‘Responding to Critical Incidents: Guidelines & Resource Materials for Schools’ 

The current edition of ‘Responding to Critical Incidents’, published by the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), combines Guidelines for Schools and Resource Materials for Schools into one single publication.

Published by National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), this essential resource for schools is based on international research on best practice in critical incident response.

It includes information on:

• How schools can be proactive in developing policies and procedures that promote mental health.
• Templates, advice and information on how schools can prepare for critical incidents by identifying a Critical Incident Management Team and having a Critical Incident Management Plan.
• A practical step by step guide to schools in how to respond effectively when an incident occurs in order to minimise the potential traumatic effect on the school community. This includes a new aid to guide teachers when meeting with students in the aftermath of an incident.

Social Media

Social Media is now part of everyday communication and information sharing. Most students are avid and competent users. It can play a significant part in the aftermath of a critical incident. The revised Guidelines offer guidance to schools in this regard. A list of useful websites and helplines is also provided.

Suicide

The revised 3rd edition of the publication has an extended section on suicide/ suspected suicide including information on suicide contagion.

Support

NEPS is available, on request, to support schools coping with critical incidents. In such an event, the primary role of NEPS is to advise and support the teachers and other adults who work daily with students and who know them well. Best practice indicates that in the aftermath of a critical incident, students need to be with people they know and trust. NEPS provides immediate, short term support, information and advice to staff, it does not provide counselling.

Further Support

Further support for teachers and special needs assistants in the aftermath of a critical incident is available from the Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme , an agency contracted by the Department of Education and Skills. Tel: 1800 411 057