Emergency Procedure

1. Policy Statement

Teens in AI takes all reasonable steps to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of those involved in our programmes. This procedure provides clear instructions to follow in the event of an emergency during either online or in-person activities.

2. Definitions

An emergency is any unexpected situation which poses a risk to life, health, safety, wellbeing, or security of participants, staff, or volunteers.

3. Types of Emergencies

3.1 Online: inappropriate behaviour, cyberbullying, safeguarding disclosures, unauthorised access, technical failures.

3.2 In-person: fire, accident, illness, safeguarding emergency, or security threat.

4. General Principles

4.1 Stay calm, act quickly, and ensure the safety of participants as the top priority.

4.2 Follow safeguarding and health and safety protocols at all times.

4.3 Communicate promptly with relevant emergency services and parents/guardians where appropriate.

5. Online Emergency Procedure

5.1 The session facilitator will take immediate steps to remove or mute individuals engaging in inappropriate or harmful behaviour.

5.2 Any safeguarding concerns will be referred immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

5.3 Technical problems will be communicated to participants, with alternative arrangements provided.

5.4 Serious breaches (e.g. hacking, threats) will be reported to appropriate authorities if necessary.

6 In-person Emergency Procedure

6.1 Fire/Evacuation:

• Raise the alarm.
• Follow the venue’s evacuation procedure and lead participants to designated assembly points.
• Do not re-enter until authorised by emergency services.

6.2 Medical Emergency:

• Call 999 immediately.
• Provide first aid if trained.
• Inform the participant’s parent/guardian as soon as possible.

6.3 Safeguarding Emergency:

• Remove the individual from immediate risk.
• Report directly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

6.4 Security Incident:

• Follow venue lockdown or security guidance.
• Keep participants safe until the situation is resolved.

7 Communication

• Parents/guardians will be informed as soon as practicable in serious incidents.
• An Incident Report Form must be completed within 24 hours and submitted to the Health and Safety Officer.