Illness, Accidents & Medicine

Administering Medicines Policy

Introduction

Most pupils will, at some time, have a medical condition that may affect their participation in school activities. For many, this will be short-term. Some pupils have long-term medical needs which, if not properly managed, could limit their access to education.

Kyson Primary School is committed to ensuring that pupils with medical needs have the same right of access to education as all other children. With appropriate support, most children with medical needs can attend school regularly and take part in normal school activities.

There is no legal duty requiring school staff to administer medication; this is a voluntary role. However, a duty of care may apply in exceptional circumstances. This policy sets out how medicines are managed safely in school.

Role of Parents and Carers

Parents/carers should, wherever possible, administer or supervise their child’s medication outside school hours. This may include:

Adjusting dose times (e.g. before and after school)
Coming into school to administer medication at lunchtime

Where this is not practicable, parents/carers may request that medication is administered in school.

If medication is required during the school day:

Parents/carers must bring the medication to the school office
An Administration of Medication Permission and Record Form must be completed
Medication must not be given to class teachers or brought into school by pupils themselves

For short-term medication, any remaining medicine must be collected by a parent/carer at the end of the school day.

Prescription Medication

Prescription medicines should be administered at home wherever possible. Medicines that require three daily doses can often be taken before school, after school and at bedtime. Parents are encouraged to discuss this with their GP.

School staff will only administer prescription medication where it would be detrimental to the child’s health not to do so.

All prescription medicines must:

Be provided in the original container dispensed by a pharmacist
Clearly show the child’s name, dosage, administration instructions and expiry date

Schools will not:

Accept medicines removed from original containers
Alter dosages based on parental instruction

Before administering medication, staff will check:

Child’s name
Name of medicine
Dosage
Prescriber’s written instructions
Expiry date

Medication will only be administered once the Administration of Medication Permission and Record Form has been completed and signed by the parent/carer.

Storage of Medication

Non-emergency prescription medicines are stored securely in the school office, in a cupboard or refrigerator as appropriate.
Emergency medicines (e.g. asthma inhalers, EpiPens) are kept in the child’s classroom and must be readily accessible.
A second EpiPen (where required) is stored in the Headteacher’s first aid drawer, clearly labelled with the child’s name and photograph.

Long-Term Medical Needs

For pupils with long-term medical needs, the school will work with parents and relevant health professionals to create a Health Care Plan.

Appropriate training will be provided for staff administering specialist medication (e.g. EpiPens, buccal midazolam, insulin). Staff must not administer specialist medication unless they have received appropriate training.

The SENCo will keep a record of staff trained to support pupils with Health Care Plans.

Controlled Drugs

Controlled drugs (e.g. Ritalin) are subject to the Misuse of Drugs Act and must be managed carefully.

Controlled drugs should ideally be brought into school daily by parents, or no more than one week’s supply at a time
The quantity handed over must be recorded
Drugs must be stored in a locked, non-portable container
Only named staff may access controlled drugs

Each administration must be recorded, including if a child refuses to take the medication. Staff must not force a child to take medication.

If a child refuses medication:

Parents will be informed immediately
Emergency services will be contacted if necessary

Unused medication must be returned to parents or to the dispensing pharmacist and must not be disposed of in school.

Passing a controlled drug to another pupil is a criminal offence.

Non-Prescription Medication

The school will avoid administering non-prescription medication wherever possible. However, it may be administered at parental request where it enables a child to attend school and continue learning, and where it would be detrimental to the child’s health not to do so.

This may include:

Completing a short course of medication
Applying a lotion
Administering paracetamol for pain relief

A child under 16 must never be given aspirin-containing medication unless prescribed by a doctor.

Non-prescription medicines must:

Be provided in original packaging
Include clear dosage instructions
Be accompanied by a completed Administration of Medication Permission and Record Form

Dosages will not exceed manufacturer’s guidance.

Administering Medicines in School

Medicines may only be administered by:

Office staff
Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher
SENCo
Trained Learning Support Assistants

Staff will:

Check the permission form against the medication
Administer the correct dose at the correct time
Record administration on the appropriate form

For long-term medication, an Administration of Medication Continuation Sheet will be used.

Emergency Inhalers

In line with Guidance on the Use of Emergency Salbutamol Inhalers in Schools (March 2015), the school holds emergency reliever inhalers and spacers.

These are stored in the school office and may only be used for pupils whose parents have signed a Consent Form for Use of Emergency Salbutamol Inhaler.

Self-Management of Medication

As pupils get older, they should be encouraged to take responsibility for managing their medication where appropriate. This will be agreed with parents and outlined in the child’s Health Care Plan, with due regard to safety.

Staff should ensure pupils know where their medication is stored. Asthmatic pupils may need to carry inhalers or have immediate access to them.

Refusal of Medication

If a child refuses medication:

Staff will not force them to take it
The refusal will be recorded
Parents will be informed

If refusal results in a medical emergency, emergency services will be contacted and parents informed immediately.

Offsite Visits and Residential Trips

Pupils with medical needs should be supported to participate in offsite visits.

Staff supervising visits must be aware of pupils’ medical needs and emergency procedures
Individual risk assessments will be completed where required
A trained member of staff will accompany pupils who require specialist medication
Asthma inhalers must be taken on all visits

Travel Sickness

Travel sickness medication may be administered with written parental consent. The medication must:

Be in original packaging
Clearly state the child’s name, dosage, time and possible side effects
Have been trialled at home prior to the visit

An Administration of Medication Permission and Record Form must be completed.

Residential Visits

All medicines (except asthma inhalers) must be handed to the teacher in charge. Parents must sign consent forms for all medication required during the visit.

Disposal of Medicines

Parents are responsible for ensuring medicines in school are within expiry dates.

Expired or unused medicines must be collected by parents or returned to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

Sharps must be disposed of in approved sharps boxes:

A sharps box is kept in the Headteacher’s office
Pupils requiring regular injections will have their own sharps box
Parents will be notified when a replacement is required

Accidents and Illness in School

If a child becomes ill or has an accident, the school will make every effort to contact parents immediately. If parents cannot be reached, the Headteacher may refer the child to a GP or hospital.

Parents must ensure the school is kept up to date with contact and emergency details.

Health Checks

The County School Health Service provides:

A health interview at age 5+
Dental checks

Parents will always be informed in advance.

Illness and Infection Control

Guidance on infection control in school is available and should be followed at all times.

Pupils who have experienced vomiting and/or diarrhoea should not attend school until 48 hours after the last episode. This helps to reduce the risk of infection spreading within the school. Parents are asked to keep children at home during this period and inform the school of the absence.

guidance on infection control in schools poster.pdf