All staff are expected to use their best endeavours in the event of a first aid emergency.

All staff must know:

1.    How to call the emergency services – dial 999 and ask for an ambulance. If there is any doubt that an ambulance is required, call an ambulance straight away.

2.    The location of the nearest first aid box is in the kitchen

Staff are not expected to carry out any intimate care of learners.

The consent form will contain details of any long term medical issues.  The student will only be permitted to bring with them enough medication required to cover one session at OWLS.  This medication will be locked in the office until the specified time of administration.  The learner will take the medication in the presence of a member of staff.

The name of and how to contact the Appointed Person is Cathy Johnson, Dean Parkinson and Gemma Parkinson and can be contacted through our walkie talkie.

3.    Appointed Persons are responsible for: Taking charge when someone is injured or becomes ill; Ensuring that an ambulance or other professional medical help is summoned if appropriate; Looking after and restocking the first aid box and any other first aid equipment in their area of responsibility.

 Training for First Aiders, which does not have to be Health and Safety Executive (HSE) approved, would include:

1.What to do in an emergency;

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

First aid for the unconscious casualty

First aid for the wounded, bleeding or burnt

Appointed Persons may undertake basic and/or advanced HSE approved first aid training.

2 .First Aiders are responsible for giving immediate help to casualties with common injuries or illnesses and those arising from specific hazards at School;

Where necessary, ensuring that an ambulance or other professional medical help is called. First Aiders must complete a training course approved by the HSE. Refresher training is required every three years.

The responsibility of the provision of first aid at OWLS is Gemma Parkinson and Dean Parkinson, the Directors.

The number of Appointed Persons and First Aiders is reviewed annually by the Peninsula Business Services H &S inspector or more frequently when required, for example following an accident or emergency.

When determining the appropriate number of Appointed Persons and First Aiders, OWLS will take into account:

The number of staff (and pupils) present at any one time;

The distribution of staff;

The number and locations of first-aid boxes;

Whether there are inexperienced members of staff;

The number of staff and pupils with disabilities or specific health problems;

Whether there are travelling, remote or lone staff;

Arrangements for off-site activities;

Parts of the provision premises with different levels of risks;

The types of activity undertaken;

The proximity of professional medical and emergency services;

Any unusual or specific hazards (for example, working with hazardous substances, dangerous tools or machinery);

These indicate the most common types of injuries, times and locations. It is a useful tool as it highlights areas to concentrate on and tailor first aid provision to.

When selecting staff to be an Appointed Person or First Aider, the Directors of OWLS will take into account their reliability, communication

skills, aptitude to learn, ability to cope with stressful situations and the ability to leave the work that they are doing at the time.  

Guidance on the minimum legal requirement for Appointed Persons and First Aiders; the recruitment, selection and training of First Aiders; the responsibility and accountability of First Aiders; the need for a first aid room and the contents of first aid boxes can be found in the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. Reporting accidents and record keeping. All members of the OWLS should report any accident or incident, however minor, as soon as possible after it has occurred. When an injured person is unable to complete their own details of the accident, then the Appointed Person ,First Aider and/or witness should do it on their behalf.

3. Complete an accident report form AND enter the details in the accident book.

Reports must contain:

The date, time and place of the event;

Details of those involved;

A brief description of the accident/illness and any first aid treatment given;

Details of what happened to the casualty immediately afterwards - for example went to hospital, went home, resumed normal activities, returned to class.

The Directors should be informed about any incident if it is at all serious or particularly sensitive. For example when a pupil has had to go to hospital, if one pupil has caused deliberate damage to another or where negligence might be suggested. Parents must  be informed  when any learner requires hospital treatment or is kept in, as the result of an accident, an employee is taken to hospital, is unable to work or subsequently becomes absent from work, their line manager/and directors must report all serious accidents to the HSE as required by RIDDOR.

In an emergency the Directors, have contact details of pupils parents and guardians and has details of employees and their next of kin.

References

a)    Education Regulations(Independent School Standards) (England) 2010 (SI 2010/1997) Regulation 3 (14)

b)    DfEE Guidance on First Aid for Schools

c)      Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 September 2014

           To be revised January 2015

4   Reception and teaching caravan: First aid boxes= Kitchen in the reception and kitchen in the teaching caravan

Appointed Person = Gemma Parkinson

First Aiders = Gemma Parkinson and Cathy Johnson

5. basic first aid = knowing what to do in an emergency is vitally important. Consider getting some first aid training and a first aid kit and familiarise yourself with how to deal with some of the more common situations opposite. If someone is injured, the following steps will keep them as safe as possible until professional help arrives:

Keep calm.

If people are seriously injured call 999 immediately; contact the Appointed Person and First Aider.

Make sure you and the injured person are not in danger.

Assess the injured person carefully and act on your findings using the basic first aid steps below.

Keep an eye on the injured person's condition until the emergency services arrive.

Unconsciousness Bleeding

If the person is unconscious with no obvious sign of life, call 999 and ask for an ambulance. If you or any bystander has the necessary skills,

give them mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while you wait for the emergency services.

Control severe bleeding by applying firm pressure to the wound using a

clean, dry dressing and raise it above the level of the heart. Lay the person down, reassure them, keep them warm and loosen tight clothing.

Burns Broken bones

For all burns, cool with water for at least 10 minutes. Do not apply dry

dressings, keep the patient warm and call an ambulance.

Try to avoid as much movement as possible.

6. Contents of first aid boxes on site  

General first aid guidance leaflet

20 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings/plasters (assorted size)

2 sterile eye pads

4 individually wrapped triangular bandages (preferably sterile)

6 safety pins (do not use for children’s slings - use tape)

6 medium sized (approx 12x12cm) individually wrapped sterile non-medicated wound dressings and 2 large ones (18x18cm)

1 pair of disposable gloves

Please note that, for instance, eyewash will be necessary in identified areas such as labs or workshops.

Please do not include known allergenic materials, ie Elastoplast or any creams or otherwise.

Prescription medication such as inhalers must not be kept in first aid boxes.

7. Anaphylaxis

What is anaphylaxis?

1. Anaphylaxis is an acute allergic reaction requiring urgent medical attention. It can be triggered by a variety of allergies, the most common of which are contained in food (eg dairy products, nuts, peanuts, shellfish), certain drugs and the venom of stinging insects (eg bees, wasps, hornets). In its most severe form the condition can be life-threatening.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis usually occur after exposure to the causative agent and may include itching, swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty in swallowing, rashes appearing anywhere on the body,

abdominal cramps and nausea, increased heart rate, difficulty in breathing, collapse and unconsciousness. No pupil would necessarily experience all of these symptoms at the same time.

2. Medication and control

It is important that key staff at OWLS are aware of pupil's condition and of where the pupil's medication is kept, if it is likely to

be needed urgently. The referral should indicate whether in some circumstances the pupil should be allowed to carry medication on his/her person around the School.

Following discussion with the pupil and his/her parents, individual decisions should be made as to whether to provide basic information on the pupil's condition to his/her peer group so that they are aware of their classmate's needs and of the requirement for urgent action should an allergic reaction occur. Fellow pupils should also be advised not to share food or drink with a pupil who is likely to experience an anaphylactic reaction.

3. Managing pupils with anaphylaxis

Staff should be aware of those pupils under their supervision who have a severe allergy resulting in anaphylaxis.

Staff should ensure that all pupils who have an epipen prescribed to them, have their medication on them at all times.

Staff should ensure that they have some knowledge of what to do if a pupil has an anaphylactic reaction.

4. Issues which may affect learning Pupils with anaphylaxis should be encouraged to participate as fully as possible in all aspects of school

life. It is not possible to ensure that a pupil will not come into contact with an allergen during the school day but schools should bear in mind the potential risk to such pupils in the following circumstances and seek to minimize risk whenever possible.

5. What are the main symptoms?

Itching or presence of a rash

Swelling of the throat

Difficulty in swallowing

Difficulty in breathing

Increased heart rate

Unconsciousness

6. What to do if a pupil has an anaphylactic reaction

Ensure that a paramedic ambulance has been called.

Stay calm and reassure the pupil.

Encourage the pupil to administer their own medication as taught.

Summon assistance immediately

8. Asthma

1. What is Asthma?

Pupils with asthma have airways which narrow as a reaction to various triggers. The triggers vary between individuals but common ones include viral infections, cold air, grass pollen, animal fur, house dust mites

and passive smoking. Exercise and stress can also precipitate asthma attacks in susceptible cases. The narrowing or obstruction of the airways causes difficulty in breathing and can be alleviated with treatment.

Asthma attacks are characterised by coughing, wheeziness, an inability to speak properly, and difficulty in breathing, especially breathing out. The pupil may become distressed and anxious and in very severe attacks the pupil's skin and lips may turn blue.

2. Medication and control

Medication to treat the symptoms of asthma usually comes in the form of inhalers which in most cases are colour coded. Instructions will be given on the medication as to which colour coding is relevant to inhaler use in different circumstances.

Most pupils with asthma will take charge of and use their inhaler from an early age and it is good practice to allow pupils to carry their inhalers with them at all times, particularly during PE lessons. If a pupil is too young or immature to take responsibility for the inhaler, staff should ensure that the inhaler is kept in a safe but readily accessible place and is clearly marked with the pupil's name.

Pupils with asthma must have immediate access to their inhalers when they need them.

It would be helpful for parents to provide the School with a spare inhaler for use in case the original inhaler is left at home or runs out. Spare inhalers must be clearly labelled with the pupil's name and stored in a locked cabinet in accordance with the School's health and safety policy. It is the parents' responsibility to ensure that any medication retained at the school is within its expiry date.

Where pupils are unable to use an inhaler by themselves or where a pupil requires additional medication, eg a nebuliser, a health care plan must be completed. For pupils whose asthma is controlled by an inhaler, an information card giving the basic details should be completed and kept with the pupil's file.

Note that it is difficult to "overdose" on the use of an inhaler. If a pupil tries out another pupil's inhaler there are unlikely to be serious side effects, although clearly pupils should never take medication which has not been prescribed for their own personal use.

Following discussion with the pupil and his/her parents individual decisions should be made as to whether to provide basic information on the pupil's condition to his/her peer group so that they are made aware of their classmate's needs.

3. Managing pupils with asthma

Staff should be aware of those pupils under their supervision who have asthma.

Games staff should ensure that all pupils with asthma have their salbutamol inhaler prior to commencement of a session.

Staff should ensure that they have some knowledge of what to do if a pupil has an asthma attack.

(Staff to seek advice from relevant agency.)

4.Away trips: please refer to the Staff Handbook for full procedures

Staff should ensure that all pupils going on away trips carry their medication with them.

Staff members trained in administration of medication must be identified.

Staff must give consideration to the safe storage of medication.

Staff supervising the trip must be aware of the pupil's condition and of any relevant emergency procedures.

5.Issues which may affect learning Pupils with asthma should be encouraged to participate as fully as possible in all aspects of school life, although special considerations may be needed before undertaking some activities. Pupils must also be allowed to take their inhaler with them on all off-site activities.

Physical activity will benefit pupils with asthma in the same way as other pupils. They may need to take precautionary measures and use their inhaler before any physical exertion. As with all pupils, those with asthma should be encouraged to undertake warm-up exercises before rushing into sudden activity, especially when the weather is cold.

However, they should not be forced to take part if they feel unwell.

6. What are the main symptoms?

Coughing

Wheezing

Inability to speak properly

Difficulty in breathing out

7. What to do if a pupil has an asthmatic attack

Stay calm and reassure the pupil. Speak calmly and listen to what the pupil is saying.

Summon assistance from Unity. Try not to leave the pupil alone unless absolutely necessary.

Make sure that any medicines and /or inhalers are use promptly

Help the pupil to breathe by encouraging the pupil to breathe slowly and deeply and relax,

Help the pupil to sit fairly upright or to lean forward slightly rather than lying flat on his/her back.

If the child does not respond to medication or his/her condition deteriorates call a paramedic ambulance.

contacting parents/guardians.

11. Diabetes

1. What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high due to the body being unable to use it properly. This is because of a faulty glucose transport mechanism due to lack of insulin.

Normally, the amount of glucose in the bloodstream is carefully controlled by a hormone called insulin. Insulin plays a vital role in regulating the level of blood glucose and, in particular, in stopping the blood glucose level from rising too high.

Pupils with diabetes have lost the ability to produce insulin and therefore their systems are unable to control their blood glucose levels. If the blood glucose level is too high, a pupil may show symptoms of thirst, frequent trips to the toilet, weight loss and tiredness. Conversely, if the blood glucose level is too low a pupil may display symptoms which include hunger, drowsiness, glazed eyes, shaking, disorientation and lack of concentration.

2. Medication and control

Diabetes cannot be cured but it can be treated effectively by injections of insulin and by following an appropriate diet. The aim of the treatment is to keep the blood glucose level close to the normal range so that it is neither too high (hyperglycaemia) nor too low (hypoglycaemia). All pupils with diabetes will require an individual health care plan.

In most cases pupils will have their insulin injections before and after school but some pupils may require an injection at lunchtime. If a pupil needs to inject whilst at school he/she will know how to undertake the procedure without adult supervision.

However, the pupil may require privacy in which to administer the injection. Some pupils may also need to monitor their blood glucose levels on a regular basis and again privacy may be required for this procedure.

An essential part of the treatment of diabetes is an appropriate diet whereby regular meals and good food choices help to keep the blood glucose level near normal. A pupil with diabetes will have been given guidance on food choices which should be reduced in sugar and fat but high in starch. Most pupils with diabetes will also need to eat snacks between meals and occasionally during class time.

These snacks usually consist of cereal bars, fruit, crisps or biscuits. It is important to allow a pupil with diabetes to eat snacks without hindrance or fuss and to ensure that the lunchtime meal is taken at a regular time. It is also important that the School should establish with the pupil and his/her parents where supplies of fast acting sugar can be kept in case of a hypoglycaemic episode.

The issue of close communication between parents and the School is fundamental to the care of pupils with diabetes, as many aspects of growth and development will have an impact on their diabetes control. It is the parents' responsibility to ensure that any medication retained at the School is within its expiry date.

Following discussion with the pupil and his/her parents individual decisions should be made as to whether to provide basic information on a pupil's condition to his/her peer group so that they are aware of their classmate's needs.

3. Managing pupils with diabete

Staff should be aware of those pupils under their supervision who have diabetes.

Games staff should ensure that all pupils with diabetes have a lucozade bottle with them (and their emergency medication and blood glucose monitoring kit) prior to commencement of a session.

12. Staff should ensure that they have some knowledge of what to do if a pupil has a hypoglycaemic episode or a hyperglycaemic episode. (Staff to seek advice from supervising staff for training)

Issues which may affect learning Pupils with diabetes should have no difficulties in accessing all areas of the curriculum including sporting activities which are energetic. However, as all forms of strenuous activity use up glucose there are some simple precautions to follow in order to assist a pupil with diabetes in maintaining an adequate blood glucose level:

Encourage the pupil to eat or drink some extra sugary food before the activity:

Have glucose tablets or a sugary drink readily available in case the pupil displays symptoms of hypoglycaemia;

After the activity is concluded, encourage the pupil to eat some more food and take extra fluid - these additional snacks should not affect normal dietary intake.

What do in an emergency if a pupil has a hypoglycaemic (low blood sugar) episode Common causes:

A missed or delayed meal or snack

Extra exercise

Too much insulin during unstable periods

The pupil is unwell

The pupil has experienced an episode of vomiting.

Common symptoms:

Hunger

Drowsiness

Glazed eyes

Shaking

Disorientation

Lack of concentration

i. Get someone to stay with the pupil - call for nursing staff/ambulance (if they are hypo, do not send them out of class on their own, their blood sugar may drop further and they may collapse.

ii. Give fast acting sugar immediately (the pupil should have this), eg:

Lucozade

Fresh orange juice

Sugary drink, eg Coke, Fanta

Glucose tablets

Honey or jam

iii. Recovery usually takes ten to fifteen minutes.

iv. Upon recovery give the pupil some starchy food, eg couple of biscuits, a sandwich.

v. Inform Schools/parents of the hypoglycaemic episode.

vi. In some instance it may be appropriate for the pupil to be taken home from school

NB. In the unlikely event of a pupil losing consciousness, call an ambulance

13. A hyperglycaemic episode (high blood sugar)

Hyperglycaemic episodes occur when the blood glucose level is too high. Pupils may display the following symptoms:

Excessive thirst.

Passing urine frequently

A change of behaviour

Vomiting

Abdominal pain

Care of pupils in a hyperglycaemic episode

Do not restrict fluid intake or access to the toilet.

Contact parents if concerned.

Compiled by : D Parkinson & G Parkinson

Review date: August 2025