Medication

As part of inclusion, students should not be excluded from school by virtue of having a medical condition.  To enable a student to attend school, it may be necessary for them to take prescribed medication during the school day.

Non-prescribed medicines

In line with DCSF guidance and Local Authority policy, non-prescribed medicines (including mild painkillers such as aspirin or paracetamol) should not be given, even with the consent of parents/carers.

Prescribed medicines

The governors of the school will allow qualified first-aiders to administer medication to students which has been prescribed by a GP or hospital consultant.  It is the decision of each individual employee whether to accept responsibility for administering prescribed medicine.  The school and individuals take no liability for the administration of medication.  If no member of staff is willing to administer prescribed medication, the school will not be obliged to do so and parents/carers will be informed.  Preferably medication will be administered by parents/carers before or after school.

Procedure for school staff to administer prescribed medicines

• Parents/carers must put in writing their request for school staff to administer prescribed medicines, together with evidence that a medical practitioner has prescribed the medicine and that it is necessary for the medicine to be administered during the school day.  Without this the school will not administer medication.
• Only staff who are willing and are trained first-aiders will administer medication.
• The school will inform parents whether a member of staff is willing to administer the medication and, if so, establish when, where and how this will be done.
• The medicine must be supplied in the pharmacist’s original container, clearly labelled with contents, child’s name, dosage and/or other instructions.
• A written record will be made of when and by whom the medication is administered.

Prescribed Controlled Drugs

• Medication such as Ritalin requires specific additional procedures due to its status as a controlled drug.
• The controlled drug must be brought into school by a responsible adult, not by the student (and must not be sent by post).
• It should be brought in on a weekly basis.
• Tablets must be counted in and kept in a secure place.
• Students should arrive at the office at the same time each day and take their tablet within 15 minutes.
• Students must take the tablet with a glass of water in the presence of a first-aider.

Review date of policy: June 2012