Individual risk assessments for returning to work or illness are "routine", although this point may also be addressed in the school's health and safety policies, other school risk assessments, and contracts, so the risk assessment must be composed with full awareness of and in conjunction with these documents. It is important that control measures and precautions to manage risks identified are put in place and maintained. Good practice suggests that reference should be made to supervision, employee consultation, provision of adequate and relevant safety information, training where applicable, and employee awareness. Designated first aiders and health and safety officers need to be aware and know how to correctly pass on the care of the individual if there is an issue. Although the staff member may suffer from mobility issues, they will still have responsibilities that will need to be touched upon in the risk assessment, including taking reasonable care, using equipment in line with training and guidance, not interfering with recognised processes, reporting incidents, and reporting personal issues. There is also a role for occupational health here. There should be a return to work interview where the employee is asked how the school can help them carry out their role safely in light of their medical condition, which could be referenced on the risk assessment. The specific role of the member of staff within the school needs to be considered. Occupation health may produce a report outlining limitations on the person's role and a GP/consultant could produce a report which assesses their condition in relation to their job role and outlines what they can or cannot do. We recommend that you obtain a professional medical opinion either through the staff member themselves or otherwise by obtaining permission from the member of staff to seek a medical opinion on their behalf. You must also discuss with the member of staff their medical condition and any concerns the school may have and invite them to express any concerns from their end. The member of staff with the medical condition must be given every chance to carry out their job without discrimination. On the other hand, the school has a duty to protect other staff and pupils and therefore the risk assessment must take into account any potential repercussions for other staff and pupils. When in place, the risk assessment must be reviewed regularly and the employee must raise any concerns they have. If any issues were to arise, the burden of proof rests on whether the employer took reasonable steps within the context of the legislation and the individual to ensure that they were safe to carry on with their job. A temporary risk management plan must be put in place whilst the long-term risk assessment is developed. When compiled, the risk assessment can have short, medium, and long-term solutions, and these need to be recorded, reviewed and updated as appropriate. A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) needs to be considered, and the designated or trained fire officer must know how this person will evacuate the building in an emergency. Government guidance on this subject can be accessed HERE.

Informing parents or carers about illnesses that their children suffer while at school, should form part of your first aid/medicine policy. The Handsam Example First Aid Policy states:

• All pupils who feel unwell or who have suffered an accident should, if possible, be accompanied to the (INSERT LOCATION e.g. MAIN OFFICE/STAFF ROOM). Where it is unsafe to move the pupil, someone should be sent to (INSERT LOCATION) to gain assistance.
• A qualified first aider will assess the individual’s need and apply basic first aid; a second opinion should be sought if available.
• (INSERT NAME/LOCATION E.G. RECEPTION/THE MAIN OFFICE) will issue an advisory note to the parents/carers detailing the illness or incident that has occurred.
• If there is any concern that the injury or illness may be more serious. The parents/carers will be contacted immediately.
• Any pupil having difficulty breathing, feeling dizzy or faint must remain with the teacher or other member of staff. A message should be sent to the (MAIN OFFICE/SCHOOL NURSES: INSERT AS APPROPRIATE) to send a first aider/school nurse immediately.

In short, if the illness (in this instance, a headache) is treated successfully by pain relief (after checking that parental consent has been given) or just spending some time quietly or in the fresh air, then parents do not need to be contacted immediately, but a note sent home as soon as possible to let them know, including details of any pain relief administered. If the condition becomes more serious, then parents should be contacted as a matter of urgency. In this particular instance, the school should establish if any member of staff was aware that the child fell in class and suffered head trauma and what the circumstances were that led up to the fall. This is the current guidance from the DfE in the Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions document: No child under 16 should be given prescription or non-prescription medicines without their parent’s written consent – except in exceptional circumstances where the medicine has been prescribed to the child without the knowledge of the parents. In such cases, every effort should be made to encourage the child or young person to involve their parents while respecting their right to confidentiality. Schools should set out the circumstances in which nonprescription medicines may be administered.