HSCS: 1.24, 3.14, 3.17, 3.19, 3.20
At Willow Den we aim to protect children at all times. We recognize that accidents or incidents may sometimes occur. We follow this policy and procedure to ensure that all parties are supported and cared for when accidents or incidents happen; and that the circumstances of the accident or incidents are reviewed with a view to minimising any future risks.
What is an accident?
An accident is an unfortunate event that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury. (Such as trips and falls while running). We acknowledge that sometimes more serious accidents can occur. We want to ensure all children, staff and any visitors receive prompt appropriate treatment.
What is a near miss?
Any incident that would be described as a ‘near miss’ that could have led to injury or harm to a person using our service, including any lessons learned and any action taken.
| Step 1 | The person responsible for reporting accidents, incidents or near misses in the member of staff who saw the incident or was first to find the child where there are no witnesses. They must record it on an Accident Form and report it to the Nursery Manager. Other staff who have witness the accident may also countersign the form, and in more serious cases, provide a statement. This should be done as soon as the accident is dealt with, whilst the details are still clearly remembered. |
| Step 2 | Parents/carers must be shown the Accidents Report, informed of any first aid treatment given and asked to sign it as soon as they collet their child. All head injuries must be reported as soon as possible to the parent via phone call. |
| Step 3 | When administering first aid another member of staff will be present and aware of actions. This is to safeguard members of staff when dealing with children and first aid treatments. |
| Step 4 | The nursery manager reviews the accidents forms monthly for patterns, e.g. one child having a repeated number of accidents, a particular area in the nursery or a particular time of the day when most accidents happen. Any patterns will be investigated by the nursery manager when all necessary steps taken to reduce risks are put in place. |
| Step 5 | The nursery manager will report serious accidents to the registered person for investigation for further action to be taken (i.e. a full risk assessment or report under Reporting Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)) |
| Step 6 | The Accident File will be kept for at least 21 years and three months |
| Step 7 | Where medical attention is required the nursery manager will follow the insurance company procedures, which may involve informing them in writing of the accident. |
| Step 8 | Where medical treatment is required the nursery manager will follow the insurance company procedures, which may involve informing them in writing of the accident. |
| Step 9 | The nursery manager/registered provider will report any notifiable accidents or incidents to the Care Inspectorate with 24 hours. The Care Inspectorate regards accidents requiring notification as unforeseen events resulting in harm or injury to a person using the service with results in: -A GP visit – A visit or referral to hospital – An injury reportable under Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) |
| Step 10 | The manager will also refer to our Child Protection Procedures and report as per those procedures of the local authority and child protection team (where necessary) |
| Step 11 | Where relevant such accidents will also be reported to the local authority environmental health department or Health and Safety Executive and their advice followed. Notification must be made as soon as is reasonably practical, but in any event within 14 days of the incident occurring. |
Location of accident files
Accidents and Incidents are recorded and stored on our online nursery management system. This allows staff to log any accidents and obtain signatures from both staff and parent
| Organisation | Contact Number |
| Local child protection teams | Edinburgh: 0131 200 2327 Falkirk: 01324 506 070 |
| Health and Safety Executive – Edinburgh (for Edinburgh and Falkirk) | 0131 247 2116 |
| Edinburgh Environmental Health Department Falkirk Environmental Health Department | 0131 608 1100 EnvironmentalHealth@edinburgh.gov.uk 01324 506 070 https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/contact-us/ |
| RIDDOR report form | www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/report.htm |
The nursery manager/staff member must:
| Step 1 | Call for an ambulance immediately if the injury is severe. DO NOT attempt to transport the sick child in your own vehicle. |
| Step 2 | Whilst waiting for the ambulance, contact the parent(s) and arrange to meet them at the hospital. |
| Step 3 | Arrange for the most appropriate member of staff to accompany the child taking with them any relevant information such as registration forms, relevant medication sheets, medication and the child’s comforter. |
| Step 4 | Redeploy staff if necessary to ensure there is adequate staff deployment to care for the remaining children. This may mean temporarily grouping the children together. |
| Step 5 | Inform a member of the management team immediately. |
| Step 6 | Remain calm at all times. Children who witness an incident may well be affected by it and may need reassurance. Staff may also require additional support following the accident. |
First Aid
The appointed person responsible for first aid is:
| Willow Den at Spartans | Nursery Manager – Amy McGlinchey Second – EYOP, Satoko Kojima-Krylczuk |
| Willow Den at Falkirk Wheel | First – Multi Site Manager, Vicki Shiels Second – Deputy Manager, Karen Dickson |
First Aid Boxes
Willow Den at Spartans
| 1. | The main first aid box is located in the office |
| 2. | There are two mobile first aid kits located at the entrance and the main garden space. These are always accessible with appropriate content for use with children. |
| 3. | The staff first aid box is kept in the office. This is kept out of reach of the children. |
| 4. | First aid boxes are checked monthly by the appointed first aider. This check includes: -Replace expired items, disposing of them safely -Items used should be replaced as soon as possible -If a sterile item doesn’t have an expiry date, check with the manufacturer to find out how long it can be kept. – For non-sterile items without dates, you should check that they are still fit for purpose. |
| 1. | The main first aid box is taken from the cabin and stored in the camp kitchen daily. |
| 2. | There is a mobile first aid kit in the outings bag and a small first aid kit remains in the cabin. |
| 3. | The staff first aid box is kept in the cabin. This is kept out of reach of the children. |
| 4. | First aid boxes are checked monthly by the appointed first aider. This check includes: – Replace expired items, disposing of them safely – Items used should be replaced as soon as possible – If a sterile item doesn’t have an expiry date, check with the manufacturer to find out how long it can be kept. – For non-sterile items without dates, you should check that they are still fit for purpose. |
First aid boxes should only contain items permitted by the Health and Safety (First Aid Regulations Act 1981), such as sterile dressings, bandages and eye pads.
The contents of the first aid kit should be based on a first aid needs assessment as per the HSE website https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/firstaid/what-to-put-in-your-first-aid-kit.htm As a guide, where work activities are low-risk (for example, desk-based work) a minimum first aid kit might contain:
- An inventory so staff know what the box should contain
- A leaflet with general guidance on first aid (for example, HSE’s leaflet Basic advice on first aid at work)
- Individually wrapped sterile plaster of assorted sizes
- Sterile eye pads
- Individually wrapped triangular bandages, preferably sterile
- Safety pins
- Large and medium-sized sterile, indivdually wrapped, unmedicated wound dressings.
- Disposable gloves
First Aid Training
All permanent practitioners are trained in paediatric first aid and this training is updated every three years.
At least one staff member is ‘First Aid at Work’ trained
Health and Safety Executive and Minor Cuts and Plasters
Extract taken from the HSE website 12/11/2021
There is not rule that says a responsible adult can’t put a plaster on a child’s minor cut. Some children do have an allergy to normal plasters. If you know a child is allergic you can use the Hypo-allergenic type of plaster The important thing is to clean and cover the cut to stop it getting infected.
Food Safety and Play
During mealtimes and food play we refer to ‘Good practice guidance: prevention and management of choking episodes in babies and children’.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
The nursery provides staff with PPE according to the need of the task or activity. Staff must wear PPE to protect themselves and the children during tasks that involve contact with bodily fluid. PPE is also provided for domestic tasks. Staff are consulted when choosing PPE to ensure all allergies and individual needs are supported and this is evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Dealing with blood
We may not be aware that any child attending the nursery has a condition that may be transmitted via blood. Any staff member dealing with blood must comply with Care Inspectorate Infection Prevention and Control in Childcare Settings.
| 4.6 Dealing with spillages of blood and bodily fluids | |
| All staff must be trained in how to safely clean up spillages of blood and bodily fluids. Staff must: | |
| 1. | Deal with blood and bodily fluid spillages as quickly as possible |
| 2. | Keep the children away from the spill |
| 3. | Put on PPE (i.e., disposable gloves and disposable apron) |
| 4. | Prepare a solution of: General-purpose neutral detergent: and solution of chloride-based disinfectant (prepared in accordance with the manufacturers instructions) |
| 5. | Place paper towels (or kitchen roll) over the sill, to soak up the spillage. Then carefully place these into a disposable, leak proof plastic bag. |
| 6. | Use disinfectant solution to clean the remainder of the spillage. |
| 7. | Then wipe down the area with paper towels (or kitchen roll) soaked in detergent solution. |
| 8. | Wipe area dry with paper towels (or kitchen roll) |
| 9. | Remove PPW and put into plastic bag, secure and seal the bag then place it in the waste bin. |
| 10. | Wash their hands with liquid soap and running water |
Needle puncture and sharps injury
We recognize that injurie from needles, broken glass and so on may result in blood-borne infections and that staff must take great care in the collection and disposal of this type of material. For the safety and well-being of the employees, any staff member dealing with needles, broken glass etc. must treat them as contaminated waste. If a needle is found the local authority must be contacted to deal with its disposal. In the interim it would be stored in our sharps box.
More information on sharps management:
First Aid and Trips and Outings
When children are taken on an outing away from our nursery, we will always ensure they are accompanied by at least one member of staff who is trained in first aid. A first aid box is taken on all outings, along with any medication that needs to be administered in an emergency, including inhalers, etc..
We treat our responsibilities and obligations in respect of health and safety as a priority and we provide ongoing training to all members of staff which reflects best practice and is in line with current health and safety legislation.
