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.