SENSE Learning - Emergency Procedures Policy

This is SENse Learning's Emergency Procedures Policy. It applies to SENse Learning's employees and to the self-employed associates who deliver sessions to students through SENse Learning.

Associates' obligations under this policy arise from SENse Learning's safeguarding duties and its contracts with commissioners, and form part of their contract for services. They do not create an employment or worker relationship.

Introduction & Purpose

This policy is the Emergency Procedure Policy for SENse Learning which will be followed by all members of the Organisation and promoted by those in the position of leadership within the Organisation. This policy will be applied to all students and SENse Learning associates.

Policy Principles & Values

• SENse Learning wants to ensure that students, and everyone who works with them, are kept safe.

• SENse Learning recognises that events outside anyone's control may affect sessions.

• Where a session cannot go ahead in person, the aim is for students to continue to receive support, for example online, wherever that is safe and appropriate.

Procedures

Weather

Adverse weather such as snow, floods or severe winds can disrupt travel to sessions.

Red weather warnings. Where a red weather warning is in place, SENse Learning will cancel affected in-person sessions, notify associates and parents or carers, and confirm when in-person sessions can resume.

Other adverse weather. Associates decide for themselves whether it is safe to travel. If an associate decides not to travel, or expects to arrive late, they must tell the family and the case coordinator as early as possible, so that the student and family know what to expect.

Alternatives to an in-person session. Where an in-person session cannot go ahead, the associate may offer the family an online session at the usual time, or send resources for the student to work on. The associate should copy the case coordinator into the offer, so SENse Learning has a record for the commissioner.

Payment. SENse Learning pays associates for services delivered. An online session that goes ahead, or resources sent to and accepted by the family in place of a session, counts as delivered and is paid at the agreed rate when recorded in a session report. A session that is not delivered in any form is not paid.

Rescheduling. An associate may agree a new date for a missed session with the family and must notify the case coordinator before the rescheduled session takes place.

Travel costs. Associates are responsible for their own travel costs, including any additional costs of alternative transport.

Terrorist Attack

• If a terrorist attack occurs in the close vicinity of an associate or student, all sessions will be immediately cancelled until until SENse Learning is satisfied it is safe for sessions to resume".

• The Head Office will contact all people affected by the cancellation of sessions and inform them of the emergency plan.

• If a terrorist attack occurs in the close vicinity while an associate and student is out in public, then associates should follow all guidance of the emergency services.

• The associate should contact Head Office as soon as possible (if safe to do so), the Head Office will contact parents or carers. As soon as it is safe to do so, you must return the student home to their parent or carer.

• An incident form will need to be completed as soon as possible with a member of Head Office.

SENse Closure

• In the unlikely event that SENse Learning has to emergency close, all associates and parents or carers will be contacted and contacted again once we reopen.

High Risk Situation

• In the event of a violent or high-risk situation by members of the public, associates need to call the police using 999. Associates must also tell Head Office, who will contact the parent or carer and coordinate any follow-up

• The Organisation takes its safeguarding responsibilities very seriously, for students and for everyone who works with them, and if any of our associates feel threatened or unsafe then they need to leave the situation as soon as safely possible once they have established the safety of the student.

• An incident form will need to be completed as soon as possible.

Car Accident or Breakdown

• If an associate has a car accident with a student in the car, the emergency services will need to be called.

• An accident/injury will need to be completed.

• If the accident is not serious, but the car is not able to be driven,please contact Head Office, who will arrange with the parent or carer how the student gets home safely.

• If an associate's car breaks down and you are waiting for a breakdown service, please contact the parent or carer and advise that they may need to come and pick up the student if another associate is not able to do a pickup and drop off service.

Serious Accident or Injury during a Session

• In the event of a serious accident or injury occurring whilst working with a student, please call 999 immediately to gain the needed emergency service. The Head Office will also need to be informed as soon as possible.

• An accident/injury form will need to be completed.

Pandemic

• In the event of another pandemic, like Covid-19, if deemed appropriate the Organisation would cease all face-to-face provision and close all SENse Learning Offices and move to online provision.

• The Organisation aims to keep all associates, students, parents and carers safe from harm.

• The Organisation would follow all government guidance and, if necessary, seek professional advice on how best to keep the SENse Learning community safe.

• The Organisation would aim to keep all lines of communication open, and answer any questions associates,students, parents or carers may have, to the best of our ability.

• The Organisation aims to act with the best interests of all its community in mind, and would only move back to face-to-face provision, when it has been deemed safe to do so and after carrying out thorough risk assessments.