Copy of Health and Safety | Oxford Buddhist Society

Oxford Dhamma School

Health and Safety

Safety and Safeguarding Policy

Legislation and government guidance make increasingly clear the need for all adults to play a role in safeguarding. Our association, Oxford Buddhist Society, is fully committed to complying with all UK Safeguarding legislation and guidance including the Children Act of 1989 and 2004, working together with Safeguard Children 2015 and Care Act 2016.

As an OBS/ODS volunteer, you share an important responsibility to protect and promote the safety and well-being of children, young men, young women and adults - as you help them reach their full potential through our societal activities. Hence, it is vital that you are clear about your safeguarding responsibility and about the OBS commitment to safeguarding, as set out in this document.

In particular, all volunteers must understand the procedures for recognising, responding to and referring to any concerns, allegations or disclosures of harm or abuse in accordance with the Process for receiving disclosures (Annex A) and the Process for allegations and concerns (Annex B).

What is the OBS/ODS commitment to safeguarding?

It is an OBS policy to safeguard our members, whilst they take part in OBS/ODS activities, especially those who are more vulnerable. We believe that everyone has a right to live free from abuse, exploitation, harm and fear and to enjoy being safe and well.

By following our Safeguarding Policy, procedures and guidance we make a safe space and protect the safety and well-being of all our children, young men, young women and adults.

The Policy

Our policy includes the systems, structures and procedures we have in place for safeguarding. This includes both child protection and the more proactive elements of safeguarding that ensure we create a safe space for all our children, young men, young women and adults. It also explains our values around safeguarding and how safeguarding influences all aspects of our work.

We are committed to maintaining good links with the statutory safeguarding authorities and, in particular, will refer an adult volunteer if we have significant concerns about their suitability to work with children and young people or if we have had to withdraw the person from our society and its activities.

We only share information outside of the OBS about individuals when we really need to, for example, when we know or have concerns that someone has been abused or harmed or is at risk of abuse or harm. This applies to children, young men, young women and adults, alike. We also share information when a crime has taken place or we are told it will take place. Sometimes we are asked to share information about individuals with other organisations when there is not a concern about abuse or harm. If this happens, we will only share information when we have that person’s explicit consent to do so.

What are good safeguarding behaviours?

As volunteers, you must uphold the OBS’s Values and Promise and adhere to our Code of Conduct, which sets out the standards of behaviour expected of you.

In addition, all volunteers need to follow the following safeguarding behaviours which help ensure a safe space for all of us:

Vigilance and understanding - take time to understand situations and be alert, so that you notice when something is wrong.
Early help - take action and provide support as soon as a problem emerges and before it gets any worse.
Inclusion - safeguard every individual because everyone is equally important and valuable. Everyone involved in OBS/ODS has a right to equal protection from all types of harm and abuse.
Resilience - support individuals to develop knowledge, ability and confidence to be actively involved in and responsible for their own safety and well-being and to cope with life’s challenges.
Stability - develop on-going stable relationships of trust with all those you work with; this means you are more likely to notice if something is wrong.
Respect - treat everyone with the expectation that they are responsible and accountable rather than not.
Advocacy - help others to put forward their own point of view.
Accountability - always respond if you are concerned; never assume someone else has or someone else will.

What to do if you have a concern?

If you have a concern about a child, young person or an adult in OBS/ODS, you should immediately contact Rev Wadigala Samitharathana, who is the designated Safeguarding Lead via Email: samitharathana23@gmail.com; or Tel: +44 7999 842351.

Please ensure you also read the additional information provided by the UK government on

child safety: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2.

Annex A: Process for receiving disclosures

What is a disclosure?

A disclosure is when a child, young man, young woman or an adult tells you something that has affected them, for example, about instances of abuse. Part of what OBS does is offer all involved a safe space to be themselves and say what they think.

As an OBS/ODS volunteer, the children in your care will trust you - because they feel comfortable and safe, they might discuss things that concern or affect them. This could include concerns involving another member of the OBS/ODS.

Some things that may be shared with you include self-harm, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, and you may notice signs of neglect. A child, young man, young woman or an adult also may have a concern about something that has happened online or through social media.

Discussing these things with them may be difficult to hear and tough to deal with. Following these Dos and Do nots will help you offer them the best support possible.

Do:

remain calm, approachable, and receptive
listen carefully, without interrupting
acknowledge you understand how difficult this may be
make it clear that you are taking what is said seriously
reassure them that they have done the right thing in telling you
let them know that you will do everything you can to help them
make a written record of exactly what has been said

Do not:

promise confidentiality
ask leading or probing questions
Investigate
repeatedly question or ask the person to repeat the disclosure
discuss the disclosure with people who do not need to know
delay in reporting the disclosure to the Headmaster of the Dhamma School, Rev Wadigala Samitharathana, or the Deputy Headteacher of the Dhamma School, TBC

Further information

While it is possible to spot signs or behavioural changes that may indicate that harm or abuse is taking place, it is important to remember that you should not try to ‘diagnose’ abuse based on a checklist approach.

Remember you can report anything that is making you feel concerned without needing to identify the type of abuse or harm that is taking place. You just need to explain what you have seen or heard that is worrying you.

Annex B: Process for allegations and concerns

What to do if you have a concern regarding a volunteer?

Any safeguarding concern that you may have about another volunteer must be referred to the Headmaster of the Dhamma School, Rev Wadigala Samitharathana, or the Deputy Headteacher of the Dhamma School, TBC.

If you believe that a volunteer has breached the OBS Code of Conduct, this should also be passed to the Headmaster of the Dhamma School, Rev Wadigala Samitharathana.

To report a concern:

Make a written record of your concern, including the date, time and all relevant details of the person involved, young person concerned, others involved and witnesses if there are any.
Contact the Headmaster of the Dhamma School, Rev Wadigala Samitharathana, or the Deputy Headteacher of the Dhamma School, TBC, who will inform you of the next actions to take.
Email your written record at: samitharathana23@gmail.com.

If it is an emergency - and the child, young person or the adults is at risk - inform the police or social services first, then Rev Wadigala Samitharathana.

Who to ask for support:

If you have a concern about a volunteer and require advice or support, you should contact the Headmaster of the Dhamma School, Rev Wadigala Samitharathana, or the Deputy Headteacher of the Dhamma School, TBC.

Formalised in July 2023.

First Aid & Medication Pollicy

The Policy is in accordance with the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, which went into effect in January 2015, section 5, part 24, and should be read in connection with:

The Health and Safety Policy
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Policy Applies to:

The entire Dhamma School including volunteers and staff members (academic and non-academic), students and visitors.
All activities conducted by the Dhamma School within or after normal school hours.

Statement

The Dhamma School takes its responsibility to care for the children, staff, parents, and guests seriously at all times, including off-site trips. Furthermore, the Dhamma School wants students to have 100% attendance and will try to ensure that children may attend Dhamma School every Saturday through its policies and practises.

Although teachers and other staff are not required to offer first aid, they are encouraged to utilise their best efforts at all times. The Head of the Dhamma School and the Head Teacher will support staff members who volunteer to administer first aid and will ensure that they obtain suitable training.

Qualified First Aiders:

Dr Nilusha Maheshini Dadigamuwa

While children, teachers, parents, or members of the public are on the Dhamma school premises (Oxford Dhamma School), first aid is provided at all times. It is also available during off-site trips or other activities which are organized by the Dhamma School.

The primary responsibilities of a competent first aider are to provide immediate assistance to casualties and to summon an ambulance or other professional assistance. First aiders are trained in accordance with HSE standards, and a record of first aiders and certification dates is kept. When an event necessitates treatment beyond basic first aid, first responders should be summoned.

Every member of staff is capable of administering basic first aid and dealing with normal first aid needs. This may include applying plasters, cleansing a minor wound, dealing with sick or injured children, and providing comfort and reassurance. Staff should not offer first aid for which they have not been educated. The Oxford Dhamma School Main Hall will have a first aid box.

The Dhamma School is unable to store and provide any continued regular medications. Permission is obtained from all parents and carers for staff to administer First Aid and seek emergency medical assistance when a child begins Dhamma school and will stay in place until the child departs The Dhamma School. If such consent is not obtained, a disclaimer must be written and kept in a safe location instructing the Dhamma school not to seek medical advice on behalf of the parents for the kid.

Names, qualifications, and dates of qualified individuals will be placed in the First Aid box, and a copy will be retained in the Dhamma school's staff file. First aid supplies are examined on a regular basis.

Qualified First Aiders may, on occasion, advise parents about an injury that occurred in school or an illness that became apparent in school. If a parent or guardian disregards this advice, the first aider should notify the Head Teacher or Deputy.

Protocols for First Aid/Accidents on Oxford Dhamma School Premises:

insert protocals here

Infection prevention and control

To avoid infection, employees must take measures and adhere to basic hygiene procedures.

Blood and bodily fluids (for example, faeces, vomit, saliva, urine, nasal and eye discharge) may carry pathogenic viruses or bacteria. As a result, it is critical to protect yourself and others against the risk of cross contamination. To reduce the risk of infection transmission, both staff and children should practise good personal cleanliness and be familiar with the protocol for dealing with body spillages:

Procedure for 'Spillage' of Blood and Other Body Fluids:

Get some disposable gloves from the First Aid kit and begin cleaning.
Lay absorbent towels over the damaged area to absorb the leak. Wipe up any spills with them and place them in a tie-up plastic bag.
Cover the afflicted area with more absorbent towels.
In the workplace, all gloves and towels were placed in the "medical bin."
Any contaminated clothing should be wiped down and sanitised before being placed in a plastic bag and knotted up for the parents to take home.
A severely impacted area must subsequently be blocked off until cleaned.
A service person will mop the affected area, sanitise it, and keep it cordoned off until it dries.
Soiled wipes, tissues, plasters, bandages, and so on should ideally be discarded in the clinical waste container.
When dealing with a spill, use absorbent paper hand towels on the affected area to absorb the spill.
All reusable cleaning equipment must then be properly disinfected.
Use antiseptic soap to wash your hands..

Pupil Accident/Injury Report

Reporting Accidents

Minor Accidents such as falling over in the playground, which may require a plaster and more serious accidents such as a bad fall that may require a bandage, all bumps to the head etc must be recorded in a the Dhamma school’s Accident Report (Pupil Accident / Illness at school report) and a copy of the report sent home to parents/carers when the child goes home.

The person administering the First Aid, and\or the relevant class teacher is responsible for reporting the accident and completing ‘Pupil Accident / Illness at school report’. Please find the form here: Pupil Accident/ Injury Report.

Major Injury/Serious Accidents

The following accidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) by any pupil, employee/volunteer, or person formally visiting the Dhamma school, or any parent or pupil off-site but on Dhamma school business:

An accident that causes death or serious harm

• The victim is brought to hospital from the Dhamma school or the location of the accident

• An accident that stops the injured person from completing their normal work for more than three days

The accident will also be detailed in the Pupil Accident / Illness at School report.

Fatal and Major Injuries

Fatal and major injuries must be reported to the HSE promptly by phone, and a written report (Form 2508) must be submitted within 10 days. Other reportable accidents must be recorded within 10 days on Form 2508. HSE's phone number is 0845 300 9923. Accidents must be reported to the HSE/RIDDOR and Ofsted by the Head Teacher (0300 123 1231).

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases must also be reported to the HSE/RIDDOR, Ofsted, and Oxford County Council.

Dhamma School Field Trips

All students are expected to participate in all activities, and the school will make suitable adjustments for students with specific medical requirements.

Confidentiality

All employees must maintain the confidentiality of medical information. All employees will have access to a child's medical information. Parents must be told that medical information is shared with all personnel. If a parent wishes to limit school staff knowledge about a child's medical condition or medical needs, the Head Teacher must determine whether the child's needs can be properly served and make a decision regarding the child's welfare.

Injury/infection control

The Dhamma school emphasises the health of its students and employees. To that end, the Dhamma school seeks to prevent the spread of disease.

When children are unable to attend lessons, parents are advised to care for them at home until they are able to return to Dhamma school.

The Dhamma school emphasises proper hygiene practises and recommends regular hand washing, especially after using the restroom or eating, as well as the usage of handkerchiefs when necessary.

If a child becomes ill at school, the kid's parent or guardian will be contacted and asked to pick up the child as soon as possible from Dhamma school. The child will be kept warm and comfortable while waiting for their parent/carer. At all times, a member of staff will be there with the child.

If a parent is unable to pick their kid or cannot be reached, the child will be cared for in Dhamma school until either the parent is contacted or the child is retrieved at the end of the Dhamma school day.

Last reviewed- September 2023

Food Allergies & Nut-Free Policy

Food allergies are becoming more common among children. This year there may be students in your child's classroom who have severe allergies to nuts/other allergens. Any exposure to these things, even in small amounts, could be very serious and life threatening for these children.

We do encourage our students and families to assist us in making the Dhamma school environment safer for all children by taking the following easy steps:

Please do not send any foods containing nuts to school with your kid, such as peanut butter or nutella sandwiches, muesli or health bars containing nuts. Please do not send food containing celery, eggs, fish, milk, mustard, tree nuts (including almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios, and macadamia nuts), sesame seeds, or soybeans.

If you have any doubts or queries, please contact the Class Teacher.
Please remind your child to never share food or drinks with other students.
Please carefully wash your child's face and hands before they leave the house, especially if your child has eaten nuts/allergens (list) before coming to school.
Please remind your child to wash their hands before and after eating.

Please keep in mind that if a member of staff detects a kid eating a food that could damage another child, the product will be respectfully removed and the member of staff will explain why this is necessary. A communication will then be sent to the parent to properly inform them of what has occurred.

We appreciate your cooperation and support in this subject in advance. If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the headmaster, Rev Wadigala Samitharathana or the Deputy headteacher, TBC.

Fire Evacuation Procedure

Fire Safety Officer: Mr. Yasas Samaratunga

Deputy Fire Safety Officer: …………………………………………..

Predetermined Assembly Point: ……………………………………………

Anyone who discovers a fire must immediately sound the alarm by activating the nearest fire alarm call point.

Evacuation:

1. When the fire alarm sounds, the class instructor must ask the students to leave the building in single file and in a calm, orderly manner. The teacher must accompany his or her class to the predetermined assembly point.

2. The Class Teacher must identify the exit route to be taken, and everyone must be directed to a predetermined assembly point.

3. Special measures must be made for students with physical or mental challenges to assure their assistance during evacuation. - Currently irrelevant, but will be reassessed on a regular basis.

4. To avoid panic, no running is authorised.

5. . Anyone who is not in class when the fire alarm goes off must go to the Predetermined Assembly Point promptly.

6. The class teacher is required to bring the class registers to the predetermined assembly point.

7. The class instructor must maintain their group of youngsters together at the Predetermined Assembly Point.

8. No one may re-enter the building unless directed to do so by the Fire Service in attendance, or the senior person in charge (Safety Officer and/or Deputy Fire Safety Officer) in the case of a fire evacuation drill.

Assembly Point:

1. Designate a spot outside the school grounds as an assembly point.

2. It must be clearly labelled and easily identifiable by anyone who is likely to be present.

3. The assembly point must be far enough away from the school premises to afford protection from the heat and smoke in a fire situation.

4. The assembly point must be in a position that does not put pupils and staff at risk by emergency vehicles responding to the incident.

Roll call:

1. The safety officer (or the deputy) has ultimate responsibility for ensuring that a roll call is completed in the case of a building evacuation.

2. As soon as classes have gathered at the assembly site, the class teacher must conduct a roll or count to ensure that no one remains on the grounds.

3. When the alarm goes off, the class instructors must bring attendance registers to the assembly site.

4.Each teacher must report to the designated person in charge of the evacuation procedure (Fire Safety Officer or deputy) to ensure that everyone in their responsibility is accounted for or to alert him/her of the number of people missing.

Meeting the service's requirements

On arrival, the person in charge of the roll call (fire safety officer or deputy) must identify himself/herself to the Fire Service. This allows important information to be communicated to the Fire Officer, who will then direct the required actions to be taken by the Fire Service.

Information for the Fire Service (fire safety officer or deputy should offer this; if the information is unknown, the caretaker should be present to provide it):

1. Has everyone been found?

2. If somebody is missing: How many are there? Where do they usually hang out? When and where were they last seen?

3. Where is the fire ? What is on fire? (This may not be obvious).

4. Are there any hazardous materials involved in the fire or housed in the building? (For example, chemicals, solvents, liquefied petroleum gas, or acetylene cylinders).

The frequency with which fire evacuation drills are held:

Fire drills should be held at least once every term, preferably at the start of each term. Drill records should be stored in the Dhamma School office.

Evacuation Process Map for Teachers

(Below is a set of simple instructions, teachers should refer and act as per Dhamma School Fire Evacuation Procedure)

insert diagram