Critical Incident & Covid-19 Policy - Board of Management Ratified 27 September 2021

Sep 12, 2026

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Critical Incident & Covid-19 Policy sets out a structured framework for responding to critical incidents in a school context, emphasizing a quick, effective action approach that minimizes negative impacts, cares for those affected, and enables a return to normal school life. It defines what constitutes a critical incident, establishes a coping, supportive and caring ethos through physical and psychological safety, and outlines the Critical Incident Management Team roles, responsibilities, communication, consultation, and post-incident review. The policy includes procedures and appendices for information, staff guidance, student-involved incidents, and an annual checklist with contact and resource references.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages29

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

The Critical Incident Management Policy (CIMP)

The aim of the critical incident management policy (CIMP)

The critical incident plan

Contents of This Document

Development and Maintenance of the CIMP

Definition of a Critical Incident

Foundation: The Creation of a Coping, Supportive and Caring Ethos in the School

Physical Safety

Psychological Safety

Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) Members

Critical Incident Folder

Managing the Critical Incident

Forming the Critical Incident Management Team and creating the initial action plan

Implementing the CI Action Plan – short and medium term actions

Conclusion of the critical incident

Post Incident Review

Consultation and Communication Regarding the Plan

Appendices

Critical Incident & Covid-19 Policy Ratified by the Board of Management on Date: 27th September 2021 Signature: (Chairperson of the Board of Management) | Commenced: 2015 | | --- | | Last reviewed: September 2021 | | Review due: October 2022 | CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 3 The Critical Incident Management Policy (CIMP) 3 The aim of the critical incident management policy (CIMP) 3 The critical incident plan 3 Contents of This Document 4 Development and Maintenance of the CIMP 4 CIMP Policy Document Review and Update 5 2 DEFINITION OF A CRITICAL INCIDENT 6 3 FOUNDATION: THE CREATION OF A COPING, SUPPORTIVE AND CARING ETHOS IN THE SCHOOL 7 3.1 Physical Safety 7 3.2 Psychological Safety 7 4 CRITICAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM (CIMT) MEMBERS 8 4.1 Critical Incident Folder 8 5 CIMT KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH ROLE 9 5.1 Team Leader-The Principal 9 5.2 Team Coordinator 9 5.3 Garda Liaison 9 5.4 Staff Liaison 9 5.5 Student Liaison 10 5.6 Community/Agency Liaison 10 5.7 Parent Liaison 10 5.8 Media Liaison 10 5.9 Administrator 11 5.10 School Site Manager/Accounts 11 5.11 Record Keeping 11 5.12 Confidentiality and Good Name Considerations 11 5.13 Critical Incident Rooms 12 6 MANAGING THE CRITICAL INCIDENT 13 6.1 Forming the Critical Incident Management Team and creating the initial action plan 13 6.2 Implementing the CI Action Plan – short and medium term actions 13 6.3 Conclusion of the critical incident 14 7 POST INCIDENT REVIEW 14 8 CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE PLAN 14 9 Appendices 15 Appendix 1 INFORMATION-TO BE KEPT IN SCHOOL OFFICE AND PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE 15 Critical Incident Management Team Contact Information 2021-22 15 School Management and Administration Team 2021-22 16 Emergency Services 17 Room allocations for a critical incident 18 Appendix 2 PROCEDURE FOR STAFF AT A CRITICAL INCIDENT 19 Appendix 3 PROCEDURE-STUDENT DEATH-OLS CIMT STEP BY STEP 20 Day 1: 20 Day 2: 20 Day 3: 20 Appendix 4 – GUIDELINES-STUDENT INCIDENT-OLS PROCEDURE FOR CIMT 21 Liaising With Family/Families Involved: 21 Appendix 5 – GUIDELINES-FROM THE NEPS GUIDELINES 2016 21 NEPS Resource References – Useful Resources Available 21 Appendix 6 CIMP Annual Checklist 23 Appendix 7 – Staff contact lists 25 1 INTRODUCTION The school’s mission statement lies at the heart of how we respond to critical incidents which affect the life of the school. Our Lady’s School Mission Statement Our Lady’s School is a community that embraces Christian values. The education it provides is rooted in a deep sense of faith. We aim to create a positive inclusive environment which enables everyone to reach their full potential. We promote mutual respect within the school community and strive to provide a happy and secure atmosphere which fosters a love of learning. We encourage the development of the whole person, by fostering the personal, spiritual and moral development of every student. The realisation of individual talents and academic excellence is paramount. We aim to create a friendly, healthy, safe and caring environment which a firms our pride in the school. We promote the development of the necessary skills so that students may become responsible members of society. It is our wish to see every student leave Our Lady’s School with moral integrity and a heightened sense of social conscience. 1.1 The Critical Incident Management Policy (CIMP) The OLS critical incident policy is to respond to a critical incident quickly and effectively, minimise the potential negative effects of the incident, care for those affected and effect a return to normal school life as soon as possible. The policy provides a framework within which a critical incident plan is developed for each critical incident as it arises. 1.1.1 The aim of the critical incident management policy (CIMP) The aim of the CIMP is to help school management and staff to react quickly

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Critical Incident Management Policy (CIMP)?

The CIMP helps school management and staff react quickly and effectively, maintain order, ensure appropriate support for students and staff, and develop an incident-specific critical incident management plan.

How is a critical incident managed according to this policy?

A Critical Incident Management Team is formed to create an initial action plan, implement short- and medium-term actions, and conclude the critical incident with a return to normality as soon as possible.

What guidance does the policy provide after an incident?

It includes a post-incident review and consultation and communication principles, supported by appendices containing procedures, contact information, and checklists for ongoing readiness.

Sep 12, 2026

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