Policy statement

Balham Community Centre follows the guidelines of the Reporting Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR) for the reporting of accidents and incidents. Child protection matters or behavioural incidents between children are NOT regarded as incidents and there are separate procedures for this.

Procedures

• Our accident forms are:

• kept safely and accessibly;

• accessible to all staff and volunteers, who know how to complete it; and

• reviewed at least half termly to identify any potential or actual hazards.

Ofsted is notified of any injury requiring treatment by a general practitioner or hospital doctor or the death of a child or adult.

Treatment should only be given for minor accidents

When dealing with minor accidents and those incidents which involve bodily fluids disposable gloves must be used at all times.

Staff should make themselves aware of the location of all first aid boxes, if they are in any doubt as to whether first aid should be administered they will check with their line manager. If the line manager is not available then they will consult with another staff member.

Accidents and Emergencies

In cases of more serious accidents the emergency services should be called immediately so as professional medical treatment can be administered. The next of kin (parent/carer) must be informed and at the earliest opportunity and the Centre Manager.

All employees must report all incidents which resulted or nearly resulted in personal injury to themselves or others, to their Line Manager and make sure the accident is recorded on an Accident Form.

It is the responsibility of the Centre Manager to ensure that any necessary follow-up action is taken to reduce the risk of the accident or near accident recurring.

Dealing with incidents

The Centre Manager is responsible for reporting incidents which come within the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), to the London Borough of Wandsworth Environmental Health Department. RIDDOR covers the following incidents:

• fatal accidents

• major injury accidents /conditions

• dangerous occurrences

• accidents causing more than 3 days incapacity from work

• certain work-related diseases.

In the cases of Child Protection and behavioural incidents and the like, Policies and Procedures are specifically available. For all other incidents your line manager must be informed so an assessment can be made as to its seriousness.

• We have ready access to telephone numbers for emergency services, including local police. Where we are responsible for the premises we have contact numbers for gas and electricity emergency services, carpenter and plumber. Where we rent premises we ensure we have access to the person responsible and that there is a shared procedure for dealing with emergencies.

• We keep incident forms for recording incidents including those that that are reportable to the Health and Safety Executive as above.

These incidents include:

• break in, burglary, theft of personal or the setting's property;

• an intruder gaining unauthorised access to the premises;

• fire, flood, gas leak or electrical failure;

• attack on member of staff or parent on the premises or nearby;

• any racist incident involving staff or family on the centre's premises;

• death of a child, and

• a terrorist attack, or threat of one.

• On the incident form we record the date and time of the incident, nature of the event, who was affected, what was done about it - or if it was reported to the police, and if so a crime number. Any follow up, or insurance claim made, should also be recorded.

• In the unlikely event of a terrorist attack we follow the advice of the emergency services with regard to evacuation, medical aid and contacting children's families. Our standard Fire Safety Policy will be followed and staff will take charge of children. The incident is recorded when the threat is averted.

• The incident form is not for recording issues of concern involving a child. This is recorded in the child's own file.

• We maintain a summary of all accidents, exclusions, incidents of poor behaviour and discrimination, including racist incidents, and complaints and resolutions.