Death at the centre policy.
How we respond if a child, staff member, or visitor passes away at the centre.
Aim: Educators or the Nominated Supervisor will ensure that immediate and appropriate action is taken to notify any relevant authorities in the event of the death of a child, staff member or visitor whilst at the Centre.
The staff member who discovers the death of a child must immediately observe:
DRSABCD (as per first aid training).
Call an ambulance immediately on 000.
CPR must be continued until medical assistance arrives.
On being notified of the death of a child, the nominated supervisor or responsible person in charge of the service must immediately cause notice of the fact to be given to:
a parent/guardian of the child and arrange to meet at the hospital or medical facility. Medical staff will advise parent/guardian.
State police department.
the Regulatory Authority.
the Approved Provider of the service.
Contact Insurance Company.
A staff member (senior staff) is to travel with the child to hospital and stay with the child until parents/guardian arrive.
The staff member is to support the parents/guardian at the hospital and offer help e.g., call other family members. The staff member is to stay until no longer needed.
Remaining staff is to call in relief staff.
Director to arrange for counselling for all staff and other children.
Death of a Child
Notification of a Serious Incident
The death of a child being educated and cared for at the service or following an incident while being educated and cared for at the service, is a “serious incident” under the national law. The Approved Provider will notify the regulatory authority as soon as practicable and within 24 hours of the death through the online NQA ITS.
The documentation will be kept until the end of 7 years after the death.
Work Health and Safety (WHS) requirements
The death of a person is a “notifiable incident” under the work, health, and safety legislation. The Approved Provider or Nominated Supervisor must notify WorkCover by telephone or in writing (including by facsimile or email) as soon as possible after the death. Records of the incident must be kept for at least 5 years from the date that the incident is notified. The Approved Provider/Nominated Supervisor must ensure the site where the death occurred is left undisturbed as much as possible until an inspector arrives or as directed by WorkCover.
Death of an Educator
Where an Educator or staff member requires urgent medical attention while at the service:
The Nominated Supervisor (or Responsible Person in day to day charge of the service if Nominated Supervisor ill) will immediately call an ambulance on 000.
A first aid trained educator will immediately commence appropriate first aid which may include CPR. The educator will be guided by advice from ambulance personnel once contact with emergency services has been made.
The Nominated Supervisor (or Responsible Person) will call the educator or staff member’s next of kin and advise to which hospital or medical facility the ambulance is heading.
In the tragic event the educator or staff member passes away at the service or as a result of an incident at the service, the Nominated Supervisor (or Responsible Person) will:
Call triple 000 for advice if this has not already occurred (and the death occurs at the service)
Notify the local police station of the death and follow any advice given.
Notify the WHS Regulator by telephone immediately they become aware of the death. If requested to follow-up in writing, this must be done as soon as possible after the death.
Keep records of the incident for at least 5 years from the date that the incident is notified to the WHS Regulator. (Note we advise keeping records for 7 years for regulatory purposes).
Ensure the site where the death occurred is left undisturbed as much as possible until an inspector arrives or as directed by the Regulator.
Notify the Regulatory Authority as soon as practicable and within 24 hours of the death through the online NQA ITS.
If the Nominated Supervisor has passed away, advise the regulatory authority in writing about the new Nominated Supervisor within 14 days of the death through the online NQA ITS.
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and educators/staff members at the service, the Nominated Supervisor (or Responsible Person) will:
Implement service emergency procedures (e.g., service lockdown) if there is a risk of harm to children or educators/staff members.
Offer counselling/support services for children, families, and staff if any are traumatised by the death. Authorisation will be obtained from parents before children receive any support services.
Take steps to ensure children continue to be adequately supervised e.g., calling in relief staff to maintain ratios or where necessary requiring families to collect children.
Allow employees to attend the deceased person’s funeral if they wish and consider the necessity and practicality of closing the service on the day of the funeral.
Sourced: Education and Care Services National Regulations
National Quality Standard
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017
Sources
- Centre Support
This policy is the property of Eikoh Seminar Australia Pty Limited and must not be reproduced without the consent of management.