Sacred Heart Primary School part of St Hilda’s Catholic Academy Trust

Administering Medicines Policy

School Procedures

No child should be given medicines without their parent’s written consent. (Ref attached consent form.) The named members of staff who have agreed to give medicine to children are;

  • Mrs P Laverick
  • Mrs R Macdonald
  • Miss M Jablonska
  • Miss J Blenkinsop

Staff must complete and sign a record each time they give medicine to a child. Good records help demonstrate that staff have exercised a duty of care. In some circumstances such as the administration of rectal diazepam, it is good practice to have the dosage and administration witnessed by a second adult.

Staff should check:

  • The child’s name
  • Prescribed dose
  • Expiry date
  • Written instructions provided by the prescriber on the label or container

If in doubt about any procedure staff should not administer the medicines but check with the parents or a health professional before taking further action. If staff have any other concerns related to administering medicines to a particular child, the issue should be discussed with the parent, if appropriate, or with a health professional attached to the school or setting.

Teaching and support staff will take part in regular epi-pen and asthma training. Staff administering medicines should complete Form D (appendix 6)

Self Management

It is good practice to support and encourage children, who are able, to take responsibility to manage their own medicines from a relatively early age and we will encourage this. The age at which children are ready to take care of, and be responsible for, their own medicines, varies. As children grow and develop they should be encouraged to participate in decisions about their medicines and to take responsibility.

Older children with a long-term illness should, whenever possible, assume complete responsibility under the supervision of their parent or staff. Children develop at different rates and so the ability to take responsibility for their own medicines varies. This should be borne in mind when making a decision about transferring responsibility to a child or young person. There is no set age when this transition should be made. There may be circumstances where it is not appropriate for a child of any age to self-manage. Health professionals need to assess, with parents and children, the most suitable time to make this transition.

If children can take their medicines themselves, staff may only need to supervise. Children may carry and administer their own medicine, in the case of asthma, but all other medication should be kept safely in the Admin Kitchen.

Refusing Medicines

If a child refuses to take medicine, staff should not force them to do so, but they should note this is in the records and follow agreed procedures. The procedures may be set out in an Individual’s Healthcare Plan (IHP). Parents should be informed of the refusal to take medicine on the same day. If a refusal to take medicines results in an emergency an ambulance should be called and parents informed immediately.

Record Keeping

Parents should tell the school about the medicines that their child needs to take and provide details of any changes to the prescription or the support required. However staff should make sure that this information is the same as that provided by the prescriber.

Medicines should always be provided in the original container as dispensed by a pharmacist and include the prescriber’s instructions. In all cases it is necessary to check that written details include:

  • Name of child
  • Name of medicine
  • Dose
  • Method of administration
  • Time/frequency of administration
  • Any side effects
  • Expiry date

Forms B (appendix 5) should be completed by parents and staff should check that any details provided by parents, or in particular cases by a paediatrician or specialist nurse, are consistent with the instructions on the container.

EYFS MUST keep written records of all medicines administered to children, and make sure that parents sign the records.

Although there is no legal requirement for schools to keep records of medicines given to parents and the staff involved, we recognise it is good practice to do so.

Individual Healthcare Plans

IHPs will be completed for any child with a diagnosed medical condition, e.g. asthma, epilepsy etc. Ref templates - Appendix 1 - 4 Mrs Cutler (SENCo) is responsible for completion of IHPs.

Educational Visits

We recognise it is good practice to encourage children with medical needs to participate in safely managed visits. All necessary steps will be taken when planning arrangements for visits which will include children with medical needs. This will also include risk assessments for such children.

On such occasions;

  • An additional supervisor, parent or another volunteer may be requested to accompany a particular child
  • All necessary arrangements for taking medicines will be taken into consideration.
  • Staff supervising excursions should always be aware of any medical needs and relevant emergency procedures.
  • A copy of any IHPs should be taken on visits in the event of the information being needed in an emergency.

If staff is concerned about whether they can provide for a child’s safety, or the safety of other children on a visit, they should speak to the Headteacher, who may in turn seek parental views and medical advice.

Sporting Activities

Most children with medical conditions can participate in physical activities and extra-curricular sport. In Sacred Heart School there will be sufficient flexibility for all children to follow in ways appropriate to their own abilities. We realise for many children, physical activity can benefit their overall social, mental and physical health and well-being. Any restrictions on a child’s ability to participate in PE should be recorded in their IHP. All adults should be aware of issues of privacy and dignity for children with particular needs.

Some children may need to take precautionary measures before or during exercise, and should always be allowed immediate access to their medicines such as asthma inhalers. Staff supervising sporting activities should consider whether risk assessments are necessary for some children, be aware of relevant medical conditions and any preventative medicine that may need to be taken and any emergency procedures.

Home to School Transport

Local authorities arrange home to school transport where legally required to do so. They MUST make sure that pupils are safe during the journey. Most pupils with medical needs do require supervision on school transport, but Local Authorities should provide appropriate trained escorts if they consider them necessary. Guidance should be sought from the child’s GP or paediatrician.

All drivers and escorts will receive training and support re administering medicines as and when appropriate.

Where pupils have life threatening conditions, specific IHPs will be carried on vehicles. We will advise the Local Authority and its transport contractors of particular issues for individual children. The IHP will specify the steps to be taken to support the normal care of the pupil as well as the appropriate responses to emergency situations.

To reduce risks to pupils with severe allergic reactions eating in vehicles is not permitted.

Chair of Governors:…………………………………….

Head of School:………………………………………………

Appendix 1

Individual Health Care Plan

School: Sacred Heart Primary School

Child’s Name / Photo
D.O.B. / Consent for photo to be
Parent / Carer Name / obtained from parent and
Address / passport size photo provided
Child’s medical condition / diagnosis

Emergency Contact Details

1st Contact / 2nd Contact
Name: / Name:
Relationship: / Relationship:
Contact Numbers:
Home:
Work:
Mobile: / Contact Numbers:
Home:
Work:
Mobile:
G.P name and contact no: / Clinic/ Hospital Contact name and no:
Describe medical needs and give details of the child’s symptoms
Daily care requirements in school (e.g. before sport / lunchtime)
Date completed/ Reviewed / Any changes Yes or No* / Signed and Print name / Copies shared with Gp / School / Parent / Date

*if yes please complete a new individual health care plan

Appendix 2

Individual Health Care Plan (Asthma)

School: Sacred Heart Primary School

Child’s Name / Photo
D.O.B. / Consent for photo to be
Parent / Carer Name / obtained from parent and
Address / passport size photo provided
Child’s medical condition / diagnosis
(Asthma, shortness of breath and wheezing chest).

Emergency Contact Details

1st Contact / 2nd Contact
Name: / Name:
Relationship: / Relationship:
Contact Numbers:
Home:
Work:
Mobile: / Contact Numbers:
Home:
Work:
Mobile:
G.P name and contact no: / Clinic/ Hospital Contact name and no:
Describe medical needs and give details of the child’s symptoms
For example, shortness of breath, wheezing chest or seasonal.
Daily care requirements in school (e.g. before sport / lunchtime)
As and when needed
Describe what constitutes an emergency for the child, and the action to take if this occurs. (If specialist care plan/protocol please attach)
Symptoms of an asthma attack:
  • Cough
  • Wheeze
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tightness in chest
The following guidelines are the recommended steps to follow in the event of an asthma attack:
  1. Give ______(number) puffs of reliever inhaler (usually blue), immediately.
  2. Get child to sit down and try to take slow, steady breaths.
  3. If child does not start to feel better, give _____ (number) puffs of reliever inhaler (one puff at a time) every two minutes. You can give up to _____ puffs.
  4. If child does not feel better after taking their inhaler as above, or if you are worried at any time, call 999.
  5. If an ambulance does not arrive within 10 minutes and the child is still feeling unwell, repeat step 3.
If the child’s symptoms improve and you do not need to call 999, they still need to see a doctor or asthma nurse within 24 hours.
Follow up care (if applicable)
Time to sit calmly to catch breath.
Review the event
Follow up care (if applicable)
Time to sit calmly to catch breath.
Review the event
Who is responsible in an emergency (state if different for offsite activity)
Class teacher
First Aider
Head teacher
Date completed/ Reviewed / Any changes Yes or No* / Signed and Print name / Copies shared with Gp / School / Parent / Date

*if yes please complete a new individual health care plan

Appendix 3

EPILEPSY HEALTH CARE PLAN

Name of child
Date of birth
Address
Postcode
School/placement
Class
Head Teacher Class Teacher
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
(1st Contact)
Name
Relationship
Telephone No.
Home:
Mobile:
Work: / (2nd Contact)
Name
Relationship
Telephone No.
Home:
Mobile:
Work:
Consultant
Telephone No. / GP
Telephone No.
Current Medication
Rescue Medication -
Current emergency medication protocol in place YES/NO
Description of seizures
Action to be taken during seizure
Criteria for the administration of emergency medication
Criteria for the administration of emergency medication
When should emergency contact be called?
When should an ambulance be called?
Follow up care.
Name of persons who can administer emergency medication
Name Position
Name Position
Name Position
Name Position
Name Position
Healthcare plan agreed by -
Name / Relationship / Signature / Date

Appendix 4

Individual Health Care Plan (Allergy)

School Sacred Heart Primary School

Child’s Name / Photo
D.O.B. / Consent for photo to be
Parent / Carer Name / obtained from parent and
Address / passport size photo provided
Child’s medical condition / diagnosis

Emergency Contact Details

1st Contact / 2nd Contact
Name / Name
Relationship / Relationship
Contact Numbers;
Home
Work
Mobile / Contact Numbers;
Home
Work
Mobile
G.P name and contact no / Clinic/ Hospital Contact name and no
Describe medical needs and give details of the child’s symptoms
  • Swollen lips
  • Urticarial (nettle, rash/hives) pale pink and intensely itchy
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Gasping or choking
  • Difficulty in breathing, leading to loss of consciousness/faint
  • Dizziness
If the child develops two or more of these symptoms, immediate action is required.
Where is the Epipen stored?
In classroom and office
Action required
  1. Remain calm
  2. Send someone to call 999 for a paramedic ambulance
  3. If collapsed lay the child on their side in the recovery position
  4. Remove the adrenaline auto injector from the packaging and pull off the grey safety cap.
  5. Place the black tip on the child’s thigh, at right angles to the leg.
  6. Press hard into the thigh until the auto injector mechanism functions and hold in place for at least 10 seconds.
  7. Remove the adrenalin auto injector from the thigh and note the time.
  8. Massage the injection site for several seconds.
  9. Stay with the child.
SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Follow up care (if applicable)
Review why the event occurred
Who is responsible in an emergency(state it different for offsite activity)
Date completed/ Reviewed / Any changes Yes or No* / Signed and Print name / Copies shared with Gp / School / Parent / Date

*if yes please complete a new individual health care plan

Appendix 5

Template B: parental agreement for setting to administer medicine

The school/setting will not give your child medicine unless you complete and sign this form, and the school or setting has a policy that the staff can administer medicine.

Date for review to be initiated by
Name of school/setting
Name of child
Date of birth
Group/class/form
Medical condition or illness
Medicine
Name/type of medicine
(as described on the container)
Expiry date
Dosage and method
Timing
Special precautions/other instructions
Are there any side effects that the school/setting needs to know about?
Self-administration – y/n
Procedures to take in an emergency
NB: Medicines must be in the original container as dispensed by the pharmacy
Contact Details
Name
Daytime telephone no.
Relationship to child
Address
I understand that I must deliver the medicine personally to / [agreed member of staff]

The above information is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate at the time of writing and I give consent to school/setting staff administering medicine in accordance with the school/setting policy. I will inform the school/setting immediately, in writing, if there is any change in dosage or frequency of the medication or if the medicine is stopped.

Signature(s)______Date______

Sacred Heart Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Sacred Heart Primary School part of St Hilda’s Catholic Academy Trust

Appendix 6

Template D: record of medicine administered to all children

Name of school/setting

DateChild’s nameTimeName ofDose givenAny reactionsSignaturePrint name

medicineof staff

Sacred Heart Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.