic reaction (e.g. peanut/bee sting) must have two emergency boxes in school. The child’s parents provide these. One must be kept in the classroom and one in the workroom by the playground (Junior) or HOS office (EYS). Emergency boxes MUST NOT be kept in a locked place. In the Senior School the emergency box is kept at the Student Services Office. In all instances, a box must be taken on all off-site activities.

Emergency boxes must be clearly labelled as such and also bear the child’s name and emergency contact numbers.

They must contain TWO Epipens, personal allergy details and clear written details of where, when and how adrenaline should be administered (appendix 8).

In cases where a child shows symptoms of an allergic reaction the supervising adults must:

Send for the emergency box.
Contact Emergency services immediately (112) and inform them you are going to administer an epipen.
Administer the adrenaline shot as directed.
Arrange for an ambulance stating the child has collapsed with anaphylactic shock.
Arrange to contact the child’s parents.
Accompany the child to the hospital with the emergency box and contents.

Asthma

Children normally know how to cope with attacks themselves but teachers should be informed by the parents of specific treatment to be administered in case of an attack.

Children should be encouraged to exhale in the event of an attack.
Children should be encouraged to use their own inhalers.
Some children may need to take medication before vigorous exercise.
A thorough warm-up is essential before any exercise.
Swimming can be beneficial but over or under-heated pools should be avoided.

Epilepsy

Teachers should know how to deal with an epileptic fit.

Tonic-Clonic seizures

The person goes stiff, loses consciousness and then falls to the ground. This is followed by jerking movements. A blue tinge around the mouth is likely. This is due to irregular breathing. Loss of bladder and/or bowel control may happen. After a minute or two the jerking movements should stop and consciousness may slowly return.

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 Stay with the person until recovery is complete
Be calmly reassuring

Don't...

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

Call for an ambulance if...

You know it is the person’s first seizure, or
The seizure continues for more than five minutes, or
One tonic-clonic seizure follows another without the person regaining consciousness between seizures, or
The person is injured during the seizure, or
You believe the person needs urgent medical attention

Focal (partial) seizures

Sometimes the person is not aware of their surroundings or what they are doing. They may pluck at their clothes, smack their lips, swallow repeatedly, and wander around.

Do…

Guide the person from danger
Stay with the person until recovery is complete
Be calmly reassuring
Explain anything that they may have missed

Don't...

Restrain the person
Act in a way that could frighten them, such as making abrupt movements or shouting at them
Assume the person is aware of what is happening, or what has happened
Give the person anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
Attempt to bring them round

Call for an ambulance if...

You know it is the person's first seizure
The seizure continues for more than five minutes
The person is injured during the seizure
You believe the person needs urgent medical attention

Before a child with epilepsy can take part in PE the matter must be cleared in writing both by the family doctor and by the parents specifying the extent to which participation is to be permitted.

Epileptic children should not be allowed on high equipment. Teachers should use a friend or buddy system when using apparatus. Epileptic children must be watched by an adult at the poolside. In the event of an epileptic fit, two members of staff should attend the pupil, ensuring that the area around the child is made safe. Any medication must be carried by the pupil at all times. A second pack of medication must be collected from the Reception by a member of staff taking the child on any off-site activity. The name of the child’s doctor must be visible at the Reception and in the staffroom, so that he/she can be contacted and given details of the fit.

Appendices

Appendix 1 Contents of First Aid Boxes

Appendix 2 Accident Book

Appendix 3 Just a Note - letter home

Appendix 4 Serious Accident Report

Appendix 4.1 Staff & Adult Accident Report

Appendix 5 Travelling First Aid Boxes contents

Appendix 6 Administering of medicine

Appendix 7 Pupil Care Plan

Appendix 8 Anaphylaxis Information

Effective from: September 2021