Blackpool Council Critical Incident Response Team Guidance (CIRT)
Blackpool Council Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)
Supporting Education Settings for Children and Young People Aged 0–18
The Blackpool Council Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) provides dedicated support to education settings following serious or traumatic incidents affecting children, young people, staff, or the wider school community.
We work in partnership with nurseries, childminders, schools, academies, alternative provision settings, and colleges to ensure a coordinated, compassionate, and effective response during difficult times.
This guidance is designed for headteachers, managers, childminders, and senior leaders. It outlines how the Local Authority’s CIRT can support your setting and should be readily accessible within safeguarding and emergency planning resources, or displayed on staff notice boards for quick reference.
What is CIRT?
The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) offers advice, guidance, and practical support to education settings following a serious or traumatic incident.
A critical incident may include:
- The sudden death of a young person, staff member, or community member
- Serious accidents involving pupils or staff
- Traumatic incidents affecting multiple pupils
- Significant events in the community impacting the setting
- Situations requiring emotional support and coordinated advice
Our aim is to help settings manage the immediate response, reduce distress, and support recovery across the whole school community.
What Support Can CIRT Provide?
CIRT offers timely and practical support, including:
- Immediate advice following an incident
- Guidance for senior leaders on managing the initial response
- Support with communication to pupils, parents, and staff
- Advice on supporting pupils after traumatic events
- Guidance on identifying individuals who may need additional support
- Support with multi-agency working and coordination
- Template letters and communication resources
- Advice on memorials and tributes
- Follow-up support to manage ongoing impact and recovery
What CIRT Does Not Do
CIRT provides advisory and supportive input but does not replace the leadership or statutory responsibilities of the setting.
CIRT does not:
- Take over leadership of the response
- Provide ongoing counselling or therapeutic services
- Lead police or safeguarding investigations
- Speak to the media on behalf of settings
- Manage staffing or operational decisions
Where specialist services are needed, CIRT will guide settings on appropriate referrals.
What Education Settings Can Do Immediately
If a critical incident occurs, settings should:
- Ensure safeguarding procedures are in place and prioritise safety
- Gather accurate information before sharing details
- Inform key staff and governors
- Avoid speculation or sharing unconfirmed information
- Carefully plan how information is communicated
- Maintain routines where possible
- Identify pupils or staff who may need additional support
If unsure, settings are encouraged to contact the CIRT team for guidance.
Contacting the CIRT Team
Blackpool Council – Children’s Services
Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)
Lead Advisor:
Ntiriwah Freeman
📞 Tel: 07385 410581
📧 Email: Ntiriwah.Freeman@blackpool.gov.uk
Advisors:
- Natasha Armstead – 07971 184632
- Charlotte Baron – 07917 554305
- Mark Cowell – 07387 533864
- Rachel Orwin – 07818 563942
- Helen Piggott – 07341 065601
- Abigayle Palmer – 07385 415051
For urgent safeguarding concerns, settings should continue to follow established safeguarding procedures and contact Children’s Social Care where appropriate.
Blackpool Council is committed to supporting education settings to respond effectively, sensitively, and safely to critical incidents, ensuring the wellbeing of pupils, staff, and families.
CIRT Leaflet
Definitions
“Setting” refers to nurseries, childminders, schools, academies, alternative provision settings, and colleges.
“Young person” refers to anyone aged 0–18 attending your setting.