Element 2.2.2: Incident and emergency management

National Law and National Regulations underpinning Element 2.2.2 Section 51(1)(a) Conditions on service approval (safety, health and wellbeing of children) Regulation 97 Emergency and evacuation procedures Regulation 98 Telephone or other communication equipment

What Element 2.2.2 aims to achieve

Planning to manage incidents and emergencies assists services to:

• protect children, adults and staff
• maintain children’s wellbeing and a safe environment
• meet the requirements of relevant workplace health and safety legislation.

Having a clear plan for the management and communication of incidents and emergencies assists educators to handle these calmly and effectively, reducing the risk of further harm or damage.

Assessment guide for meeting Element 2.2.2 (for all services)

Incident and emergency management

Assessors may observe:

• emergency procedures displayed prominently throughout the premises
• nominated supervisors, co-ordinators and educators having ready access to an operating telephone or other similar means of communication
• emergency telephone numbers displayed near telephones
• service staff having ready access to emergency equipment, such as fire extinguishers and fire blankets.

Assessors may discuss:

• how the service communicates information to families about the service’s emergency procedures and plans to manage incidents
• how the service ensures that service staff are informed about and understand the service’s emergency procedures and plans
• procedures for managing incidents and emergencies in single-staff services
• how the service discusses and practises emergency drills with children
• the provision of training for nominated supervisors, educators, co-ordinators and family day care educator assistants in the use of emergency equipment.

Assessors may sight:

• procedures for managing incidents and emergencies and providing a child-safe environment
• records of emergency drills, and evaluations of these
• a current, portable record of children’s emergency contacts that can be carried by educators in case of emergencies and/or evacuations
• written emergency and evacuation procedures that include instructions for what must be done in the event of an emergency and an emergency evacuation floor plan (for example, a plan for a bushfire in a bushfire-prone area)
• written plans to manage an emergency that may be likely to affect individuals at the service (for example, the management of an asthma attack, anaphylactic reaction or epileptic fit)
• written communication with families about the service’s emergency procedures and plans to manage incidents
• evidence that emergency equipment is tested as recommended by recognised authorities.