FIRST AID, ACCIDENTS AND MEDICAL TREATMENT POLICY

1. PURPOSE

This policy is to ensure Green Umbrella staff attend to incidents promptly with informed practice to minimise severity of any injury.

2.  POLICY STATEMENT 

Learning is a continuous process with children five to thirteen years progressing through their own stages of development, ability and understanding.  Every student, staff and family member have the right to have their physical needs supported in the time of an accident or medical episode.  In doing this Green Umbrella OSHC has sufficient first aid supplies, qualified staff and access to telephone equipment to call for emergency assistance.

We acknowledge the need for health care issues that arise for students to be managed with sensitivity, and information shared is timely and areas of responsibility are outlined clearly and recorded.

3. PRACTICE

3.1 First aid

Understanding the importance of procedure and process is key.  For staff this means:

• There will be at least one staff member with a current First Aid Certificate on duty at all times. Copies of First Aid Certificates are kept in a locked filing cabinet.
• Staff will receive information on this policy during their induction. They will be shown the location of first aid kits and where medications are located.
• The educators have a written accident procedure which all staff, students and volunteers are to follow. (see below)
• Resuscitation posters are displayed in the pre and primary school classrooms, kitchens and outside of buildings.
• All staff are encouraged to hold a First Aid Certificate and participate in resuscitation, allergy and asthma training annually.
• Green Umbrella support the training of all staff to hold first aid qualifications by paying the costs of training
• Complete first aid kits are kept in the kitchen, portable kits are taken on excursions and staff are responsible to ensure used items are replaced.
• First aid kits are checked and replenished at the commencement of each term for supplies and expiry date by the Supervisor.
• The excursion first aid kit is used on evacuation drills.
• In the hall is a notice displaying the following telephone numbers:  000 - Ambulance, Police and Fire Brigade, 131126 Poisons Information Centre, 94500738 Kinma Administration Office.
• All potentially dangerous products and chemicals are inaccessible to children
• All areas are well supervised and staff identify and take action for accident prone areas through staff meetings or direct discussion with the Board.  
  

MINOR INCIDENTS

• Acknowledge the child’s emotions and ask what assistance they need

• Calm the child and suggest first aid applications
• Remove from the situation if needed.
• Administer appropriate first aid treatment in consultation with the student.  The student may choose to apply the remedies for themselves or with assistance
•  Wear gloves if dealing with any bodily fluid.
• Complete an incident form, notify parent at pickup and obtain relevant signature if required and offer a copy of form to the parent.
• Contact parent/guardian at time of incident if student requests or if necessary.
• Monitor child until you are satisfied with the student’s recovery.

INCIDENTS REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION

• A staff member holding a current First Aid Certificate will take charge and implement the action plan. Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Defibrillation.
•  A defibrillator is available in the Administration Office if required
• At all times remain calm, stay with the child and calm the child.
• Where possible work in a team of two adults
• Administer first aid. Wear gloves with any bodily fluid spillage.
• Another staff member will call an ambulance if necessary: 000.
• If anyone has stopped breathing, resuscitation is to be attempted by one or two trained First Aiders. An intensive care ambulance should be requested.
• Contact the Kinma Administration to assist and maintain appropriate supervision for other students.
• Contact parents or emergency contact person to accompany the child in the ambulance or to take the child to their doctor, whichever is most suitable.
• The Nominated Supervisor or Kinma Manager will decide the most appropriate staff person to accompany the child in the ambulance if parents or emergency contact are unable to attend.
• A copy of the child's enrolment form is to accompany the child
• If a death occurs due to an incident, staff will follow the procedures outlined in the Trauma, Sudden Death, and Critical Incident Policy.

PROCEDURE FOR STAFF WHO REQUIRE FIRST AID

• The same procedures as identified for students is applicable to staff and other adults at Green Umbrella
• The Kinma Manager is notified as soon as practical to assist and support in maintaining staffing levels for students
• NOTE:  When administering aid to a colleague or other adult we are respectful and supportive but do not alter from the School’s medical and first aid guidelines.

3.2 Medical treatment

To be read in conjunction with the Medical Treatment Policy. Parents provide information about any medical condition, illness or allergies on enrolment. If any is identified, the supervisor follows up with the parent/guardian to see if the allergy/ condition is the result of a doctor’s diagnosis. Parents are then required to provide a medical practitioner signed plan for the child.

A list of all children with allergies or intolerances is updated each term or as required and a copy is placed in the hall kitchen.

• The plan, together with a photo of the child is distributed to all staff and discussed at a staff meeting closest to the enrolment date.
• A copy of plan is held with any medication
• A copy is attached on the notice board.
• A copy is kept with the emergency evacuation kit.
• A copy is placed on the noticeboard in the kitchen if it is a food allergy
• Further discussion is held bi annually at in-service

3.3 Temporary care when a child becomes unwell  

• Make the child comfortable and place them in a quiet supervised area.
• Monitor them and have a staff member remain with them to keep them comfortable.
• Contact parent or emergency contact.
• Give paracetamol if temperature is greater than 38 degrees  if signed for on the enrolment form
• Call an ambulance if necessary.

3.4 Administration of prescribed medications

• If a child requires the administration of a prescribed medication during school hours the staff will obtain information from the parent/guardian in relation to the administration including dosage, time and method of administration
•  All medications are required to be in original packaging with either the medical practitioners prescribed dosage or the manufacturers recommended dosage
•  The medication is to be handed to the Supervisor.
• A medication dispensing form will be commenced and placed on the fridge.
• The supervisor will set an alarm for dispensing time
• Confirmation is given to parents on collection of child at the end of the day with the time and dose administered

3.5 Reporting

Green Umbrella practice revolves around relationship and after an incident it is important that we take time to debrief with students and staff and offer support to all involved. Staff when practical will complete the reporting process as follows:

• Incident Form is completed by the staff member administering first aid and signed by the Supervisor.
• Depending on severity of the incident parent/guardian is telephoned or told of the incident at pickup.
• The family is given the form to read and asked to sign that they have read the information.
• The signed form is placed in the appropriate file in the office and kept as part of Green Umbrella’s records.
• Parents are offered a copy of completed form.
• If an incident requires hospitalisation for the Department of Education and Communities  form is required to be completed and submitted electronically
• If a death occurs on site the police are to be called  and the Department of education and Communities notified
• All incidents are reported to the Green Umbrella Board each term as an ongoing risk assessment of types and numbers of issues arising at Green Umbrella.

4. APPENDIX

4.1  Supporting Documents

• Medical Treatment Policy
• Anaphylaxis Policy
• Asthma Policy
• Poisons Information hotline  131126

4.2 Regulatory Legislation and Considerations

• Child Safe Organisations advisory materials, Office of the Children’s Guardian
• Children (Education and Care Services) Regulation 2012 policies (168), R. 85 - 89
• ACECQA – (6.1., 6.2) …QA7 (7.1, 7.2).

• NSW Education Standards Authority (BOSTES)  - Safe and Supportive Environment, Staffing, Management and Operations
• St John DRABCD Action Plan
• http://www.allergyfacts.org.au/PDF/AnaphylaxisGuidelinesFinal.pdf
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000

Date Approved: 12 November 2018

Date reviewed: September 2020

Date reviewed: July 2023

Date to be reviewed: July 2026