SCARCROFTSCHOOL : MEDICAL NEEDS POLICY

Rationale

This policy is designed to meet the needs of children who have been identified by their parent, GP or consultant as having a medical need which may affect their care in school. We seek to provide appropriate safety measures and care for those children, and to ensure that they have access to a broad and balanced curriculum and a wide range of social and extra-curricular activities.

Aims

  • All pupils should have access to the educational and social opportunities provided by the school.
  • All pupils should be able to work safely in school, with proper awareness of their medical needs amongst those responsible for them.
  • All pupils deserve respect and confidentiality regarding their medical needs.

Roles and responsibilities

The INCLUSION LEADER’sresponsibilities include:

  • Acting as the named person responsible for children in school with medical needs.
  • Ensuring that the needs of each child are set out in a Medical Register, which is updated on a termly basis from any new information supplied. This register should have names, photographs and the basic medical needs of each child on the Medical Register.
  • Checking new admission forms for medical conditions, arranging to meet with the parents of these children immediately to draw up either a Medical Alert or a Medical Condition statement, as required.
  • Updating Medical Alerts and Medical Condition statements annually, by contacting parents in writing to check for changes and updating photographs where a child looks significantly different.
  • Providing termlycopies of the Medical Register to the Headteacher, the Business Manager and a copy to be stored in the INCLUSION LEADER’s files. Copies of the section for each class are also to be passed to the relevant class teacher and kept in the classroom
  • Distributing copies of all Medical Alerts as follows:

On the wall of the child’s classroom in the Supply Teacher’s Pack

Into the class teacher’s Inclusion File and a copy on the Teacher’s desk

On the board in the office kitchenette

On the board in the staffroom

On the MSA notice-board

To the Business Manager (in a booklet)

To the Headteacher (in a booklet)

To the School Nurse

  • Providing a copy of the list of children with food allergies, with photographs and appropriate details, for the Catering Staff.
  • Ensuring that the Medical Needs Policy is regularly reviewed with the Governors’ Inclusion Committee and that the appropriate administrative paperwork is in place.
  • Checking and updating individual Medical Boxes on a termly basis, checking that they are sufficient and up to date. The INCLUSION LEADER will inform the parent in writing if any medication is found to have expired.
  • Updating Medical Alerts, with names and photos, on the class teacher’s desk on a termly basis.
  • Arranging annual training sessions with Health Professionals as appropriate for Diabetes, Epilepsy and the use of epipens, ensuring that records are kept of such training, giving dates and staff present.

The Office Team’sresponsibilities are:

  • Acting as the named staff for administering medications which are not self-administered by the child.
  • Having responsibility for the day-to-day administration of prescription and non-prescription medication.
  • Seeking, where possible, another member of staff to oversee the process. Where this is not possible, the person should double check the dosage and the administration details before proceeding.

The Parent’s responsibilities are:

  • Ensuring that their child has the correct medication in school, that it is within its expiry date and that the school has up-to-date information about dosage, administration and emergency procedures.
  • The parent is responsible for disposing safely of any medication which has expired.

Procedures for managing one-off prescription medicines within the school day

If a child is receiving medication for a short-term illness, such as a chest infection or cough, the school will administer the medicine (e.g. antibiotic) within the school day. The medicine must be in its original container as dispensed by the pharmacist and should include the prescriber’s instructions for administration. The parent must complete and sign a Medication Form which authorises school staff to administer the medicine. Details will be given of the following:

  • The dosage
  • The frequency of administration
  • The type of medication

These forms are stored in the school’s Medication File, which is maintained at the school office.A record is made every time the medication is administered, giving details of the time, dose, reaction, type of medication and the name of the member of staff who has administered the medicine.

Procedures for managing prescription medicines linked to medical conditions

Some children are prescribed medication linked to a specific medical condition. Such medication includes:

  • Epipens
  • Insulin
  • Inhalers
  • Piriton
  • Other life-protecting medication

Some of these medications are necessary to keep a child alive in an emergency medical situation, while waiting for an ambulance. Each member of staff has the choice as to whether they are happy to be involved in the administration of such medication. In all such cases, this kind of medication will only be administered by staff who have had specific training from the school nurse or similar Health Professional. The INCLUSION LEADER will maintain records of who has attended such training and when it took place.

These kinds of medication are kept in a named Medical Bag in a locked filing cabinet in the office area. Only those staff who are authorised to dispense such medicines have access to these bags. As with all prescription medication, the parent must complete and sign a Medication Form which authorises school staff to administer the medicine. This is done on an annual basis. Details will be given of the following:

  • The dosage
  • The frequency of administration
  • The type of medication

These forms are stored in the child’s Medical Bag. The parent is responsible for ensuring that the medication kept in school is within its expiry date.

Due to the large size of our Victorian building, leading to a considerable time lapse in getting to the office to retrieve emergency medication, some children may be required to carry their medication on them at all times in a bum bag or shoulder bag. These would normally be the type of medication which is required very quickly in a medical emergency e.g. epipen or inhaler. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that the child has with them what they need to carry each day. Children with diabetes will also carry their blood testing kit and emergency glucose with them at all times. In such cases there would normally be a Health Care Plan, drawn up by the School Nurse.In the case of less severe medical conditions, a Medical Alert is drawn up by the INCLUSION LEADER, to provide guidance for staff on how to support the child’s individual needs. Health Care Plans and Medical Alerts are reviewed annually in consultation with parents.

Due to the nature of such chronic medical conditions and the importance of administering the relevant medication within a very short time-span, Medical Alerts are placed on the class teacher’s desk so that any supply teacher who is not familiar with the school will be alerted to the nature of a child’s specific medical condition.

Some children may need to take precautionary measures prior to or after exercise (e.g. inhalers, glucose). Staff supervising sporting activities must be made aware of the nature of the child’s medical condition and where the appropriate medication is to be kept. If the class teacher decides that the removal of a MedAlert bracelet or necklace is advisable, they must ensure that it is replaced immediately after the activity.

Managing prescription medicines on trips and outings

Any child who requires medication during the school day will be included in school outings and visits. The class teacher will either ensure that the child takes their bum bag / shoulder bag with them or the class teacher will collect their Medical Bag from the filing cabinet. If the child does not normally carry their own medication, the teacher will remain responsible for it for the duration of the trip. The class teacher will also take a class list giving emergency contact details so that a parent could be contacted in the case of a medical emergency.

Any child who requires an inhaler, epipen or diabetic equipment must take their medication with them. It is particularly important that a diabetic child carries extra glucose in case there is an unforeseen delay in returning to school. It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that the appropriate equipment is in school.

Non-prescription medicines

In some circumstances, permission can be given for a child to receive a non-prescription medication. The same permissions apply as for prescription medicines (see above). This might include:

  • Hay fever medication
  • Pain relief for a child who is recovering from a significant injury (however, medication containing aspirin should never be given to any child under 16 without a prescription from a doctor)
  • Rescue remedy during exam situations

Refusal of medicines

If a child refuses to take their medicine, staff should not force them to take it, but should instead contact their parent immediately to seek advice. If a refusal to take medication results in a medical emergency, the appropriate emergency services should be contacted immediately and the parents informed. A record of such a refusal should be made and kept in the Medication File in the office.

Safe storage of medicines

All medications which are not kept on the child must be kept in the locked filing cabinet in the office area or in the office refrigerator if it requires refrigeration. Only those staff who are authorised to dispense such medicines have access to these bags and to the refrigerator. All medication must be passed to the school by an adult. No child will be allowed to hand over or collect medication under any circumstances. Any child self-administering medication will do so under the direct supervision of an adult.

In the case of a child carrying medication in a bum bag / shoulder bag, the school will ensure that the child’s peers understand the importance of the equipment it contains and the fact that it is never to be tampered with. This will be covered sensitively, with the involvement of the child concerned and support from the School Nurse where appropriate.

Support for children with medical needs

Parents have the prime responsibility for their child’s health and should provide school with the relevant information about their child’s medical condition. Support from the School Nurse or a specialist consultant or voluntary body should be sought where necessary. If a child’s medical condition results in a prolonged period of absence from school, the INCLUSION LEADER will liaise with the appropriate Home Education or Hospital service to ensure continued and appropriate education provision (see Policy for the Education of Children Absent Through Ill Health).

If a child has suffered a broken limb, but is able to return to school, they may stay indoors in the office area at breaks and lunchtimes to ensure their safety. If they are on crutches or in a wheelchair, a meeting with a member of the Senior Leadership Team should be called, to discuss the specific arrangements which may need to be put in place and to carry out a risk assessment if necessary.

If a child has a serious food allergy which would require the use of an epipen if the child came into contact with a specific food, the school advises parents against taking school dinners (see Policy on the Provision of Special Diets). If parents prefer to go ahead against the advice of the school, an acknowledgement form will be signed by the parent before proceeding.

If a child has an epileptic seizure at school, the child will be offered time to recover, under supervision, in the medical room (if hospital treatment is not required).

If a medical emergency occurs on the playground, the school’s emergency invacuation procedures will be carried out immediately. This will give the child privacy, while a member of staff remains to administer the appropriate first aid or to provide reassurance while further help is sought. The klaxon will be sounded to get help from all the other staff, while the children report to both halls (infants to the lower hall and juniors to the upper hall).

All children at ScarcroftSchool are included in all activities, lessons and visits, unless their medical needs would make it dangerous or unsafe to do so. In this situation, the school will endeavour to explore the situation with the child and parents, to ensure that a suitable alternative outcome can be agreed upon.

All full-time staff at ScarcroftSchool receive regular First Aid training to ensure that they are well-equipped to administer basic First Aid in the case of a medical emergency. Office and Early Years staff receive Paediatric First Aid training in line with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Controlled drugs

It is possible, although extremely rare, that a child may be prescribed a controlled drug e.g. methylphenidate. Such drugs are controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act. In such cases, the school must:

  • Provide secure storage for such drugs
  • Ensure the safe disposal of such drugs
  • Ensure that a member of staff has been appropriately trained to administer such drugs
  • Ensure that two members of staff are present when administering such drugs
  • Ensure that no other person or child has any contact with such drugs
  • Understand that failure to comply with these requirements would constitute an offence

Useful Contact

Nancy Birch

School Nurse,

School Health Service,

Park Cottage,

The Main Drive,

BoothamPark,

Bootham,

York,

YO30 7BT

(01904) 725332

Last RevisedMarch 2016

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