CLEAPSS Important information on chemical storage
FAO Headteachers/ Heads of Science in Secondary Schools & Special Schools
Please find below an important message from CLEAPSS regarding the storage of 2,4 DNP (Dinitrophenyl hydrazine) in chemical stores.
Please ensure any appropriate action is taken based on the information provided.
Do you have any 2,4-DNP in your chemical store?
CLEAPSS has become aware that many schools are holding stocks of 2,4 DNP that has not been stored correctly.
2,4-DNP (2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, technically called 2,4-DNPH) should be stored as perHazcard 30. If the chemical has been stored as per our guidance then this chemical is safe to use.
If your 2,4 DNP has not been stored in the correct manner ie: the reagent bottle has not been placed inside an additional container of water or the water in the outer container has dried out, you must assume that the 2,4 DNP has dried out
If this is the case, DO NOT open the reagent bottle.
Call the CLEAPSS Helpline, for further advice. Tel: 01895 251 496
Specific advice on 2,4-DNP can be found on the CLEAPSS website.
Alternative Provision – guidance for commissioners and providers
The local authority has produced a set of guiding principles that Warwickshire schools should follow to ensure that the children and young people benefit from high quality provision which is safe, secure and appropriate to their individual needs.
The guidance covers 3 key areas:
- The role and functions of Warwickshire’s Area Behaviour Partnerships (ABPs)
- Planning and commissioning alternative provision
- The placement
For more information, please visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/alternativeeducationprovision.
Medical awareness training update
In order to support pupils at school with medical conditions, governing bodies must ensure that there is a school policy and a named person with responsibility for policy implementation. Part of this responsibility is to ensure there are sufficient staff who have received suitable training and are competent before they take on responsibility to support children with medical conditions.
The School Health & Wellbeing Service is likely to be involved in the development of healthcare plans for pupils with medical conditions. Where training for staff has not been delivered by the School Health & Wellbeing Service and competence has not been assessed by the service, this will be recorded in the healthcare plan. Any concerns regarding the competence of staff will be raised with the headteacher and, where appropriate, the governing body.
The school must consider the following when commissioning medical awareness training:
- Quality assurance of the training being delivered
- The trainer having the appropriate professional qualification to confirm the competence of staff being trained
- Safeguarding and DBS checks
- Appropriate insurances
Please see the statutory guidance for governing bodies of maintained schools and proprietors of academies in England for supporting pupils at school with medical conditions for further information.
If you would like to discuss this in more detail you can call the School Health & Wellbeing Service on 03300 245 204 or email them at warwickshireSH&WBService@compass-uk.org
Flu vaccinations
In Warwickshire one in three people are entitled to a free flu vaccination, yet every year thousands of people run the lottery of catching the potentially deadly illness rather than having the vaccine.
A recommendation from schools is one of the best ways to encourage people to have their vaccination. Please help to share the message. Click here to view the poster for the campaign