The Committee considered a report that asked the Committee to approve the new Critical Incident Policy that outlined how responses to critical incidents in schools should be handled.  Once approved the Policy would be extended to cover all of the Council. A draft copy of the Critical Incident Policy was appended to the report as well as a Notification of a Critical Incident Form.

The report explained that as a result of a recent Independent Learning Review the Council had drafted a new Critical Incident Policy for schools. The formal Action Plan that had arisen from the Independent Learning Review was due to be considered at the Adult Social Care, Children’s Services and Education Committee on 22 July 2024.

The report went on to explain that a critical incident was one where there had been a death or serious injury within the school community or where the school had had to instigate their Rainbow Plans (schools Emergency Response Plans). The primary purpose of this Policy was to ensure that the school, the Council and other stakeholders could respond to and learn from critical incidents. The Policy set out processes, roles and responsibilities, providing clarity for all those involved in a critical incident. It also confirmed when an independent learning review should take place.

Resolved:    That the new Critical Incident Policy be approved.