SENSE Learning - Communicable Diseases Policy

This Communicable Diseases Policy is made accessible to all Parents, Students, Local Authorities, Schools and SENse Learning associates.

Person responsible for ensuring that these policies are implemented and reviewed in line with the review dates: Sophie Amos, Operational Director

Introduction & Purpose

This policy is the Communicable Diseases Policy for SENse Learning, which will be followed by all members of the organisation and promoted by those in leadership roles. It applies to all students, associates, visitors, contractors, and members of the public who engage with SENse Learning.
The purpose of this policy is to:

• Support and promote good practice in managing communicable diseases.

• Provide clear procedures for communication, internal and external notification, and safety.

• Set out responsibilities and actions to manage risk, including during outbreaks or confirmed cases.

• Ensure compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and guidance.

Policy Principles & Values

• SENse Learning aims to reduce the risk of communicable diseases spreading among students, staff, associates, and the wider community.

• All staff and associates will be aware of the processes to follow if they or others develop, or are exposed to, a communicable disease.

• The organisation will work in conjunction with public health authorities, following official guidance at all times.

• Risk assessments will be carried out for associates, staff, students, visitors, and contractors, and reviewed regularly.

• SENse Learning will maintain confidentiality while ensuring the safety of all.

Definitions

There are specific diseases or illnesses which can transmit from one person to another. For the purpose of this document we will term these Communicable Diseases, however, this is not an exhaustive list:

• Fungal infections.

• Headlice

• STDs/ STIs.

• Covid

  • Diahorrea and Vomiting

  • Measles

  • Flu

  • Hepatitis

  • Chicken Pox

  • Monkey Pox

Not all the above will pose a significant risk, however, the risk of transmission and the risk of contraction should be considered. It is important that actions are taken appropriately to prevent further transmission, the correct medical advice is sought and any actions required taken.

Risk Assessment

Students, associates, employees and visitors may be at different levels of risk if they contract a contagious illness.

• Risk assessments will consider individual health vulnerabilities, immunisation status, ability to comply with health measures, and local outbreak data.

• Personal risk assessments will be undertaken for any staff, associates or students with additional vulnerabilities, i.e. family, if they have other caring responsibilities or work with other vulnerable people.

• Separate assessments will be in place for visitors, contractors, and members of the public if required.

Risk Assessments will also consider the need to notify appropriate persons/professionals in the event of a concern or confirmed case. Consideration will also be given as to how transmission may occur within the home, and to associates and this will further be supported by the following policies:

• Health and Safety Policy

• Business Continuity Plan

Concerns

In the event of a concern of a communicable disease as defined in this policy it is important that the appropriate response be enacted. Even if a person is unsure, this process should be followed until it is confirmed by a medical professional that the concern is unsubstantiated.

The severity, potential for transmission and risks to other people of communicable illnesses can vary from each illness to the people at risk.

These are the three types of concerns:

1. Self-reported concern - a person has a contagious illness or symptoms and are self-reporting symptoms / issues / concerns.

2. Contact concern - a person or professional has alerted that they have had contact with someone who has been confirmed or suspected to have a contagious disease.

3. Observational or situational concern – concerns raised because of a incident, behaviour or observation by another person.

Outbreak Management

An outbreak is a sudden increase in occurrences of a serious disease whereby cases are in excess of normal expectancy for the location or season. In addition to the practice/s already outlined in this policy, an outbreak can be managed effectively by:

• Encouraging all individuals who are unwell not to attend the home or office, or remain separate from others, wherever possible.

• Ensuring all eligible groups are enabled and supported to take up the offer of immunisation programmes – for example coronavirus or flu.

• Ensuring occupied spaces are well ventilated and let fresh air in.

• Reinforcing good hygiene practices (frequent cleaning & hand hygiene etc).

• Communications to raise awareness among associates, families, employees and visitors.

• Reinforcing key government messages amongst associates, families, employees and visitors.

• Having discussions with GP about the support they can offer, particularly, where a student’s family may face barriers to accessing health care.

Internal & External Notification

In the event of a concern regarding a communicable disease associates or employees should:

• Inform a manager immediately.

• Seek appropriate medical advice and act on it.

• Inform partner agencies/regulators where required.

Certain communicable diseases are also known as ‘notifiable diseases’ as they have a significant public health implication – please refer to Appendix A for the current list. GP’s have a statutory duty to notify the ‘proper officer’ at their local council or health Protection Team of suspected cases of certain infectious diseases.

Roles and Responsibilities

SENse Learning Ltd will endeavour to fulfil the following responsibilities.

• To work in conjunction with and on the advice of UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to inform associates, employees, families, professionals and any recent visitors as soon as possible, following notification of a confirmed case, or suspected outbreak of an communicable disease.

• To ensure sufficient information is made available to everyone who is deemed to have been in close contact with or proximity to the infected individual within the period prior to diagnosis (please note: statutory guidance may vary depending on the type of contagious disease: therefore, SENse Learning Ltd will adhere to the advice provided by UKHSA).

• To assist UKHSA by providing as detailed information as possible in relation to a suspected case/outbreak by completing contact tracing for associates, employees, students and/or visitors.

Managers will:

• Ensure this policy is implemented.

• Oversee risk assessments and outbreak response.

• Liaise with UKHSA and other relevant bodies.

Associates and Employees will:

• Follow communicable disease procedures.

• Report concerns promptly.

• Cooperate with risk assessments and outbreak measures.

Record Keeping and Reporting

• All incidents will be recorded following SENse Learning’s reporting procedures.

• Records will be kept for the period required by law and securely disposed of thereafter.

• Notifiable diseases will be reported in accordance with statutory requirements (see Appendix A).

Training

• All associates will receive training on this policy and communicable disease management.

• Refresher training will be provided following any significant policy changes or legislative updates.

Review and Compliance

• This policy will be reviewed annually or after significant operational, legislative, or workforce changes.

Appendix A – Current List of Notifiable Communicable Diseases

• Acute encephalitis

• Acute infectious hepatitis

• Acute meningitis

• Acute poliomyelitis

• Anthrax

• Botulism

• Brucellosis

• Cholera

• COVID-19

• Diphtheria

• Enteric fever (typhoid or paratyphoid fever)

• Food poisoning

• Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS)

• Infectious bloody diarrhoea

• Invasive group A streptococcal disease

• Legionnaires’ disease

• Leprosy

• Malaria

• Measles

• Meningococcal septicaemia

• Mumps

• Plague

• Rabies

• Rubella

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

• Scarlet fever

• Smallpox

• Tetanus

• Tuberculosis

• Typhus

• Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF)

• Whooping cough

• Yellow fever