HS121 Response to Injury, Illness and Incidents

This Response to Injury, Illness and Incident Policy meets NZ Licensing Criterion HS121. It provides clear, practical guidance for staff on what to do when a child becomes unwell, is injured, or is involved in an incident while in care. Designed to meet New Zealand ECE regulatory expectations, the policy supports safe practice, accurate documentation, and effective communication with whānau.

What this policy covers

• Clear procedures for responding to injury, illness, and accidents

• Guidance on first aid, monitoring, and escalation

• Requirements for recording and reporting incidents

• Processes for notifying parents/whānau promptly and appropriately

• Steps for managing serious harm, notifiable incidents, and follow-up

Why this policy matters

• Supports child safety and wellbeing

• Helps staff act calmly and correctly in high-pressure situations

• Ensures alignment with ECE licensing and regulatory requirements

• Reduces risk through clear, documented procedures

• Provides reassurance to families that incidents are managed professionally

Who it’s for

• Early Childhood Education centres and services

• Centre managers and leaders reviewing compliance documentation

• Teaching teams who need clear, easy-to-follow guidance

This policy is written in plain, practical language, making it easy for staff to understand and apply in real situations — not just file away.