POLICY ON FIRST AID AND
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINE
1. Company First Aid Statement
The health and safety of our staff, students and visitors is one of Studio Cambridge’s prime
concerns. This policy is available to students, agents, parents and all members of Studio
Cambridge staff.
In
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accordance with legislation and good practice, Studio Cambridge will ensure that:
the correct first aid procedures are followed by Studio staff
a First Aid Risk Assessment is completed and reviewed annually
there is adequate and appropriate first aid equipment and first aid personnel at all centres
there is adequate training and guidance for first aiders, and that they have sufficient
understanding, confidence and expertise in relation to first aid
 all staff are made aware of the Company’s first aid arrangements
 a written record is kept of all accidents (in the Accident Books) and any first aid treatment
which is administered
 medical information is given by students on their registration form (which is filled in on their
first day of classes and/or provided in advance by parents)
2. Policy for staff on welfare of students
A list of qualified first aiders is displayed in every classroom. However, all Studio staff are expected
to consider the welfare of students as a top priority. . Nothing in this policy should stop anybody
from calling the emergency services in the event of a medical emergency
3. Dealing with unwell or injured students at school
It is assumed that students are healthy and do not require medical attention, unless we have been
informed in advance of their arrival of any additional needs they may have. There are qualified
first aiders available to deal with accidents, emergencies and illnesses that occur during the course
of the school day.
Students who become unwell or are injured during the daytime should notify their teacher, activity
organiser or any other staff member. Staff should take or direct students to the Head of Welfare,
Welfare Officer or a first aider (or call an ambulance if necessary).
If a student is too unwell to remain at school, then the first aider will notify the homestay
host/residential warden and arrange transport for the student to return home. If there is going to
be no-one at home, the student may stay at school until someone returns home (if the student
does not want to be alone at home). If the student needs urgent medical attention, they will be
taken to hospital by ambulance accompanied by a member of staff. The Sales team will be
notified of this, and they will make contact with the student’s parent and/or agent.
4. Dealing with unwell or injured students off-site
Students who become unwell or are injured should notify their teacher, activity organiser or any
other staff member. The member of staff will then need to assess the following:
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If the student needs an ambulance:
The member of staff should call an ambulance. If the student has to travel to hospital, the
member of staff should find out which hospital they are going to be taken to. The staff
member should call the emergency phone to liaise on the best procedure from this point. If
possible (when there is enough adult supervision for the remaining students), the Group
Leader or member of staff should accompany the student to the hospital.
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If the student does not require an ambulance, but they still need to go to A & E:
The student will need to go by taxi to A & E (receipts for the journey must be kept). If the
student doesn’t have a Group Leader to go with them, the supervising member of staff will
need to go. They must make arrangements for another member of staff to supervise their
students. If this leaves supervision ratios overstretched, the member of staff must call the
Emergency Phone or Course Director to ask for assistance/advice.
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If the student doesn’t need to go to A & E, but needs minor first aid or is feeling a
little unwell:
If staff have first aid equipment with them, they can use this as necessary. If they do not
have appropriate first aid equipment, they should find a pharmacy and buy the required
items (receipts should be kept). If they are inside an attraction, they should speak to a
member of attraction staff and ask for assistance. If the student feels unwell and needs to
rest, measures should be taken for this to happen (i.e. the student could be taken to a café
or park and allowed to sit down for a while). The staff member should call the Emergency
Phone or Course Director if they are not sure whether or not the student is able to continue
on the activity or excursion. Arrangements can then be made as necessary.
5. First aid equipment
First aid containers marked with a white cross on a green background are located in the following
places around Studio Main School. The Head of Welfare is responsible for stocking and checking
the boxes on a regular basis. The Safeguarding Officer will oversee that stock is replenished
regularly. Additional first aid supplies are kept in room 24. Similar boxes and procedures are also
in at all Studio summer centres:
6 Salisbury Villas:
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Reception
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Customer Services office
Salisbury Villas:
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Groups office
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Staff room
6. Procedures for first aid staff
First aiders will have completed an approved course and hold a valid certificate of competence. All
first aiders are fully indemnified by Studio Cambridge against claims of negligence, providing they
are suitably trained and are acting within the school’s guidelines for the administration of first aid.
i. Procedure in the event of contact with blood or other bodily fluids
The
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first aider should take the following precautions to avoid risk of infection:
Cover any cuts or grazes on their own skin with a waterproof dressing
Wear disposable gloves when dealing with blood or other bodily fluids
Use devices such as face shields, where appropriate, when giving mouth to mouth
resuscitation
Wash hands after every procedure
If the first aider suspects that they or any other person may have been contaminated with
blood or other bodily fluids which are not their own, the following actions should be taken
without delay:
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Wash splashes off skin with soap and running water
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Wash splashes out of eye with tap water or an eye wash bottle
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Wash splashes out of nose or mouth with tap water, taking care not to swallow the water
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Record the details of the contamination; report the incident to the Head of Welfare and
take medical advice if appropriate
ii. Reporting accidents and incidents
All accidents are to be recorded in an accident book. There is an accident book with each first
aid kit. The accident page should be taken from the book and given to the Managing Director,
who will store the information securely.
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Reporting to parents:
In the event of accident or injury, parents must be informed as soon as possible. The
member of staff dealing with the student will notify the Head of Welfare, who in turn will
notify the Sales Team. They will decide how this information will be passed on to parents,
in liaison with agents if necessary.
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Reporting to HSE:
The school is legally required under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) to report the following to the HSE (most easily
done by phoning the Incident Contact Centre (ICC) on 0845 300 9923):
Accidents involving staff to be reported to the ICC
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Work related accidents resulting in death or major injury (including as a result of
physical violence) must be reported immediately (major injury examples: dislocation of
hip, knee or shoulder; loss of sight; fracture other than to fingers, toes or thumbs,
amputation)
Work related accidents which prevent the injured person from continuing normal work
for more than 3 days must be reported within 10 days
Cases of work related diseases that a doctor notifies the school of (for example:
occupational cancer)
Certain dangerous occurrences and near misses (for example: electrical short circuit
causing fire; accidental release of substance that may cause injury to health)
Accidents involving students or visitors to be reported to the ICC
Accidents where the person is killed or taken from the site of the accident to hospital must
be reported where the accident arises out of or in connection with:
o any school activity (on or off premises)
o the way a school activity has been organised or managed
o school equipment
o the design or condition of the school premises
More information can be obtained from http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/
iii. Procedures for dealing with students with medical conditions
The medical information from the student registration forms will be circulated to first aiders,
teachers and other staff on a need to know basis. If medical equipment needs to be stored
somewhere, this will be arranged through the Head of Welfare.
7. Administration of medication
Studio Cambridge Welfare Staff and House Managers may administer certain non-prescriptive
painkillers using the form ‘Over the counter remedies’. Studio Cambridge staff (with the
exception of a nurse, if we have employed one) are not permitted to administer any other
medicines that are not on the form.
If students require any other medicine, they will be taken to see a pharmacist, nurse or doctor for
advice.
If a student brings medicine with them, they are expected to administer it themselves. If
requested, this can be overseen by the Head of Welfare or Welfare Officer.
8. Monitoring
Studio’s Health and Safety Group will organise regular monitoring of the Company’s accident books
to take note of any trends or issues. This will form part of the annual first aid risk assessment. In
addition, the Managing Director will undertake a review of all procedures following any major
incident to check if improvements could be made.