Scarningprimary.co.uk

Scarning VC Primary School
Policy on
Meeting the needs of children with medical conditions
The policy wil be given to al parents when their child starts school, copies wil be sent out at intervals, to remind parents of this school policy and a copy is kept in the Head teacher’s of ice for inspection at any time. However, it must be emphasised that primary responsibility for a child’s health rests with the parents/guardians.
Legal Requirements
The policy is reviewed regularly, in line with the school procedures and withreference to the DfES’ guidelines. Managing Medicines in Schools and EarlyYears Settings, DfES 2005, revised 2007) There is no responsibility which requires staf to administer medication. However, many staf are prepared to act in “loco parentis” in an emergency. In an extreme case, this may necessitate cal ing an ambulance before contacting a parent or trained staf .
Exchange of Information
Parents as the child’s main carer, have a responsibility to provide the school with suf icient information about their child’s medical condition, treatment and/or special care needed at school.
This should be done immediately prior to entry to school. A general consent form should be fil ed in If medical treatment becomes necessary after admission, parents must inform the school immediately. They must also notify the school of any changes to medication and supply medicines in the original container, with the dispenser’s label and cur ent directions on.
Parents must inform the school of any medicines which children are al ergic to and a contact General Administration of Medicines
It is recognised that children themselves have a role to play. In some cases, it is appropriate for them to be involved in taking responsibility for their own health care (e.g. asthma suf erers). A parental consent form should be completed.
Some medicines (e.g. ventolin) need to be keep in school al of the time. It is the parents’/guardians’ responsibility to ensure that an adequate supply is available, that clear directions are on the label, with type, child’s name and dosage. The medication must be in date and is col ected at the end of each term and renewed at the beginning of the next. For the purposes of independence, asthma inhalers are kept in a place accessible to children requiring them.
The school is prepared to administer prescription medicines only when absolutely necessary (children who are obviously unwel should be kept at home) and upon receipt of the appropriate form, or in the case of short-term administration.
a) A signed let er of authority and instruction (to be displayed in the of ice) showing b) A signed disclaimer from parent/guardian should be completed.
The remainder of a course of antibiotics, only if it is to be administered four times daily, may be administered. This should be supplied as a single dose only, if at al possible.
Staf cannot guarantee that children wil receive their medication at an exact time.
The school is not prepared to administer:
antibiotics that need to be administered three times a day, (as doctors are general y happy that the child is given this before school, after school and before going to bed); Records of medicines
Records of medicines dispensed are kept by the member of staf responsible. It is good practice for the dosage and administration to be witnessed by a second adult – although this is not always Emergency Procedures
Injections may only be given by an appropriate medical practitioner (doctor), or someone specifical y trained and authorised by a doctor or nurse. Usual y only staf trained in certain procedures (such as administrating adrenaline), should do so. However other staf may do what a parent in the same situation would reasonably be expected to do (e.g. in order to save life), acting Circumstances requiring an ambulance
Al staf should know how to cal the emergency services. Al staf are responsible for car ying out emergency procedures in the event of need. A pupil taken to hospital by ambulance should be accompanied by a member of staf , who wil stay with them until the parent/guardian ar ives.
Safety and Storage
Medicines wil be kept in the staf room (if they need refrigeration, i.e. antibiotics) or the secretary’s of ice. They should be provided in a single dose as this wil help to ensure that no-one taking it either in er or or intentional y wil be causing harm to themselves or others. Any out of date or discontinued medicines wil be returned to parents.
Children should not car y any medicines to school, except asthma inhalers.
Al medication is kept in either a label ed bag or box for each child that requires it.
Non-prescription medicines wil not be administered. Only in extreme cases should cough sweets be brought in. The Class Teacher should administer these. Parents should send in a note of School Educational Visits
Medicines taken on educational visits wil normal y be the responsibility of the teacher in charge.
Parents wil be required to fil in a consent form for the administration of anaesthetic by a medical practitioner, should be need arise. Before a trip is undertaken an additional risk assessment wil be car ied out in relation to children with medical needs. Steps wil be taken to minimise risks and to ensure that al children can be included on the trip.
Arrangements for Children giving Particular Cause for Alarm
If a child has a special medical condition which could require emergency intervention (e.g.
anaphylaxis, epilepsy, diabetes) the appropriate people (school staf , parents, medical professionals) should produce a health care plan based on the fol owing information: what emergency situation could arise (indicate possible symptoms) what action would be needed (include strategies to avoid emergencies happening, e.g. eating what staf could be permit ed to do (School Nursing Of icer to advise) which staf would be prepared to give assistance themselves what untrained staf should do (i.e. cal a col eague) ar angements for school visits and special activities (e.g. swimming) how and when parents/guardians/emergency contacts should be notified *Used Epi pens need to go into a ‘sharps box’ (safe box) fol owing use and sent along with the child Examples of the necessary forms can be found in the DfES’ “Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Set ing” (March 2005). They include: Parental agreement for school/set ing to administer medicine; Parental agreement for school/set ing to administer medicine; Head teacher/Head of Set ing agreement for administer medicine; Record of medicine administered to an individual child; Record of medicines administered to al children; Request for child to car y his/her own medicine; Staf training record – administration of medicines; Authorisation for the administration of rectal diazepam.
Reference: “Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs” DfES;
“Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Set ings” DfES (March 2005) Agreed by Governors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Agreed by Staf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Review date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Source: http://www.scarningprimary.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Meeting-the-needs-of-children-with-medical-conditions.pdf