FarlingayeHigh School

Guidelines for procedures involving unwell students in Farlingaye

Policy written: December 2009

It is inevitable that while in school any student may become unwell. The following guidelines outline how staff at Farlingaye respond to such an eventuality and the procedures in place to ensure that the student is safe, supported and aided in their recovery.

Communication

Communication is an essential part of the ensuring that students feel safe when they are unwell and that staff and parents are reassured about the procedures in place.

  • At the start of each year parents are asked to confirm the contact details available on SIMS, including the emergency contact details, work and mobile phone numbers, etc. If a mistake is identified then the Head of Faculty contacts the parents in order to ascertain the correct details.
  • Each year parents are asked to sign and return a slip which acknowledges that their child may be given paracetamol if needed. These slips are kept on a database and if the slip is not received then parents may be contacted as necessary and permission sought.
  • During primary liaison interviews and student induction, the health needs of a child are discussed and the information gathered is put into SIMS, e.g. allergies, medical histories, etc.
  • Staff are reminded of specific medical needs in the annual confidential file. Any student with a serious condition, e.g. epilepsy, heart murmurs, etc, has their details highlighted to staff. As necessary throughout the year, staff briefings, bulletins and e-mail reminders are used to update and /or alert staff to changes to any student’s condition.
  • A number of trained first aiders are always available on site, and first aid kits are situated across the school. Contact can be made with a first aider through the office.

Students too unwell at attend school

If a child is unwell at home then the parents/ carer will decide whether the student is well enough to attend school. The parents will then contact the school on the absence line; 01394 383714.

Reasons for keeping a child at home are varied and these guidelines can not list all of these, however the following should be considered:

  • A student has a temperature
  • A student has an upset stomach, nausea and/or diarrhoea
  • A student has a rash
  • A student has symptoms suggesting a contagious disease or infection; if a disease such as German Measles is confirmed then the school should be informed by the parents
  • A student has an injury or condition which prevents them from safely moving around the school site
  • A student has symptoms which would prevent them from participating in the curriculum or accessing learning

If a student is likely to have a prolonged absence then the parents should inform the Head of Year of the expected length of absence, staff will then provide school work which the student can access at home, this will take a variety of formats including reading around a subject, worksheets, internet based research/resources such as SAM Learning, etc.

Occasionally a student will be absent for a prolonged period of time, e.g. due to pregnancy, mental health issues, etc. In these circumstances the school will apply to the LA for home tutoring usingForm AD5. This application must be supported by medical evidence and in addition indicate the expected time of absence, medium/long term plans for the student, any other agencies involved with the student, etc.

A student should only return to school when they are well enough to access / participate in the curriculum without undue stress. Staff will welcome the students and ensure they are not placed at a disadvantage due to their absence, e.g. recapping the key learning missed.

Students who become unwell during the school day

Any student who becomes unwell during the school day should report to the medical room, which is situated by the school office. A note of the students name and form, together with their symptoms and the time they reported to the office are kept in the medical book, and a note made in the students journal. An assessment of the students situation is then made by a first aider and appropriate action taken.

Minor illnesses

Most minor illnesses are able to be dealt with by the first aid staff on duty. They will discuss the symptoms with the student and then respond to this assessment and the observations made as appropriate.

  • If a students symptoms are mild then appropriate action will be taken to alleviate the students discomfort and to return them to class. E.g. paracetamol may be given for a headache, if parental permission has been given and a note of this is then made in the students journal.
  • If a student has a minor cut or graze then a plaster or dressing will be administered if appropriate. The staff will check that the student is not allergic to the plasters available.
  • Cold/hot compresses are applied to bumps and bruises students present with. Parents are informed of any bumps or bruising observed.

More serious illnesses

A student who injures themselves in school will have their situation assessed in situ by the first aider and then appropriate action will be taken, this may include transporting the student by wheelchair, etc., to the medical room. A student with a prior condition which deteriorates, e.g. epilepsy, diabetes, will be assessed and the necessary medication/action taken. Parents will always be contacted in these situations.

  • If a student displays more serious symptoms/injury or is obviously unable to participate in the curriculum, then the first aider will make an assessment and contact the parent/carer to take the student home.
  • If a student presents with severe symptoms/injury then after assessment the parent/carer and external agencies, e.g. paramedics, are contacted.

If a student needs to go to hospital then an adult must travel with them, this will normally be the parent/carer, but in emergencies a member of staff will accompany the student and meet the parents at the hospital.

Medication

Students should not bring medication into school, e.g. paracetamol, though throat sweets are acceptable.

If a student requires regular medication to control a condition then it is the parent/carers responsibility to ensure that a student requiring medication is provided with this. If a student arrives at school without medication then the parent/carer will be contacted and asked to either bring the required medication into school or to come and take their child home. The student is not allowed to stay in school without the medication being available.

School staff will not administer medication, but may oversee the student taking it. In emergency circumstances medication will be administered, e.g. an epi-pen during an allergic reaction.

Risk Assessment

Each student with more serious medical needs will have a risk assessment prepared and this will be discussed with the parent/carer and appropriate outside agencies, e.g. school nurse, inclusion professionals, etc. A copy of the risk assessment is kept on the students file and the assessment is regularly reviewed.

The risk assessment will cover:

  • A brief summary of the situation.
  • An outline of the risks identified in reference to ….the safe access on the school site, participation in the curriculum, participation in non-curricular activities, and any other risks identified.
  • A summary of the way in which the school is able to address the above risks in order to manage and minimise their impact.
  • The identification of any risks the school can not manage at this time.