P40 Understanding Head Injuries: Clinical Approaches for Schools and Sport
Course summary
Head injuries can happen anywhere—from the school corridor to the sports pitch—and recognising the signs early can make all the difference. This one-day course is designed to equip school nurses, coaches, and professionals involved in youth sports with the knowledge and confidence to assess and manage head injuries safely and effectively. Going beyond the basics, we explore the neurological, clinical, and practical aspects of injury recognition, initial response, and return-to-activity protocols, including an introduction to SCAT guidelines and referral criteria.
Who should attend?
This course is ideal for professionals involved in the care, education, or athletic supervision of young people, including:
- School nurses and healthcare staff in educational settings
- PE teachers and school sports coordinators
- Youth sports coaches and athletic trainers
- Physiotherapists and rehabilitation staff working with young athletes
- Pastoral care staff and safeguarding leads
- First aiders and emergency responders in school or sports environments
- Club medics and volunteer team support staff
- Anyone involved in assessing or managing head injuries in children and adolescents
Aims / objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Apply key neurological anatomy to understand how head injuries impact brain function
- Identify common causes and mechanisms of head trauma in both educational and sporting contexts
- Perform a focused neurological assessment, including familiarity with SCAT guidelines
- Recognise clinical features that indicate escalation or specialist referral
- Implement safe and effective management strategies, including wound care and return-to-activity planning
- Understand referral thresholds and return-to-play protocols, promoting safety and continuity of care
- Confidently navigate head injury scenarios, from playground incidents to sports pitch collisions
Course programme
- Participant-led content requests
- Applied neuroanatomy and functional relevance
- Mechanisms of injury across school and sport settings
- Types and classifications of head injury
- Introduction to patient assessment and neurological examination
- Clinical indicators and red flags
- Evidence-based management strategies, including:
- Superficial wound care
- Escalation and referral criteria
- Return-to-play and return-to-learn protocols
- Recommendations for further learning and clinical development
Led by
TBA