FLOREAT WANDSWORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL

DATE of ADOPTION: September 2015

DATE of LAST REVIEW: December 2017

REVIEWED BY: Headteacher

DATE RATIFIED BY FEAT BOARD:

NEXT REVIEW DATE: December 2018

Supporting Pupils with

Medical Conditions

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Description Tag

Headteacher Matthew Custance

The academic year of the document 2017-2018

Chair of Governors Paul White

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POLICY INFORMATION

Named personnel with designated responsibility

Academic year Designated Senior person

Deputy Designated Senior person

Nominated Governor

Chair of Governors

2016-2017 Matthew Custance

Policy review dates

Review Date Changes made By whom

September 2015 Policy created

December 2016 Yes M. Custance

December 2017

Ratification by Governing Body

Academic year Date of ratification Chair of Governors

2015-2016 September 2015

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CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 6

2 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 6

3 PROCEDURE WHEN NOTIFICATION IS RECEIVED THAT A PUPIL HAS A MEDICAL CONDITION 7

4 INDIVIDUAL HEALTHCARE PLANS (IHCPS) 7

5 ADMINISTERING MEDICINES 7

6 ACTION IN EMERGENCIES 10

7 ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE USUAL CURRICULUM 10

8 UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICE 10

9 COMPLAINTS 11

10 EQUALITY IMPACT STATEMENT 11

11 APPENDIX 1: PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING INDIVIDUAL HEALTHCARE PLANS 12

12 APPENDIX 2: MODEL LETTER INVITING PARENTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO INDIVIDUAL HEALTH CARE PLAN DEVELOPMENT 13

13 APPENDIX 3: INDIVIDUAL HEALTH CARE PLAN 14

14 APPENDIX 4: MEDICINE FORM (FOR PARENTAL CONSENT) 16

15 APPENDIX 5: LOG OF ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES inc. EMERGENCY INHALER 17

16 APPENDIX 6: SCHOOL ASTHMA CARD & ALLERGY ACTION PLAN 18

17 APPENDIX 7: AMBULANCE REQUEST POSTER 19

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1 INTRODUCTION

The Children and Families Act 2014 includes a duty for schools to support children with medical

conditions. Where children have a disability, the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 will also

apply. Where children have an identified special need, the SEN Code of Practice will also apply.

All children have a right to access the full curriculum, adapted to their medical needs, and to receive the

on-going support, medicines or care that they require at school.

We recognise that medical conditions may impact social and emotional development as well as

having educational implications.

Our school will build relationships with healthcare professionals and other agencies in order to support

pupils with medical conditions.

2 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The named person responsible for children with medical conditions is Matthew Custance.

This person is responsible for

Informing relevant staff of medical conditions

Arranging training for identified staff

Ensuring that staff are aware of the need to communicate necessary information about medical

conditions to supply staff and where appropriate, taking the lead in communicating this

information

Assisting with risk assessment for school visits and other activities outside of the normal timetable

Developing, monitoring and reviewing Individual Healthcare Plans

Working together with parents, pupils, healthcare professionals and other agencies

The Governing Body is responsible for

Determining the school’s general policy and ensuring that arrangements are in place to

support children with medical conditions

The Headteacher is responsible for

Overseeing the management and provision of support for children with medical conditions

Ensuring that sufficient trained members of staff are available to implement the policy and

deliver individual healthcare plans, including to cover absence and staff turnover

Ensuring that school staff are appropriately insured and are aware that they are insured (details

of insurance should be made available to staff upon request)

Teachers and Support Staff are responsible for

The day to day management of the medical conditions of children they work with, in line with

training received and as set out in Individual Healthcare Plans (IHCPs)

Working with the named person, ensure that risk assessments are carried out for school visits

and other activities outside of the normal timetable

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Providing information about medical conditions to supply staff who will be covering their

role where the need for supply staff is known in advance

The school nurse is responsible for

Notifying the school when a child has been identified as having a medical condition which will

require support in school. Wherever possible this should be done before the child starts at our

school

Providing support for staff on implementing a child’s individual healthcare plan and

providing advice and liaison including with regard to training

3 PROCEDURE WHEN NOTIFICATION IS RECEIVED THAT A PUPIL HAS

A MEDICAL CONDITION

The named person will liaise with relevant individuals, including as appropriate parents, the

individual pupil, health professionals and other agencies to decide on the support to be provided

to the child

Where appropriate, an Individual Healthcare Plan will be drawn up

Appendix 1 outlines the process for developing individual healthcare plans

4 INDIVIDUAL HEALTHCARE PLANS (IHCPS)

Parents/carers should be invited to attend a meeting to write an IHCP with the named person and any other relevant professionals (see Appendix 2 for a sample letter)

An IHCP will be written for pupils with a medical condition that is long term and complex

(see Appendix 3)

It will clarify what needs to be done, when and by whom and include information about

the child’s condition, special requirements, medicines required, what constitutes an

emergency and action to take in the case of an emergency

IHCPs will be reviewed annually, or earlier if evidence is provided that a child’s

needs have changed

5 ADMINISTERING MEDICINES

Only prescribed medicines are to be brought into school and require a consent form to be completed

by the parent/guardian and must be given into the main office. Medicines must be handed into the main

office for all pupils.

The office will inform teachers of new forms that have been completed and they will be kept in the main

office, along with the pupil’s medicines (in a cabinet or refrigerator). All medicines must be kept in a

NB. Any teacher or support staff member may be asked to provide support to a child with a medical

condition, including administering medicines. However, no member of staff can be required to provide this

support.

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secure location. Children should always be aware of where their medicines are kept. The Office

will keep a master list of the location of all medicines (by default medicines are kept in the

Office).

Medicines are only allowed to be given to children by a qualified First Aider.

No child should be given any medication without parental written consent.

No aspirin products are to be given to any pupil at school, unless prescribed.

If children need to take medication during the school day e.g. antibiotics, the timing and dosage should

be arranged so that the medication can be administered at home, wherever possible.

A “Medical” folder is available in the main office. Folders should hold all the relevant Medicine Forms and

Asthma School Cards for children who are actively taking medicines or using inhalers. These must be

kept in a secure location. When a pupil no longer requires a medicine (as outlined in their Medicine

Form), their forms should be stored in the main office and all relevant medicines must be returned to

their parents directly.

5.1 PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION

Written consent from parents must be received before administering any medicine to a child

at school (see Appendix 4 for Medicine Form for Parents)

Medicines will only be accepted for administration if they are:

o Prescribed

o In-date

o Labelled

o Provided in the original container as dispensed by a pharmacist and include instructions

for administration, dosage and storage

o The exception to this is insulin which must be in date but will generally be available inside

an insulin pen or pump, rather than in its original container

Medicines should be stored safely in the school office and out of reach of all children.

Children should know where their medicines are at all times.

Written records will be kept of all medicines administered to children and kept in the same

office as the medicines (see Appendix 5 for Medicines Log)

Pupils who are competent to manage their own health needs and medicines, after discussion with

parents/carers, will be allowed to carry their own medicines and relevant devices or will be

allowed to access their medicines for self-medication

A School Asthma Card or Allergy Action Plan (see Appendix 6) should be completed by

parents for pupils who require an asthma inhaler at school or who have an identified

allergy. This is in the place of a Medicine Form (Appendix 4). All Asthma Cards and

Allergy Action Plans must be handed into the main office, in accordance with other medicines

above.

N.B. Pupils generally should only use a reliever inhaler (blue in colour) at school. Preventative

inhalers (other colours, such as brown) are generally taken at home (morning/evening). If they

are required at school, the pupil should have an Asthma Plan in place at school. This may be

needed on a residential trip for example.

o See www.asthma.org.uk or phone 0300 222 5800 for further information.

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5.2 NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION

At Floreat Wandsworth, pupils are not to be given non-prescription medicines, unless there has been a

prior agreement with the Headteacher, due to exceptional circumstances. The school may challenge such

a request and seek professional guidance to ensure that alternatives are not possible.

If the Headteacher accepts a request for non-prescription medicines to be administered to a pupil,

parents must complete a Medicines Form (Appendix 4). Such medicines are only to be administered by

the appointed person or a designated person if they have agreed to this extension of their role and have

been appropriately trained.

A teacher may administer non-prescription medication on a residential school trip provided that written

consent has been obtained in advance. This may include travel sickness pills or pain relief.

All medication administered must be documented, signed for and parents should be informed in writing,

on the same day, or as soon as possible. This should be done using a new Medicines Log (Appendix 5) for

each child in this circumstance, so a copy may be given to the parents.

A child should never be given medicine containing aspirin, unless prescribed by a doctor.

EYFS Guidance: Parents are asked to complete a consent form at the start of the academic year to cover

the administration of non-prescription medicines by a school first aider, only when deemed necessary by

the Headteacher, in exceptional circumstances. Under changes to EYFS guidance (January 2012), this is

now also acceptable in the case for EYFS pupils, provided that parents are contacted immediately before

the administration of the medication. In all cases, which rely on such on-going consent, parents must,

nevertheless, be informed in writing that the administration of medication has taken place. This should

be done using a new Medicines Log (Appendix 5) for each child in this circumstance, so a copy may be

given to the parents.

Please see the school’s policy on Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions for guidance and

forms for medicines/asthma inhalers and forms for recording the administration non-

prescription medicines.

5.3 ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION

The medication must be checked before administration by the member of staff confirming the

medication name, pupil name, dose, time to be administered and the expiry date.

Explain to the pupil that his or her parents have requested the administration of the medication.

Document, date and sign for what has been administered.

o Log the administration of prescribed medicines in the “Medical” folder (Appendix 5)

o For non-prescribed medicines, log the administration of the medicine and provide a copy of

this for parents (see section 5.2). A copy must kept in the “Medical folder” for school records.

Ensure that the medication is correctly stored securely, out of the reach of pupils. Antibiotics or

any other medication, which require refrigeration, should be stored in a suitable fridge.

Parents should be asked to dispose of any out of date medication.

Used needles and syringes must be disposed of in a sharps box.

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5.4 EMERGENCY MEDICATION

It is the parents’ responsibility to inform the school of any long-term medical condition that may require

regular or emergency medication to be given. In these circumstances a health care plan may be required

and this will be completed and agreed with parents.

6 ACTION IN EMERGENCIES

A copy of this information will be displayed in the school office (see Appendix 7).

Request an ambulance – dial 999 and be ready with the information below:

1. The school’s telephone number

2. Your name

3. Your location and postcode

4. Provide the exact location of the patient within the school

5. Provide the name of the child and a brief description of their symptoms

6. Inform ambulance control of the best entrance to use and state that the crew will be met and

taken to the patient

Ask office staff to contact premises to open relevant gates for entry

Contact the parents to inform them of the situation

A member of staff should stay with the pupil until the parent/carer arrives. If a parent/carer does not arrive

before the pupil is transported to hospital, a member of staff should accompany the child in the ambulance.

7 ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE USUAL CURRICULUM

Reasonable adjustments will be made to enable pupils with medical needs to participate fully and

safely in day trips, residential visits, sporting activities and other activities beyond the usual

curriculum

When carrying out risk assessments, parents/carers, pupils and healthcare professionals will be

consulted where appropriate

8 UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICE

The following items are considered unacceptable practice with regard to children with medical conditions, although the school will use discretion to respond to each individual case in the most appropriate manner.

Preventing children from easily accessing their inhalers and medication and administering their

medication when and where necessary

Assuming that every child with the same condition requires the same treatment

Ignoring the views of the child or their parents; or ignoring medical evidence or opinion, (although

this may be challenged)

Sending children with medical conditions home frequently or prevent them from staying for

normal school activities, including lunch, unless this is specified in their individual healthcare

plans

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If the child becomes ill, sending them to the school office or medical room unaccompanied or with

someone unsuitable

Penalising children for their attendance record if their absences are related to their medical

condition e.g. hospital appointments

Preventing pupils from drinking, eating or taking toilet or other breaks whenever they need to in

order to manage their medical condition effectively

Requiring parents, or otherwise making them feel obliged, to attend school to administer

medication or provide medical support to their child, including with toileting issues. No

parent should have to give up working because the school is failing to support their child’s

medical needs

Preventing children from participating, or create unnecessary barriers to children participating in

any aspect of school life, including school trips, e.g. by requiring parents to accompany the child

9 COMPLAINTS

An individual wishing to make a complaint regarding the school’s actions in supporting

a child with medical conditions should discuss this with the Headteacher in the first

instance

If the issue is not resolved, then a formal complaint may be made, following the complaints

procedure

10 EQUALITY IMPACT STATEMENT

We will do all we can to ensure that this policy does not discriminate, directly or indirectly. We

shall do this through regular monitoring and evaluation of our policies. On review we shall consult

relevant stakeholders on the likely impact of our policies on the promotion of all aspects of

equality, as laid down in the Equality Act (2010). This will include, but not necessarily be limited to:

race; gender; sexual orientation; disability; ethnicity; religion; cultural beliefs and

pregnancy/maternity. We will use an appropriate Equality Impact Assessment to monitor the

impact of all our policies and the policy may be amended as a result of this assessment.

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11 APPENDIX 1: PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING INDIVIDUAL

HEALTHCARE PLANS

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12 APPENDIX 2: MODEL LETTER INVITING PARENTS TO CONTRIBUTE

TO INDIVIDUAL HEALTH CARE PLAN DEVELOPMENT

Date XXXX Dear Parent

DEVELOPING AN INDIVIDUAL HEALTHCARE PLAN FOR YOUR CHILD Thank you for informing us of your child’s medical condition. I enclose a copy of the school’s policy for supporting pupils at school with medical conditions for your information. A central requirement of the policy is for an individual healthcare plan to be prepared, setting out what support the each pupil needs and how this will be provided. Individual healthcare plans are developed in partnership between the school, parents, pupils, and the relevant healthcare professional who can advise on your child’s case. The aim is to ensure that we know how to support your child effectively and to provide clarity about what needs to be done, when and by whom. Although individual healthcare plans are likely to be helpful in the majority of cases, it is possible that not all children will require one. We will need to make judgements about how your child’s medical condition impacts on their ability to participate fully in school life, and the level of detail within plans will depend on the complexity of their condition and the degree of support needed. A meeting to start the process of developing your child’s individual health care plan has been scheduled for xx/xx/xx. I hope that this is convenient for you and would be grateful if you could confirm whether you are able to attend. The meeting will involve [the following people]. Please let us know if you would like us to invite another medical practitioner, healthcare professional or specialist and provide any other evidence you would like us to consider at the meeting as soon as possible. If you are unable to attend, it would be helpful if you could complete the attached individual healthcare plan template and return it, together with any relevant evidence, for consideration at the meeting. I [or another member of staff involved in plan development or pupil support] would be happy for you contact me [them] by email or to speak by phone if this would be helpful. Yours sincerely

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13 APPENDIX 3: INDIVIDUAL HEALTH CARE PLAN

Individual Health Care Plan Name of school/setting

Child’s name

Class & Year Group

Date of birth

Child’s address

Medical diagnosis or condition

Date

Review date

Family Contact Information

Name

Relationship to child

Phone no. (work)

(home)

(mobile)

Name

Relationship to child

Phone no. (work)

(home)

(mobile)

Clinic/Hospital Contact

Name

Phone no.

G.P.

Name

Phone no.

Who is responsible for providing support in school

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Describe medical needs and give details of child’s symptoms, triggers, signs, treatments, facilities, equipment or devices, environmental issues etc

Name of medication, dose, method of administration, when to be taken, side effects, contra-indications, administered by/self-administered with/without supervision

Daily care requirements

Specific support for the pupil’s educational, social and emotional needs

Arrangements for school visits/trips etc

Other information

Describe what constitutes an emergency, and the action to take if this occurs

Who is responsible in an emergency (state if different for off-site activities)

Plan developed with

Staff training needed/undertaken – who, what, when

Form copied to

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14 APPENDIX 4: MEDICINE FORM (FOR PARENTAL CONSENT)

FLOREAT WANDSWORTH MEDICINE FORM Name of School Floreat Wandsworth

Name of Child

Date of birth

Class

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 needs to know about?

Self-administration – Y/N ?

NB: Medicines must be in the original container as dispensed by the pharmacy.

Parent/Carer Details

Name

Contact number

Relationship to child

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

⃝ I have administered at least one dose of the medication to my child without adverse effects.

Signature_________________________________________ Date_____________________

15 APPENDIX 5: LOG OF ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES

LOG OF ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES / EMERGENCY INHALER

(Children must have a completed active medical form for their medication before it can be administered) (EMERGENCY INHALER- No active medical form is required for the administering of this medication – but must be administered by a First Aid trained staff member)

Child’s name Date Time Name of Medicine (as on the prescription)

Dosage/Application area (e.g. 2 pumps, 5ml, lips)

Administered by (first aiders name and signature)

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16 APPENDIX 6: SCHOOL ASTHMA CARD & AAP

These forms are available on the P drive in the Medical Folder. It is also available at: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/resources/#schools

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17 APPENDIX 7: AMBULANCE REQUEST POSTER

IN CASE OF MEDICAL EMERGENCY

DIAL 999 AND REQUEST AN AMBULANCE

Be ready with the information below:

1. The school’s telephone number: 020 8353 4195

2. Your name

3. Your location and postcode: 305 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, SW18 4EQ

4. Provide the exact location of the patient within the school

5. Provide the name of the child and a brief description of their symptoms

6. Inform ambulance control of the best entrance to use and state that the crew will

be met and taken to the patient

e.g. Farlton Road/Garratt Lane (Main Office)

Ask office staff to contact premises to open relevant gates for entry

Contact the parents to inform them of the situation

A member of staff should stay with the pupil until the parent/carer arrives. If

a parent/carer does not arrive before the pupil is transported to hospital, a member

of staff should accompany the child in the ambulance.