Safeguarding update: Changes to reporting critical incidents in schools and educational settings
As of 4 September 2024, the process for reporting a Critical Incident impacting a school or educational setting in Devon has changed.
If a school or educational setting has experienced a Critical Incident, it is important that the Local Authority are notified immediately so that any relevant support can be coordinated and put in place as soon as possible.
When reporting a Critical Incident impacting a school or educational setting, please download and complete the Critical Incident Form and send it to Children’s Social Care ‘Front Door’ (MASH) mailbox: multiagencysafeguardinghubsecure-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.
If you require an urgent response, please telephone MASH on 0345 155 1071. Outside normal working hours please contact 0345 6000 388.
More information about what a is covered by the term ‘Critical Incident’ is set out below.
What is a Critical Incident?
A Critical Incident can be a single incident or a sequence of incidents which:
- are sudden and unexpected
- contain real or imagined threats to a person
- overwhelm usual coping mechanisms
- cause severe disruption
- are traumatic to anyone
Critical Incidents affecting educational settings may include:
- death of a pupil or a member of staff
- serious accident involving pupils or school personnel, on or off school premises
- violent attack or intrusion into premises e.g. armed intruder or bomb alert
- fire, flood, building collapse, or major vandalism
- a hostage situation
- a disaster in the community