ACCIDENT REPORTING
Childcare setting:
All registered childcare providers
When:
When there is an accident leading to serious injury or fatality resulting from the operation of the childcare setting
Legally required to notify:
- Enforcing authority for accidents at work – Health and Safety Executive or Local Authority
(Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 – RIDDOR) - Ofsted (England), Care Inspectorate Scotland, Care Inspectorate Wales
- Child Protection Agency
Keep records of all accidents in an accident book or similar recording system
Report to the HSE or Local Authority under RIDDOR:
- When there is an injury to a child requiring general practitioner or hospital treatment or the death of a child on the premises or subsequently at home as a result of the operations of the childcare setting
Report to Ofsted:
- The death of a child while on the premises or later as a result of something that happened while the child was in your care
- Death or serious accident or serious injury to any other person on your premises (Childcare register only)
- Serious injury (see below)
- When a child in your care is taken to hospital (to accident and emergency for more than 24 hours) either directly from the setting, or later as a result of something that happened while the child was in your care#
Report to Care Inspectorate Scotland
The Care Inspectorate regards accidents requiring notification as unforeseen events resulting in harm or injury to a person using the service which result in:
• a GP visit
• a visit or referral to hospital
• an injury reportable under Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR).
Note: record all other accidents and make the information available for inspection. An incident is a serious, unplanned event that has the potential to cause harm or loss, physical, financial or material.
Link to Care Inspectorate Scotland Factsheet
Report to Local Child Protection agency:
- Early years register
- Serious accident, injury, or death of a child
Ofsted defines serious injuries as:
- Broken bone or fracture
- Loss of consciousness
- Pain that is not relieved by pain killers
- Acute confused state
- Persistent severe chest pains or breathing difficulties
- Amputation
- Dislocation of any major joint
- Loss of sight (temporary or permanent)
- Chemical burn
- Injury resulting from electric shock – unconsciousness or resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours
- Any other injury leading to hypothermia, heat-induced illness or unconsciousness, or requiring resuscitation; or requiring admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours
- Unconsciousness caused by asphyxia or exposure to a harmful substance or biological agent
Ofsted – not required to inform of minor injuries:
- Sprains and strains
- Cuts and grazes
- Wound infections
- Minor burns and scalds
- Minor head injuries
- Insect and animal bites
- Minor eye injuries
- Minor injuries to the back, shoulder or chest
Reference:
Serious accidents, injuries and deaths that registered providers must notify to Ofsted and local child protection agencies February 2011, No. 110009