FIRST AID AND MEDICAL NEEDS POLICY

The aim of this policy is to ensure the health and safety of all learners and Inspire Enrichment team and provide a framework for responding to incidents. It outlines the difference between first aid and medical needs with clarification over any overlap. It outlines the team responsibilities for administering medication (if necessary) provided by parent/carer for their child during the time at our setting.

All members of the team are encouraged to undertake Paediatric First Aid training. Depending who is on site, first aiders include Jade Carroll, Elizabeth Hunt, and leaders of sessions.

First Aiders are trained, qualified and responsible to:

• Take the role of first responder when someone is injured or becomes ill, assess the situation where there is an injured or ill person, and provide immediate and appropriate treatment.

• Ensure that an ambulance or other professional medical help is summoned when appropriate.

• Filling in an accident report on the same day, or as soon as is reasonably practicable, after an incident and providing feedback to Jade Carroll or Ellie Hunt.

• Providing appropriate feedback to parents/carers or passing on appropriate feedback to Jade Carroll or Ellie Hunt to allow them to liaise with parents/carers around treatment given.

• Ensuring there is an adequate supply of medical materials in first aid kits, and informing Jade Carroll or Ellie Hunt of any replenishment needed for the contents of these kits. There will always be a qualified first aider on site when sessions are taking place.

First aid procedures:
In-setting procedures in the event of an accident resulting in injury:

• The closest member of staff present will assess the seriousness of the injury and seek the assistance of a qualified first aider, if appropriate, who will provide the required first aid treatment.

• The first aider, if called, will assess the injury and decide if further assistance is needed from a colleague or the emergency services. They will remain on scene until help arrives.

• The first aider will also decide whether the injured person should be moved or placed in a recovery position.

• If the first aider judges that a participant is too unwell to remain in their session, parents/carers will be contacted and asked to collect their child. Upon their arrival, the first aider will recommend next steps to the parents/carers (if appropriate).

• If emergency services are called, a member of the team not acting as first aider or in charge of other participants will contact parents/carers immediately.

• The first aider will complete an accident report form as soon as is reasonably practical after an incident resulting in an injury, with as much detail as possible. This will be shared with Jade Carroll and Ellie Hunt.

Off-site procedures
When taking participants out of the Revolutionary Tuition Centre for enrichment activities (such as for the Duke of Edinburgh Award), staff will ensure they always have the following:

• A mobile phone.

• A portable first aid kit.

• Appropriate details of individual allergies/medical needs and permission slips for the participants involved.

• Risk assessment detailing what the first aid access points are for the location of the visit

Medical Needs
While First Aid is given in response to an incident, many of the participants attending our sessions may have medical needs relating to diagnosed conditions. These include but are not limited to epilepsy, FND and asthma. We encourage all parents/carers to share relevant medical information with us.

If a risk assessment highlights a participant’s medical needs as increasing risk, this will be highlighted to and discussed with both the parents/carers and any other relevant parties (such as those for visits outside of the regular session setting).

The Inspire Enrichment Team have no legal duty to administer medication, they must agree to do so on a voluntary basis. This includes routine support included in a care plan around self-care or similar tasks. However, in an emergency, the Inspire Enrichment Team act in loco parentis, having a duty to do their best, in the best interest of the child.

Any medication, prescription or otherwise, that a parent/carer request’s is administered during setting hours is subject to day-by-day assessment and agreement by staff. A medicines form detailing the medication to be administered is included in the appendix to this document, however it does not guarantee agreement from staff to administer the medication, and a parent/carer may be asked to come to setting to support with the medication or treatment. The form also contains a log of when medication has been administered and having been brought to the setting this will be copied at the end of each day and kept for our records whilst a second copy is sent home.

Medication supplied must be in-date, labelled with the participant’s name and provided in the original container containing the additional information sheet, as dispensed by a pharmacist if by prescription. Medicines requiring refrigeration should be placed in a suitable additional container e.g., a plastic box and clearly marked medicines. Access to a fridge containing medicines should be restricted. Medical needs requiring ongoing support should be included in the information provided to us upon registration to sessions with Inspire Enrichment. If there are any changes to medication or medical needs, these needs communicating to Inspire Enrichment in writing, so we can update the information we hold.