INTRODUCTION This policy, reflecting the Mission Statement of Mercy Primary, concerns the school s reaction to a Critical Incident i.e. any incident or sequence of events which overwhelms the normal coping mechanisms of the school e.g. sudden death/serious accident/injury/natural disaster/school intrusion involving student/teacher/ staff member/parent etc. This policy is concerned with reflecting the mission statement of Mercy Primary (and supporting our health and safety statement and policies in all other related areas e.g. policy on countering bullying, policy on child welfare and protection, policy on school tours etc); ensuring the School s reaction in an ordered and orderly manner to any Critical Incidents (as outlined above) which may occur; RATIONALE /VISION The rational for this policy is for clarity, in advance, regarding identification of specific tasks and key roles in the performance of specific tasks and in supporting the children of the school in the immediate aftermath of a critical incident in the days immediately succeeding such incident. AIMS The policy, in the event of a Critical Incident, aims to: retain an ordered and orderly environment in Mercy Primary provide guidance for pupils, teachers and parents; facilitate co-operation among staff and between staff, parents and pupils; provide clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved; develop a team approach to coping; foster a strong sense of community within the school with shared insights and recognition of differing needs; maintain a safe environment for pupils, parents and staff of the school; take account of the particular needs and circumstances of the school and the particular event. Page 1 of 9
POLICY CONTENT Critical Incidents A critical incident is any incident or sequence of events which overwhelms the normal coping mechanisms of the school e.g. Pupils Death of pupil(s) Serious injury to pupil(s) Abduction of pupil(s) Disappearance of pupil(s) Parents Death of parent(s) Serious injury to parent(s) Disappearance of parent(s) Staff Death of staff member(s) Serious injury to staff member(s) Disappearance of staff member (s) Attack within school on staff member Criminal proceedings against school/staff member Death/injury/disappearance etc. of member of staff/ members family Other Members of School Community Death of member(s) Serious injury to member(s) Disappearance of member (s) Page 2 of 9
Other Epidemic/Pandemic Damage to school building/plant Natural Disaster (flood etc.) (The above is not exhaustive) A Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT- See Appendix 1) will be established in the school to lead and co-ordinate such actions as are necessary and desirable in the event of an incident. Membership of this team shall be reviewed annually and the team will review and update the Plan annually. Key roles will be identified in advance and allocated to members of the CIMT. All relevant information will be available to the CIMT e.g. telephone numbers text group (parents, staff, ) appropriate external professionals etc. Key contact details of the relevant individuals (parents, staff members, board members, etc.) shall be kept on file/electronically and in hard copy to facilitate speedy contact. These shall be updated annually in Sept./Oct by class teachers. A list of emergency contact numbers (gardai, hospital, fire brigade etc.) shall be provided to each individual staff member and shall also be displayed in public areas e.g. Staff Room, Roll Office. These shall be updated annually in September/ October. Templates for issue to parents shall be prepared and ready to go with only minor amendments. A template for a press release shall also be prepared. (See Appendix 2) In the event of a Critical Incident : - a telephone line (currently 091-561522) shall be kept free for important incoming and outgoing calls; - rooms, other than classrooms, may be used for specific purposes e.g. Parents Room for meeting parents/parents meetings, Rolla Room for individual/group meetings, etc; - contact shall be made by the CIMT with relevant professional agencies seeking support for involved parties (e.g. pupils, parents, school community) - account shall be taken of the different ethnic and religious backgrounds of families; All offers of help shall be logged in so far as is possible; Normal school business shall continue in so far as is possible; Each staff member shall be provided with a copy of the Critical Incident Plan, (Appendix 3) together with copies of relevant pre-prepared letters and these shall be kept in the School Procedures & Plan file in each classroom as well as in the Principal s Office; Page 3 of 9
Roles & Responsibilities The Board of Management shall implement the policy; receive reports from the principal on implementation of the policy. The Principal, CIMT, Staff and B.O.M. shall monitor implementation of the policy. The Staff shall Support, contribute to and implement the policy. Parents shall support school policy; contribute to school policy through the CIMT. Performanc Criteria Successful implementation of the policy in the event of a Critical Incident. Review The policy will be reviewed annually Page 4 of 9
APPENDIX 1 Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) Rena Jordan Siobhán Morahan Ms. Anne Walsh Nora Griffin Marian Fleming (Principal) (Deputy Principal) (Special Duties) (HSCL-0851121001) (School Secretary) Page 5 of 9
APPENDIX 2 TEMPLATES Page 6 of 9
APPENDIX 3 CRITICAL INCIDENT ACTION PLAN Individual Task Principal Team Leader - Overall management of response to Incident Principal & Deputy Principal External liaison outside support agencies, the media, visitors etc. Special Duties Teacher Liaise with staff HSCL Liaise with parents School Secretary Admin. Support for all of the above Page 7 of 9
PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE EVENT OF A CRITICAL INCIDENT A - IMMEDIATE ACTIONS Principal R. Jordan Deputy Principal S. Morahan Special Duties Anne Walsh Home School Community Liaison Co-ordinator Nora Griffin School Secretary M. Fleming Support Teaching Staff Caretaker Convene meeting of CIMT team Co-ordinate tasks of team Liaise with B.O.M., N.E.P.S., D.E.S., Media, Gardai etc. depending on incident. Liaise with N.E.P.S., Gardai and such other agencies as circumstances dictate; etc. Liaise with pupils; Keep records of students seen by external agency staff; Look after setting up and supervision of specific rooms where needed e.g. quiet room Liaise with staff briefing meetings, procedures to be followed, provide updates, be alert to needs of vulnerable staff members, advise staff of availability of the EAS and provide the contact number. Liaise with Committee of School Parents Association; Liaise with wider parent body; Provide administrative support to above team members to facilitate completion of tasks; Work with above members as and where the need arises; Monitor callers to school Page 8 of 9
B - MEDIUM TERM ACTIONS Whole Staff Review Events of first day CIMT Team Review needs of individuals/groups within school community and where necessary/ relevant, arrange support; CIMT Team Principal/Class Teacher/Home School Community Liaison Plan introduction of normalcy to school life; Plan visit(s) to family of injured/bereaved or to injured; Liaise with family around funeral arrangements; Attend Services Principal Liaise with B.O.M./D.E.S. re school closure C - LONG TERM ACTIONS Whole Staff (in particular class teachers and support teachers) Monitor students for signs of continuing stress CIMT Team/Whole Staff/Board of Management Evaluate response to incident and amend CIMP where necessary Page 9 of 9