St Clement Danes Primary School Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions
ST CLEMENT DANES CoE PRIMARY SCHOOL SUPPORTING PUPILS AT SCHOOL WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS POLICY Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on governing bodies of maintained schools to make arrangements for supporting pupils at school with medical conditions. Guidance issued by the Secretary of State came into force from 1 st September 2014. St. Clement Danes School endeavours to ensure that all its pupils achieve success in their academic work, in their relationships and in their day to day experiences at school. Some of our pupils are likely to have medical conditions which mean that additional measures are required to ensure that they are enabled to have full access to the curriculum, that the impact of their medical condition upon their life in school is minimised as far as possible, and that all staff who work with the pupil understand the nature of their difficulties and how best to help them. The School accepts that the following practices would be unacceptable: - Penalising children for their attendance record if their absences were related to their medical condition, e.g. hospital appointments. - Preventing children from participating in any aspect of school life, including school trips, eg by requiring parents to accompany the child. In line with our safeguarding duties, the Governing Body will ensure that pupils health is not put at unnecessary risk from, for example, infectious diseases. The School therefore do not have to accept a child in school at times where it would be detrimental to the health of that child or others to do so. While there is no legal or contractual duty on teachers to administer medicines or supervise pupils taking their medicines we would wish to support our pupils where we can. Pupils with special medical conditions have the same right of admission to school as other children and cannot be excluded from school on medical grounds alone. Teachers and support staff are in loco parentis and may need to take swift action in an emergency, both in school and off site, for example during school trips. The prime responsibility for a pupil s health lies with the parent or carer who is responsible for the pupil s medication and should supply the school with any relevant information. AIMS The aim is to ensure that all children with medical conditions, in terms of both physical and mental health, are properly supported in school so that they can play a full and active role in school life, remain healthy and achieve their academic potential. St Clement Danes School will do this through: Assisting parents in providing medical care for their children Educating staff and pupils in respect of special medical needs Adopting and implementing any national or LA policies in relation to medication in schools Providing appropriate training for staff who volunteer to support individual pupils with special medical conditions. Liaising as necessary with medical services in support of the pupil Ensuring that pupils with medical conditions are enabled to access the full life of the school and enjoy the same opportunities as any other child where possible Maintaining appropriate records
Ensuring children with medical conditions are reintegrated thoroughly after periods of absence Any member of staff will know what to do and respond accordingly when they become aware that a pupil with a medical condition needs help. ENTITLEMENT The school accepts that pupils with medical conditions have a right to the full education available to other pupils, should be enabled to achieve full attendance and receive necessary proper care and support. The School will actively support pupils with medical conditions to ensure that they are able to fully take part in sporting activities, trips and residential visits, making reasonable adjustments. Risk assessments will be carried out in consultation with parents and other agencies. The school accepts all employees have rights in relation to supporting pupils with medical needs in relation to: Choosing whether or not to become involved Receiving appropriate training Working to clear guidelines Having concerns about legal liability Bringing any concerns they have about supporting pupils with medical conditions to the management. EXPECTATIONS We do not expect parents to ask staff to administer medication unless: (a) it is absolutely essential and that this takes place during school hours; and (b) that the pupil is unable to do so him/herself either because of the complexity of the procedure or because the pupil would not normally have access to prescription medications without supervision. Where parents have asked school to administer the medication for their child we expect them to ask provide only the quantity required for school use. The prescription and dosage regime should be typed or printed clearly on the outside. The name of the pharmacist should be visible. Any medications not presented properly will not be accepted by school staff. The school will deal with each request to administer medication or offer other support to a pupil with special medical conditions separately. The school will liaise with the School Health Service for advice and information about a pupil s special medical condition, and will seek support from the relevant practitioners where necessary and in the interests of the pupil. SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS Where a pupil with medical needs also has special educational needs then: - If the pupil has a statement of special educational needs or an education health and care plan, then any Individual Health Plan that they may require will either be linked to that document or be included within it.
- If the pupil has no statement of special educational needs or an education health and care plan, then the pupil s special educational needs will be referred to within any Individual Health Plan that they may require. PRACTICE Medicines will only be administered in school when it is detrimental to a child s health or school attendance not to do so. When a parent requests that we administer medication in school we will: Firstly persuade the parents to give the medication outside of school if the dose frequency allows it. Ask the school s identified person, Mrs Leonard, to consider whether or not she is prepared to administer the medication. Deputise to a senior first aider in Mrs Leonard s absence Obtain written consent from the parent for the administration of the medication. Set up a care plan for the pupil. Ensure the medication is in date, in the original container, contains instructions for administration, dosage and storage. Ensure that the medication is kept in a secure place during the school day, that it is only accessed by Mrs Leonard, and that each time the medication is administered the school s medication record is completed, including the time and dosage given. Any side effects will be recorded. Asthmas inhalers are stored in classrooms and epi-pens are kept (unlocked) in the administrator s cupboard Ensure the pupil knows where the medication is kept. At the end of the school day or at the end of each week, or at the end of each term (whichever is appropriate) we will ensure that any left over medication is handed back to the parent / carer by Mrs Leonard. If the parent/carer does not come to school to collect the medication it will be destroyed using approved methods and this will be recorded in the medication register. When the pupil comes to the end of his/her course of treatment the care plan will be marked treatment completed but will be retained on the pupil s school record should it be needed for future reference. The school will also keep the medication record in the school s secure archives so that any future queries can be resolved. A dated record of the medication provided to pupils will be kept in the cupboard with the medicines so that the school knows the drugs held on the premises at all times. A record of the calls made to parents when a child has received a bump to the head or has been unwell is kept in the staffroom. Alert supply teachers to pupil s needs through the supply induction form provided daily Regulations have changed to allow schools to hold and administer asthma inhalers for emergency use. Staff have been advised to administer an epi-pen or asthma inhaler to a child who has not been prescribed one where their condition is life threatening or to a child who is known to require this medication but does to have their own supply at school. A call to the emergency services before this is recommended. (Senior School Nurse September 2015)
School staff are insured to administer medication under the school s public liability insurance. Insurance details: AXA Policy Number YS MLP6870457. TRANSITION BETWEEN SCHOOLS We work in partnership with parents to ensure a smooth and safe transition by ensuring timely communication with relevant professionals at the new school, to ensure transfer of all relevant data including any IHPs. Our Family Practitioner meets Year Group Leaders at the new school to share information for vulnerable pupils. IN AN EMERGENCY If a child with a medical condition becomes unwell help will be sought from Mrs Leonard. In her absence a school first aider will be available. The School health care plan will be consulted and medication given if required. If a deeper level of care is needed, continual appropriate adult supervision will be provided whilst advice is sought from the emergency services. The following procedure will be carried out: The child will not be moved A first aider should be sent for The child will not be left unattended Once the child has been assessed by the first aider a decision will be made as to the seriousness of the condition If an ambulance is required The following steps are vital to ensure that the best care is given to the injured person The first aider will wait with the child The person who witnessed the incident/crisis will go to the office to speak to the emergency team. This is to make certain that correct information is relayed about the incident and the condition of the child including any medication information. When the ambulance has been called, the witness to the accident will wait at the school gate on the kerb to greet the emergency team and relay the information directly to them. The parents will be alerted by administrative staff. A member of staff will accompany the child to the hospital. The witness will write a detailed and clear account of the incident immediately after the event. POLICY IMPLEMENTATION This policy will be reviewed annually in September and will be accessible to parents and staff thereafter via the school website. The policy will be provided to members of staff joining the school mid-year. Staff with immediate responsibility for working with pupils with medical conditions will be provided with this policy annually and will understand their role in its implementation. Pupils with medical conditions will be involved in discussions about their provision where possible and where appropriate.
Parents as key partners will be consulted on the policy and in reviews of their child s health care plans. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES It is the responsibility of the Headmistress to ensure staff are suitably trained to carry out support for children with medical conditions. Staff training needs will be assessed regularly and according to the severity of the condition. Training requirements will be assessed with the support of heath care professionals and in conjunction with the health care plans. Supporting the child is not the sole responsibility of any one member of staff. The School will work cooperatively with other agencies including health care professionals, the Local Authority and parents. Staff and parents will decide if a child is competent to carry their own medication and selfmedicate. Supervision will be provided if self-medication is deemed appropriate. COMPLAINTS Complaints relating to support for pupils with medical conditions The Headmistress and staff are keen to respond to any complaints, suggestions, observations and criticisms, particularly if they are delivered in a constructive and helpful way. The procedure for official complaints regarding the education and welfare of any child or children is set out below. In the first instance, parents should speak to the child s teacher at the beginning or end of the school day. If the matter requires further discussion, the teacher will arrange a mutually convenient time to sit down and pursue the matter at length. Support from Mrs Leonard as senior first aider may be provided. If the parents are still not satisfied, the teacher will arrange a time when the matter can be pursued further with the Deputy Head or the Headmistress. If the Headmistress is unable to resolve the problem, the parents are welcome to write to the Chair of Governors. Any member of our office staff will be happy to forward letters to the Chair of Governors via the Clerk to the Governors. The Chair of Governors will consult the LDBS Complaints Guidance. Last Review Date: September 2015 Next Review Date: September 2016