Like any workplace, schools operate under HSE regulations 1981 and thus have a duty of care to ensure there is adequate and appropriate equipment and facilities for providing first aid in the workplace. As the workplace is a school, many different factors have to be considered when deciding on the best possible protection for staff and pupils.
For instance, primary schools with a nursery or reception class attached require at least one member of staff to have a full Paediatric First Aid certificate; however under new government guidelines all newly trained nursery or pre-school staff must have either an emergency paediatric first aid or full paediatric first aid certificate.
Having an employee with a generalist First Aid certificate (that may meet the normal requirements for employers), is not sufficient for those working with children and babies. Conversely having a Paediatric First Aid certificate holder will not be sufficient for an employer to meet their legal requirements under the Health and Safety (First Aid ) Regulations 1981.
Ofsted guidance states; that First Aid provision must be available at all times, that children and babies are cared for either on the childcare premises or off the premises on visits and outings.
In settings where care is provided to children who have not reached puberty, frontline staff should have a Paediatric First Aid certificate. Where the children have reached puberty frontline staff should have an adult First Aid certificate, see EFAW and FAW.
Number of students and staff? Split sites or different levels? Should additional first aid provision be considered if there is more than one building? How many first aid personnel are needed to provide adequate cover on each floor on a split-level site and outlying buildings, and on each site of a split-site school?
Is it remote from emergency services? It is good practice to inform the local emergency services, in writing, of the school’s location (giving Ordnance Survey grid
references, if necessary) and any particular circumstances that may affect access to the school. If the school has more than one entrance, emergency services should be given clear instructions on where or to whom they should report. (If an ambulance needs to be called, someone should meet the emergency vehicle at the specified entrance and take them to the casualty.)
Different first aid procedures may apply and ‘reasonable adjustments’ made to alleviate them suffering any substantial disadvantage. This includes supplying auxiliary aids and services.
If a college or facility is attached to a school with students who have not reached puberty or has a nursery/daycare onsite, then said facility comes under regulation and guidelines set by The Department Of Education and Ofsted requirements for registered childminders and the requirements for nannies under the DfES Approved Carers Scheme, and must have at least one front line staff member trained in Paediatric First Aid. As of April 2017 new government legislation requires all new nursery and pre-school staff to undertake paediatric first aid as a compulsory measure in-line with recently published guidelines set by The Department of Education. Having an employee with a generalist First Aid certificate (that may meet the normal requirements for employers), is not sufficient for those working with children and babies. Conversely having a Paediatric First Aid certificate holder will not be sufficient for an employer to meet their legal requirements under the Health and Safety (First Aid ) Regulations 1981. Ofsted guidance states; that First Aid provision must be available at all times, that children and babies are cared for either on the childcare premises or off the premises on visits and outings. In settings where care is provided to children who have not reached puberty, frontline staff should have a Paediatric First Aid certificate. Where the children have reached puberty frontline staff should have an adult First Aid certificate, see EFAW and FAW.
Hazardous substances, dangerous tools and machinery. Temporary hazards, such as building or maintenance work, should also be considered and suitable short-term measures should be put in place.
We recommend that all employers should visit the First Aid section of the Health and Safety Executive’s website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/
While we issue indicative guidance as part of the course detail information, this must not be relied upon by the employer, rather they have a legal duty to check that the First Aid course they place their staff on is the correct course for their particular work place environment.
If you are in doubt as to whether this is a suitable course for your employees, we are always pleased to provide further guidance (free of charge) on how to carry out a First Aid Needs Assessment.
Together with your input we can provide courses that are suited to fit your needs and tailored to your particular work environment. We provide highly trained instructors specialised within the education sector, who through their experience and understanding, can not only work around you and the best interests of your school or nursery, but also, and perhaps more importantly, provide a bespoke service that ensures the best possible protection for your employees and pupils.
Both our Paediatric First aid and Emergency Paediatric First aid courses meet the requirements of the Department for Education (First Aid) syllabus guidelines, Ofsted requirements for registered childminders and the requirements for nannies under the DfES Approved Carers Scheme. Beyond this, we will always look to tailor the course to the most relevant requirements of your particular child care environment.
Bleeding and/or suffering from shock (resulting from severe blood loss).
Showing signs of choking.
Suspected of having, a seizure, or suffering from anaphylactic shock.
Suffering from the effects of extreme heat or cold.
Suspected of being poisoned.
Unresponsive and breathing normally.
Unresponsive and not breathing normally.
Suffering a minor and major case of bleeding.
Suffering a bite or sting.
Suspected of having a foreign body in eye, ears or nose.
Suspected of having as an eye injury.
Suspected of having a head, neck or back injuries.
Suspected to be suffering from one of the following a range of medical conditions including: A diabetic emergency; an epileptic seizure, an asthma attack, an allergic reaction, a febrile convulsion or suffering from a sickle cell episode, meningitis or another type of sudden illness.
Understand the role of the emergency first aider.
Learn to assess the situation in order to act safely, promptly and effectively in an emergency.
Learn to properly communicate with the casualty and how to conduct a primary survey.
Put an unconscious casualty into the recovery position and maintain an airway.
Carry out effective rescue breathing to current Resuscitation Council guidelines.
Carry out effective CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) and deploy an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to current Resuscitation Council guidelines (i.e. ONLY for children over one year old).
In addition we offer a further course in Safe Use Of An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in accordance with Department of Education guidelines published in June 2017. Information on how to obtain AEDs in schools and nurseries is available here.
Lastly, our trainers are all experienced and understand the workings of a busy school or education facility. Therefore our instructors are able to work around the requirements of the students, staff and timetable. For further information please fill out our contact form below or call on 03333 442176.
We are based in East Anglia and provide first aid training courses throughout the UK. We offer all our programmes as ‘in-house’ courses at your premises or we can arrange a suitable off-site venue (although this second option would involve additional costs). Please browse through our locations on the menu for more details.
We are dedicated to operating to the highest standards of professional integrity and are committed to providing high quality programmes to enable our client’s staff to flourish in their role as workplace first aiders.
Free First Aid Quiz to Schools and Nurseries
RT Training is offering free First Aid Quiz flash cards to schools and nurseries throughout the UK.
The cards are a fun and informative way to train and re-fresh staff working in educational and preschool environments on the fundamentals of first aid response.
We are sending these free of charge to schools and nurseries who wish to receive them.
Please fill out our form below and we will endeavour to send out your Free First Aid Quiz Flash Cards as soon as possible.
