Pupils with Medical Needs
The school will follow Government guidance and develop an Individual Healthcare Plan for pupils who:
Have long term, complex or fluctuating conditions – these will be detailed using the Pupil Health Information Form
Require medication in emergency situations – this will be detailed in the individual health care plan.
Parents/guardians should provide the Headteacher with sufficient information about their child’s medical condition and treatment or special care needed at school (this includes special diets and allergies). Arrangements can then be made between the parents/guardians, Headteacher, school nurse and other relevant health professionals to ensure that the pupil’s medical needs are managed well during their time in school. Healthcare plans will be reviewed by the school annually or earlier if there is a change in a pupil’s medical condition.
All medication must be supplied by the parent/guardian in the original pharmacist’s container clearly labelled and include details of possible side effects and manufacturer’s instructions and/or patient information leaflet (PIL). Medicines must be delivered to the school office with the appropriate consent form. Please ensure that you hand medication directly to the office or to the escort if your child travels on school transport. Medication should not be put in school bags. The school will inform the parent/guardian by telephone of the time and dose of any emergency medication / pain relief administered, and a note will be made in the home / school diary.
Medicine should only be brought to school when it is essential to administer it during the school day. In the vast majority of cases, doses of medicine can be arranged around the school day thus avoiding the need for medicine in school. Antibiotics, for example, are usually taken three times a day, so can be given with breakfast, on arrival home from school and at bedtime. Administration will be recorded using the school administration of medication form. Any remaining medicine will be sent home once the prescribed course has been completed.
Under exceptional circumstances, where it is deemed that their administration is required to allow the pupil to remain in school, the school will administer the following non-prescription medicines: paracetamol and anti-histamine (please note ibuprofen must be prescribed by the GP). The school will not administer alternative treatments i.e. homeopathic or herbal potions, pills or tinctures, cough sweets or nutrition supplements unless prescribed or recommended by a doctor or dietician and detailed on an IHP or EHCP as part of a wider treatment protocol.