Gloucester & Forest Alternative Provision School ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION POLICY G&F ALTERNATIVE PROVISION SCHOOL Date:September 2013 PURPOSE The guidance in this policy is to ensure that pupils with medication needs receive appropriate care and support at GFAPS. The Head teacher accepts responsibility in principle for members of the school staff giving or supervising pupils taking prescribed medication during the school day where those members of staff have volunteered to do so. SCOPE This policy applies to all staff. It does not differentiate between managers, teachers, support and clerical staff. This policy should be read with reference to: GFAPS First Aid Policy GFAPS Physical Contact Policy RESPONSIBILITIES Please note that parents / carers should keep their children at home if acutely unwell or infectious. Parents / carers are responsible for providing the Head teacher or Head of Centre with comprehensive information regarding the pupil s condition and medication. Prescribed medication will not be accepted at any centre without complete written and signed instructions from the parent / carer. If medication is given in a blister pack and the name of the medication is not visible on the blister pack, it should not be accepted and
should never be administered. Replacement package with the name visible on the blister pack should be requested. Staff will not give a non-prescribed medicine to a pupil unless there is specific prior written permission from the parents / carers. Such arrangements must be discussed during induction meetings any agreement made after induction will be recorded and signed by the parent / carer. Only reasonable quantities of medication should be supplied to the school (for example, a maximum of four weeks supply at any one time). In all cases two members of staff should be present, each member of staff should check the medication and dosage. One member of staff to administer and one to witness the correct dosage has been administered and there is no adverse reaction. Where the child travels to the Centre in a taxi parents / carers should ensure the adult has written instructions relating to any medication sent with the pupil and should also make telephone contact with Centre staff. If the parent / carer does not initiate this contact, discussions within leadership teams will identify who will contact the parent / carer. It is the responsibility of parents / carers to notify staff if the pupil s need for medication has ceased. It is the parents / carers responsibility to renew the medication when supplies are running low and to ensure that the medication supplied is within its expiry date. Staff will not make changes to dosages on parental instructions nor will they dispose of medicines. Medicines, which are in use and in date, should be collected by the parent / carer at the end of each term. Date expired medicines or those no longer required for treatment will be returned immediately to the parent / carer for transfer to a community pharmacist for safe disposal. It is the responsibility of the Centre Manager to ensure any specific training is available to centre staff who may volunteer to administer medication. This can be organised through the school nurse. Information required All staff will be made aware of the procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency through our First Aid policy. Each item of medication must be delivered to the school office, in normal circumstances by the parent, in a secure and labelled container as originally dispensed. Each item of medication must be clearly labelled with the following information: Pupil s Name.. Name of medication.. Dosage.. Frequency of administration.. Date of dispensing.
. Storage requirements (if important).. Expiry date. Medication in unlabelled containers should never be accepted or administered. Storage Medication will be kept in a secure place, out of the reach of pupils. Unless otherwise indicated all medication to be administered in school will be locked in a safe place. Medication which needs to be kept in a fridge will be stored in an opaque container. No pupils are allowed in the kitchen at any time without an adult present. If children refuse to take their prescribed medication, staff will not force them to do so, and will inform the parents of the refusal, as a matter of urgency, on the same day. If a refusal to take medicines results in an emergency, the school s emergency procedures will be followed as specified in our First Aid Policy. For each pupil with long-term or complex medication needs, the Head of Centre, will ensure that a Medication Plan and Protocol is drawn up, in conjunction with the appropriate health professionals. We will keep records of administering medication, which will be available for parents / carers, on the form provided in Appendix A. Where it is appropriate to do so, children will be encouraged to administer their own medication, if necessary under staff supervision. Parents / carers will be asked to confirm in writing if they wish their child to carry their medication with them in school, this applies particularly to inhalers etc. Certain medication will have to be stored securely and centre staff will discuss this with parents / carers as and when necessary. Staff will make every effort to continue the administration of medication to a child whilst on trips away from the school premises. Training Staff, who volunteer to assist in the administration of medication, will receive appropriate training/guidance through arrangements made with the school nurse.
Appendix A Gloucester & Forest Alternative Provision School Administration of Medication Pupil Name: D.O.B: Address: Diagnosis Name of drug: Medication: Form: Liquid / tablet /other Strength of medication: Quantity of medication to be given to the school How much to give: Start date: When: End date: Additional Instructions: Emergency contact No. of parent / carer: Name of G.P.: G.P. Tel. No: The above information is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate at the time of writing and I give consent for school staff to administer the medication, in accordance with the school & LA guidance. I will inform the school in writing immediately if there is any change in dosage or frequency of the medicine. I also give consent for appropriate medical attention to be sought as required in an emergency. Signed: (Parent) Date: Signed: (LCM) Date: Data Protection: The information collected on this form will only be used for the purpose of the school administration under DFE guidelines. Data will not be disclosed without your permission to any external sources other than in an emergency, or to the LA
Appendix A Gloucester & Forest Alternative Provision School Record of Medication Administered, as agreed with parent / carers and pupil. Pupil Name: Date Time Dose Staff signature Witness Signature Medication: Name (Print) Role