Contingency Plan for Coping with Crisis
Policy document
CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR COPING WITH CRISES
The Senior Leadership Team and Governors have developed the following contingency plan
which should be put into effect when any crisis affecting the whole school or individual
members of the school (pupils, staff or parents) or groups of school members, occurs. It
involves the following steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identifying Potential Critical Incidents
Identifying Support Agencies and Personnel
Developing a School Critical Incident Management Plan
Clarifying Roles - for all Personnel.
The Senior Leadership Team and Governors follow the County Council Red Book on dealing
with critical incidents and trauma management.
1.
The identification of potential crises
These may include the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)
o)
2.
Death of a pupil or teacher
Violence and assault in school
Destruction or vandalism of part of the school.
Pupil or teacher being taken hostage
Road, sea or air traffic accident involving pupils
Natural disaster in the community
Death or injuries on school journeys
Civil disturbances and terrorism
Abuse, sexual or physical of pupil
Pregnancy of pupil
Absconding of pupil from school or activity.
Death or serious injury to parent or guardian.
Fire or bomb damage.
Pupil missing during residential or day outing.
Other
Support Agencies and Personnel
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
Education Welfare Officer
Pupils Section County Hall
Educational Psychologist
Police Liaison Officer
Social Services Area Teams
Bethel Clinic
School Medical Officer
School Nurse
Accident and Emergency Department, Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
Clinical Psychology Department, Little Plumstead Hospital.
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Parkside School
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School Policy Contingency Plan for Coping with Crisis
Contingency Plan for Coping with Crisis
k)
l)
m)
n)
3.
Policy document
Local Church Leaders
County Transport Officer
Fire Liaison Officer
Local Safeguarding Teams.
Action Plan and delegated responsibilities (see also the Red Book)
Task
Time-scale
1.
Obtain factual information at start of crisis
within hours
2.
Senior Leadership Team meet
within hours
3.
Support personnel contacted and discussion with
Senior Team or delegates
within hours
4.
Establish an intervention team
within hours
5.
Contact families
within hours:
continue until all
informed.
6.
Inform Chair of Governors
same day
7.
Call Staff Meeting to give information
same day if practicable
8.
Inform pupils in small groups
same day if practicable
9.
Arrange a debriefing for staff involved in the disaster
same day if practicable
10. Debriefing for pupils involved in disaster
as soon as possible
allowing for health and
safety
11. Identify high risk pupils and staff
next few days
12. Identify need for group or individual treatment
incrementally over days
or weeks
13. Organise treatment, etc
as required.
14.Refer all press enquiries to the head or in the case of a major disaster to the
critical incident support team.
15.In case of fire or bomb alert put into action the Emergency Evacuation
Procedures outlined
Reviewed Spring 2014
Parkside School
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School Policy Contingency Plan for Coping with Crisis
Contingency Plan for Coping with Crisis
Policy document
4. Clarifying Roles - of all Personnel
Roles of all personnel in the Senior Leadership Team are laid out in the Red
Book.
The office staff should be aware of the procedures for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Calling the fire brigade - a copy of the procedures is displayed in a prominent
place (see copy)
Bomb call checklist (see copy)
Procedure for alerting police in the event of a bomb call
Procedure for dealing with an incident involving children/staff out of school,
which is phoned in
The Head Teacher (or most senior teacher present)
It is the Head Teacher’s decision to contact any of the emergency services.
He/She will listen to office staff or medical staff and will act on the advice given.
He/she is the only person who has permission to speak to the press. In the event
of a serious disaster this decision will be deferred to the critical incident team and a
press black out will be imposed.
Senior Leadership Team
They will need to assemble to respond to the action plan.
Co-ordinators/general staff
It will be the responsibility of this team of people to maintain calm among the
children and to supervise them until alternative arrangements are in place.
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
In the event of an emergency such as a fire, bomb alert, etc. the fire alarm will be
rung. The fire procedures will be followed. The building will be evacuated and the
school will assemble on the main playground. A roll call will be held. Children will
not be expected to bring out coats or bags. They will be left in the building. A
decision will then be made by the Head Teacher or the Fire/Police officer in charge
to evacuate the school grounds. If this is the case the school will withdraw to the
Recreation Road Sports Centre playground on Recreation Road. The facilities of
this school will then be used until children can be safely sent home. (N.B. this is a
reciprocal arrangement)
Conduct
Reviewed Spring 2014
Parkside School
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School Policy Contingency Plan for Coping with Crisis
Policy document
Contingency Plan for Coping with Crisis
Teachers should give clear, precise instructions. They should maintain a head
count and use their staff to supervise the pupils appropriately.. Calmness by the
teacher supervising will help children to remain calm and reduce anxiety.
Children should be quiet, stand still when asked to, form a line and on instruction
from their teacher proceed at a steady pace to the new assembly point.
Useful Contacts
Contact
Name
Phone Number
LA Communications Officer
Kate Gooding
01603/224214
Chair of Governors
Mrs S Gamble
01603/661156 work
01603 623629 home
School Nurse
Emma Fredricks
01603/508943
Police/Fire Brigade
LADO (Child Protection)
999
LADO TEAM
Norfolk County Council &
Childrens Services
01603/223473
07623 912974
With regard to a suspected gas leak.
Room 39 and the dining room/kitchen are the most likely places to have a gas leak.
If a leak is suspected a member of the SLT should be contacted immediately who will
then make a decision as to a course of action. Site Manager to be contacted as soon as
possible.
It is likely that the school will be evacuated as soon as possible and evacuated on the
same principle as if there was a bomb scare.
Evaluation
This policy will be reviewed by the Deputy Head Teacher. They will ensure that the policy is
up to date and relevant to current practice. In addition they will check that is reflects current
legislation with regard to confidentiality.
Reviewed Spring 2014
Parkside School
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School Policy Contingency Plan for Coping with Crisis
Contingency Plan for Coping with Crisis
Signed.................................................... To be Reviewed Spring 2015
Dated.................................................
Reviewed Spring 2014
Parkside School
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School Policy Contingency Plan for Coping with Crisis
Policy document