Administration of First Aid Policy

1. Overview

1.1. Purpose

Children, staff and volunteers have the right to immediate first aid attention. Our approach to first aid will ensure that our duty of care is met for children, staff and other stakeholders.

1.2. Scope

Children, staff and volunteers have the right to immediate first aid attention. Our approach to first aid will ensure that our duty of care is met for children, staff and other stakeholders.

1.3. Paramountcy Principle

At JAG, the safety, rights and best interests of children are our paramount consideration in all aspects of our operations. In the delivery of education and care services, every decision, action and interaction must prioritize the wellbeing, protection, and dignity of children above all other considerations. JAG has a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and misconduct.

All JAG people are required to act in a manner that safeguards children, upholds their rights, and promotes environments that are safe, inclusive, and respectful. Where competing priorities arise, the best interests of the child will always guide decision-making.

1.4. Legislative Requirements

Under the Education and Care Services National Regulations, JAG is required to have policies and procedures in place to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of the children in care.

2. Policy Statement

When an incident or emergency occurs, affected children and JAG People will have immediate access to first aid attention. Our policy and practices will ensure that equipment and facilities are available to team members and children.

Principles

2.1. Duty of Care

JAG has a duty of care to respond to events requiring first aid administration. In the event of an incident, appropriate first aid will be applied by a JAG person with the appropriate and relevant state-based qualifications.

2.2. Appropriately Skilled Workforce

A Trained Team Member (with current first aid qualifications) will be on duty whenever the Service is in operation and will assess and respond to incidents during service hours. All permanent team members will be encouraged to undertake an approved first aid qualification appropriate to children and maintain currency of training.

Staff rosters ensure that there are always two team members on site (excluding Single Staff Model Service), including one with a current first aid certificate.

It is the responsibility of the Service Coordinator or Responsible Person to ensure that at least one educator holds the appropriate certification and is in attendance at all times that children are being cared for by the service, including on excursions and during periods of transition. This will be reflected in the service roster.

The Service Leaders will periodically audit the service’s compliance with this policy and maintain copies of certification on employee files.

2.3. Communication to Families

Information about managing incidents, injuries, illness, emergencies and trauma will be provided to families through various communication channels.

Service Leaders will inform parents/guardians and soon as practical. Service Leaders will inform the relevant authority within 24 hours of any injury or incident which may require further medical attention.

2.4. Information and Record Keeping

Telephone numbers of emergency services, local doctors and the Poisons Information Service and up-to-date emergency procedures will be displayed prominently in the Service.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, asthma and anaphylaxis posters will be displayed in all relevant areas, including outdoors, where possible.

Team Members will document all first aid administered on an incident report, which is made available to parents/guardians.

2.5. First Aid Kit

The first aid kit will be clearly labelled and readily accessible.

A separate travelling first aid kit will be maintained and taken on all excursions. A risk assessment will be completed before excursions that considers procedures for the potential administration of first aid at excursion locations, venues and while in transit.

Each first aid kit will be checked each term to ensure it is fully stocked and that all stock is within the expiry date. 02T032 First Aid and Toileting Checklist will be used to document these checks.

The first aid box contents and the onsite Team Members must also comply with workplace and occupational health and safety laws relevant to each jurisdiction, national laws and regulations and any human resource occupational and workplace health and safety policies.

2.6. Administration of First Aid

In an emergency, a Trained Team Member will administer first aid. First aid will be administered in any situation where a child, staff member, visitor, or volunteer sustains an injury or becomes unwell while at the service. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Minor injuries (e.g. cuts, scrapes, insect bites, bruises)

• Head injuries (regardless of perceived severity)

• Burns or scalds

• Allergic reactions, including suspected anaphylaxis

• Asthma-related episodes

• Choking incidents

• Seizures or convulsions

• Heat-related illnesses (e.g. dehydration, heat exhaustion)

• Sudden onset of illness (e.g. vomiting, high fever, loss of consciousness) or any other situation requiring immediate and supportive medical care.

The decision to administer first aid will be made by a first aid-qualified Team Member in the event of minor injuries or when a person requires medical intervention. The following basic processes will be considered:

Initial Assessment:

Assess the individual’s condition and determine the appropriate first aid response based on the nature and severity of the incident.

Immediate Response, in accordance with:

• Approved first aid training

• The individual’s medical management plan (e.g. for asthma or anaphylaxis)

• The service’s emergency management procedures

Use of First Aid Equipment:

All first aid kits are maintained to meet the requirements outlined in the First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice and are easily accessible. Kits include age-appropriate supplies and equipment, and adrenaline auto-injectors and asthma relievers are available where required. Detailed lists of first aid kits contents are available in 02T032 First Aid and Toileting Checklist

Ongoing Monitoring:

The individual will be closely monitored following the provision of first aid, and escalation to emergency services will be made if there is any deterioration in condition.

Emergency services (000) will be contacted immediately if:

• The person is unresponsive or has altered consciousness

• There is difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, suspected fractures, or head/spinal trauma

• An allergic reaction progresses to anaphylaxis

• A seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or is the first occurrence

• A person is experiencing chest pain, suspected heart attack or stroke

• The situation is life-threatening or beyond the capacity of first aiders

2.7. Supervision

Team Members will support each other when managing first aid, ensuring immediate risks are eliminated and that all children at the Service are adequately supervised while first aid is administered. Comfort will be provided to other children involved in an incident or suffering trauma. Clear communication must be upheld between team members when managing incidents and supervising children.

Injured persons will be kept under adult supervision until they recover or until an Authorised Nominee takes charge of them. Where possible, a delegated team member will accompany an injured child in the ambulance to hospital until the child’s family arrives.

2.8. First Aid Waste

First aid waste will be disposed of appropriately to prevent cross-infection and contamination. Waste will be placed in a bag that can be sealed and then placed in a suitable disposal unit that is not readily accessible to children.

2.9. Families’ Responsibilities

Families and carers must be contactable, either directly or through emergency contacts listed on the child’s enrolment record, in the event of an incident requiring the administration of first aid.

Families must provide consent (via the enrolment record) for a team member to administer first aid and call an ambulance if required.

Parents/guardians must be provided an opportunity to review the Incident, Injury, Trauma or Illness Record upon collection of their child. They will be encouraged to sign a copy of the record and can also request a copy be provided to them via email, or otherwise, from the service leader.

It is a requirement of the child's enrolment to have current emergency contacts listed in their enrolment record.

2.10. Child Safety

Children’s health, wellbeing and safety is priority within our Service. Policies and practices reflect the relevant legislation, including the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. JAG provides policies and procedures to equip JAG people with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to keep children safe. Service practices are continuously reviewed and improved to ensure current legislation is in effect throughout the business. As part of our procedures, communication with families must be upheld to ensure they can be informed and involved in the event of an incident.

3. Key Terms

Authorised Nominee:

• A person appointed by the enrolling parent/guardian or family member to collect the child from the care of the Service; this person must be fit for duty of care responsibility and identified upon arrival to the Service

JAG people:

• Any adult that governs, manages, conducts work for or provides activities to JAG in a paid or unpaid activity spanning all levels of the organisational structure

Trained Team Member:

• Staff who have completed accredited training in the treatments or techniques required to administer medication and hold current first aid, anaphylaxis management and emergency asthma management training qualifications approved by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority

Team Mamber:

• JAG People who work directly with children.

Service Leader:

• Anyone who oversees the Service in one of the following roles:

  1. The Approved Provider; if the approved provider is an individual, in other cases, a person with management or control of the Service

  2. The Nominated Supervisor of the Service

  3. A Responsible Person who has been placed in day-to-day charge of the Service in the absence of the Nominated Supervisor.

4. References

Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations

St John’s Ambulance
Essential First Aid: A practical and easy guide to first aid
National Quality Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care and School Care
Children Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010
Educational and Care Services National Regulations
Australian Resuscitation Council

Other Relevant Legislation

Regulation 12 – Meaning of serious incident
Regulation 85 - Incident, injury, trauma and illness policies and procedures
Regulation 86 – Notification to parents of incident, injury, trauma and illness
Regulation 87 – Incident, injury, trauma and illness record
Regulation 89 – First aid kits
Regulation 136 – First aid qualifications
Regulation 137 – Approval of qualifications
Regulation 145 – Staff record
Regulation 146 – Nominated supervisor
Regulation 147 – Staff members
Regulation 161 – Authorisations to be kept in enrolment record
Regulation 168 – Education and care Service must have policies and procedures
Regulation 170 – Policies and procedures to be followed
Regulation 171 – Policies and procedures to be kept available
Regulation 172 – Notification of change to policies or procedures
Regulation 245 – Person taken to hold approved first aid qualification

Related Policies

Emergency and Risk Management Policy
Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Policy
Medical Management Policy

Related Procedures

02P004 Medical and Health Management Procedure
02P005 Incident, Illness, Trauma and Injury Procedure
02P006 Health and Hygiene Procedure
Onboarding and credentialling

Other

Quality Area 4: Standard 4.1
Quality Area 2: Elements 2.1.1, 2.1.2
OCG Guide to Child Safe Standards - https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-scheme
CCYP Child safe Standards - https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/
National Principles for Child Safe Organisations - https://childsafe.humanrights.gov.au/national-principles

Version: 3.2
Change History: JAG Policy Change Register
Date Approved: 15/06/2026
Date Implemented: 29/06/2026
Document Owner Quality: Service Development
Document Approvers: CEO / Approved Provider
Next Review: 12 Months