📒Death of an Educator Policy (QA2) (video needed)

National Quality Standard (NQS) - Quality Area 2: Children's health and safety

Implementation

Where an educator or staff member requires urgent medical attention while at the service:

• the Nominated Supervisor will immediately call an ambulance on 000 
• a first-aid trained educator will immediately commence appropriate first aid which may include CPR. The educator will be guided by advice from ambulance personnel once contact with emergency services has been made

• the Nominated Supervisor will call the educator or staff member’s next of kin and advise to which hospital or medical facility the ambulance is heading.

In the tragic event the educator or staff member passes away at the service or as a result of an incident at the service, the Nominated Supervisor will:

• call triple 000 for advice if this has not already occurred (and the death occurs at the service)
• notify the local police station of the death and follow any advice given to notify the WHS  Regulator by telephone immediately they become aware of the death and then complete and submit a written report of the incident on the approved form.  A report of a work-related injury or illness must also be recorded in the Register of Injuries, which must be kept at every workplace.
• ensure the site where the death occurred is left undisturbed as much as possible until an inspector arrives or as directed by WorkSafe
• keep records of the incident for the timeframe stipulated by WorkSafe. (Note we advise keeping records for 7 years for ECEC Regulatory purposes).

• notify the ECEC Regulatory Authority within 24 hours of the death through the online NQA ITS   

• if the Nominated Supervisor has passed away, advise the regulatory authority in writing about the new Nominated Supervisor within 14 days of the death through the online NQA ITS  

• provide all reasonable assistance to the family of the deceased educator or staff member.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and educators/ staff members at the service, the Nominated Supervisor will: 

• implement service emergency procedures (eg service lockdown) if there is a risk of harm to children or educators/staff members
• offer counseling/ support services for children, families, and staff if any are traumatized by the death.  The authorization will be obtained from parents before children receive any support services
• take steps to ensure children continue to be adequately supervised eg calling in relief staff to maintain ratios or were necessary requiring families to collect children
• allow employees to attend the deceased person’s funeral if they wish and consider the necessity and practicality of closing the service on the day of the funeral.