Change in process when a critical incident occurs in a school/educational setting in Devon
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.
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
Reporting a critical incident:
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): multiagencysafeguardinghubsecure-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
If you require an urgent response, please telephone MASH Tel: 0345 155 1071.