URMSTON INFANT SCHOOL. Managing Medical Needs Policy

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Sharleen Montgomery
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1 URMSTON INFANT SCHOOL Managing Medical Needs Policy

2 Urmston Infant School MANAGING MEDICAL NEEDS POLICY This policy is supplemental to Infant School's 'Health and Safety Policy' and 'First Aid Policy'. Rationale: The school policy is to try to accommodate requests from parents/carers to administer long -term medication where this is necessary for the child to continue to be educated at school. To this end the following procedures must be adhered to, to ensure that all concerned, staff, parents, pupils and where relevant, health professionals are aware of the pupil's condition and what steps have been agreed either to manage the condition or are in place should an emergency arise. Aims: To ensure that children with medical needs receive the same standard of education as any other child To clarify roles and responsibilities for storage and administration of medicines at Urmston Infant School. Definitions: Short term medication - This medication needs to be administered for a few days e.g. completing a course of antibiotics, or for recurring conditions, to allow the child, who is to all intents and purposes, fit to return to school. It is parental responsibility to administer this to children however staff may volunteer to administer this if the necessary paperwork is completed. Long term medication - This is medication required to manage a long -term medical need, e.g. asthma, epilepsy etc., where the medication will be required for extended periods. These children will be identified on the school's 'Medical Needs' list and those with more severe medical needs will have a Health Care Plan in place - produced by the School Nurse in consultation with the child's parents and the Headteacher. Legal requirements: The prime responsibility for the child's health lies with the parents. There is no legal requirement on the staff to administer medication to pupils, but the school will make arrangements to allow children with medical needs to attend school where practicable. In situations where staff agree to administer medication, the agreed procedure must be followed:-

To this end the following procedures must be adhered to, to ensure that all concerned, staff, parents, pupils and where relevant, health professionals are aware of the pupil's condition and what

3 Guidelines: No child is to carry their own medication All parents requiring their child to have ongoing medication in school must complete a 'Health Care Plan' and a school indemnity form. Copies will be kept in the child s classroom and in the school office. Members of staff will become the designated administrator after any necessary training. Children, in consultation with parents, will be encouraged to administer their own medication under adult supervision. All medicines kept in school must be clearly marked with the child s name and instructions for use by the designated person i.e. Class Teacher, Class Assistant, Headteacher, and normally kept in the School office. A list of children's medical conditions and needs will be retained in the office and circulated to ALL staff including Lunch Break Supervisors. Parents will be advised that the school cannot administer medication to children without written permission from the parents, and information on what medication the child can have. A request to administer medication form 3A must be completed and signed. Staff must ensure that any long term medication and instructions are carried securely by an adult on school trips in case it is needed during the day. Request to administer medication The school will only administer medication where a request to administer medication form has been completed by the parent(s) / carer(s) of a child. No medication will be given unless this form is completed. The form is to be completed prior to the child starting at the school or, if already in attendance, as soon as the condition is identified. If a pupil simply turns up with medication the parent/carer will be contacted and asked to administer this themselves. Assessment of Request: Following receipt of a "Request to Administer Medication" form the Headteacher or designated person will discuss with the staff the nature of the request and whether or not they are willing to administer the medication. The Headteacher or designated person will also identify whether staff are competent to administer the required medication.

Children, in consultation with parents, will be encouraged to administer their own medication under adult supervision.

4 Training / Instruction: Staff are deemed competent to administer medication in tablet form or as medicine orally, but must have received training by a qualified medical practitioner or specialist trainer in any medical techniques required e.g. use of Epipen for anaphylaxis. Epipen training is updated annually in September, as necessary. Health Care Plan If staff are willing to administer the medication a Health Care Plan for the pupil will be prepared by the School Health Nurse together with the parents / carers. This will indicate the request for administration and of approval and will provide as much information on the medical condition as is available. The health plan follows a standard format but will vary dependent on the medical needs e.g. short term or a specific condition. Notification to parents/carers: Parents will then be notified that the school has agreed to administer the medication requested and a copy of the Health Care Plan will be provided. Storage of Medication: All medicines kept in school must be clearly marked with the child's name and instructions for use by the designated person and normally kept in a locked cupboard in the Head teacher s office. Responsibility for checking medication is in date and properly functioning rests with the parent. It is the responsibility of the parents / carers, not the school, to request that Health Care Plans are updated. Any vital information for ensuring a child s safety will be displayed with their photograph in the staffroom. Medical Records: Medical records are kept in the office and are updated on computer as required. Each class teacher will have a list of their own pupil s known medical conditions at the beginning of the school year. This list should become part of the class file, and if there are any known changes these need to be noted. It is the responsibility of the class teacher to inform on a need to know basis other adults including lunchtime staff about any medical conditions of children. Procedures to ensure children s records are updated depend upon parental help. Asthma Medication: Inhalers need to be marked with children s names and this is the responsibility of the parent. Medication for children suffering with asthma will be administered at the necessary times, supervised by a qualified First Aider. The parents will be required to state details of all treatment required. All members of staff have looked at the Asthma package and additional material so that they will be fully aware of and can recognise when a child with asthma needs treatment.

Health Care Plan If staff are willing to administer the medication a Health Care Plan for the pupil will be prepared by the School Health Nurse together with the parents / carers.

5 Personal Medication held by Staff: It is advised that staff do not bring personal medication into school. If this is unavoidable then staff must ensure that it is kept out of reach and out of site of children. E.g it could be kept in an adult s car/ locked drawer in school office until required. Staff Liability: Where a member of staff has followed agreed policies, and/or acted in accordance with management direction, then he/she would be given full legal protection. This means he/she is covered by the Council's liability insurance and would be supported by the Council in any legal action. He/she would be advised and represented at no financial cost. Conclusion This policy will be brought to the attention of staff, governors, parents and volunteers. Requests to administer medication will be received sympathetically and the child's right to education will not be compromised, where requests are reasonable. This policy will be reviewed as part of the school's rolling programme of policy review.

Staff Liability: Where a member of staff has followed agreed policies, and/or acted in accordance with management direction, then he/she would be given full legal protection.

WIMBLEDON CHASE PRIMARY SCHOOL POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION AND FIRST AID AT SCHOOL

WIMBLEDON CHASE PRIMARY SCHOOL POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION AND FIRST AID AT SCHOOL POLICY STATEMENT: At Wimbledon Chase Primary School we believe that everyone has the right to