First Aid Policy

School: Caherleaheen NS

Purpose and Rationale

This policy sets out how Caherleaheen National School delivers First Aid and Intimate Care to its pupils. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of all staff in administering First Aid and Intimate Care. The purpose of this policy  is to ensure that any immediate danger and discomfort is alleviated. Any First Aid rendered by the school is intended to be of a temporary nature and to be the minimum level of care. Any further diagnosis or extended care should be passed on to medical professionals. Injuries should be fully examined by Parents/Guardians when children arrive home.

The Intimate Care procedures outlined in this policy, adhere to the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017 and this policy aims to meet all care needs and to reassure  pupils, staff and parents.

Awareness of Medical Needs

• On our School’s Enrolment Form, Parents are requested to inform the school of any medical condition or allergy from which their child may suffer.
• Relevant information is retained in the office and by the class teacher.
• It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school of any changes in existing medical conditions.
• At the end of each academic year teachers will pass on relevant medical information regarding children in the handover of classes for the new academic year.
• If a child is taken ill whilst in the classroom, the teacher will assess the condition of the child and if they feel that the child needs to go home they will arrange for a parent (or other contact as prioritised by the parent on the data collection sheet) to be contacted.

 

Administration of Medicines

• School staff will not administer medicines unless a parent requests it in writing.
• Parents may administer prescribed medicines during the school day themselves by prior arrangement with the school.
• Any parent of a child with an existing medical condition that may require hands on medical attention will have advised the school and class teacher and provided any medication (such as epipen) to ensure the appropriate care is given under the correct circumstances.
• Parents of children that have provided medication as outlined above must ensure that all medicines to be administered are in the original container, clearly labelled with the child’s name, dosage and frequency.

First Aid

• If a child suffers an injury, it will be assessed by the adult nearest to the child.
• All adults will be expected to deal with all instances of minor first aid.
• Disposable surgical gloves must be worn at all times.
• A minor cut will be cleaned with an antiseptic wipe.
• Plasters to be used where necessary, after cleaning of wound with antiseptic wipe
• An ice-pack or cold object will be applied in the event of a swelling.
• In the event of an emergency, if any adult in school is concerned for the health and safety of the child following an injury, they must call alert the principal immediately, who will contact parents the emergency services
• Injuries obtained off-site during school trips will be dealt with similarly, as outlined in the School Outings Policy

 

First Aid Station

Location

The First Aid Station is located in the main bathroom at the foyer near Room 2.

 

Contents of First Aid Box

• Dressings
• Disposable Gloves
• Antiseptic wipes
• Adherent tape
• Hypoallergenic plasters
• Bandages
• Portable ice-packs( also in staffroom freezer).
• Scissors
• Sudocream

 

Informing Parents and Logging Injuries

• Parents will be informed of minor injuries through note in Homework Journal.
• Where the child is very distressed or the injury is significant, Parents will be informed by phone.
• It is the responsibility of the attending adult to decide what is a “significant injury.” They will make a common sense judgement as any responsible parent would, and take into account the specific needs of the child concerned.
• It is the responsibility of the person who dealt with the injury to gather the facts about how the injury occurred from witnesses, so that they may pass on accurate details to the Parent.
• All injuries, however insignificant, must be recorded in our Yard Incident Book.
• When informing parents by phone, all parent/guardian emergency numbers will be exhausted in the case of a ‘significant injury’.If no contact is made an ambulance is called.

Provision for First Aid

• First Aid kits must be carried by the teacher/supervising adult whenever they take children off site.
• All of the medical supplies will be monitored and replenished as necessary. All staff are responsible for alerting the principal if they become aware that a particular First Aid Kit requires re-supplying.

Dealing with Common Illnesses and Infections

• Any child who suffers from diarrhoea or vomiting during the school day will be required to be collected and taken home.
• Any child who has suffered from diarrhoea or vomiting must not return to school until they have been completely clear of symptoms for 24hrs
• Pupils must not return to school until clear of all COVID symptoms for 48hrs, as directed by the HSE.
• It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that the health and safety of everyone at school is considered when deciding when to return their child to school.
• If a child is found to have live headlice, their parents will be informed by the school office. All of the other children in that class will receive a standard text regarding headlice asking parents to inspect their heads and to treat any infestation accordingly.
• The parents of any child suspected of having a highly infectious condition will be contacted. If the infection is severe, they will be asked to collect the child. If it is minor they will be asked to seek advice about treatment from their GP.
• Parents can seek advice from the HSE about other common illnesses and infections.

 

 

 

Intimate Care

Intimate Care is the attending to the needs of children who have wet or soiled themselves either by accident or due to medical or developmental reasons. In instances of soiling, the parent or guardian should be asked to come to the school and will therefore be able to attend to any of the intimate needs of the child. However, if the parent or carer is not able to attend, then the following guidance should be followed:

• In line with the School’s Child Protection Risk Assessment, permanent staff, ie teachers and assistants should aim to remain potentially visible to a supporting colleague, whilst providing privacy for the child, for example, keep the bathroom door
• Talk to the child throughout, making clear what is happening. If necessary, a second adult can be summoned.
• The child should be involved as much as possible in his or her own intimate care.
• Protective gloves must be worn. A supply of spare underwear and tracksuit bottoms will be kept in the Infant classrooms.
• Care should be taken to dispose of any soiled wipes, bagged and disposed directly into the main outside bin.
• Soiled clothing should be placed in a plastic bag and tied firmly for returning to parents.
• Every child must be treated with dignity and respect. Privacy should be ensured appropriate to the child’s age and situation.
• Allow the child to be as independent as possible, in particular with removing underwear. Support the children in doing all that they can for themselves.
• Sanitary products will be available to the senior classes.
• If a member of staff has concerns about managing personal or intimate care then they should make these known to the principal.

 

 

 

 

This policy was ratified by the Board of Management on  Nov. 22^nd  2021 and will be appraised, as part of its annual Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment Review.