Memorandum submitted by Michele Johnson

 

With teachers being in sole charge of a large group of young persons for long periods of time it is important that they are able to not only impart knowledge to them but also that they are able to react to events as they occur. They should all have a current First Aid Certificate. As first aid is exactly what it says. It is aid that can be given whilst more specialist help is sought by others if necessary. It is inconceivable that we put people in a situation where they have personal responsibility for others well being and yet may not have had any training to enable them to. This should apply to all teachers currently working and Teaching Assistants. There are teaching assistants who for various reasons find themselves in sole charge of a large group of young persons and for this reason they should be included in the compulsory First Aid Certificate.

 

As part of the First Aid Certificate there should be an element of Diabetes awareness. With the growing number of newly diagnosed children with Type One Diabetes some training in awareness and control should be compulsory in the First Aid Certificate.

 

The strict adherence of schools to Health and Safety without reference to a proper risk assessment has lead to a situation where activities are being withdrawn from the agenda because there is a risk. These risks in general are not being properly assessed in severity and leading to schools taking the safe line. Some training is required in the matter of assessing the likelihood and potential severity of that likelihood. We have schools who do not allow use of the sand pit for long jump but allow children to jump on hard surfaces. We have children who are not allowed to play in the playground when it snows. Some guidelines are required to apply the Health and Safety and Risk assessment more evenly.

 

With the Risk Assessment and Health and Safety in mind the role of a First Aid Certificate for all Staff would reduce potential risks and aid the improved severity of those potential risks.

 

Please consider the above in your discussions.

 

Michele Johnson

Radway

Warwickshire

 

January 2009