Health Articles

The st

THE ST. CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL Academy Trust - Special School Mountdale Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 4AW Head Teacher: Mrs. J. Mullan Telephone: (01702) 524193 Fax: (01702) 526761 A Residential Respite Care / E.Mail: [email protected] Sports Hal Facility THE ST. CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST
SUPPORTING PUPILS AT SCHOOL WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS POLICY

First Written:
October 2014
Revisions:

1. Introduction
The Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on the Governing Body and Senior Leadership Team to
make arrangements for supporting pupils at the school with medical conditions. Pupils with medical
conditions cannot be denied admission or excluded from school on medical grounds alone unless accepting
a child in school would be detrimental to the health of that child or others.
Some children with medical conditions may be disabled. Where this is the case governing bodies must
comply with their duties under the Equality Act 2010. Some may also have special educational needs (SEN)
and may have a statement or Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. For children with SEN, this guidance
should be read in conjunction with the SEN Code of Practice.
The aim of this document 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 and achieve
their potential.
This policy will be reviewed regularly and will be readily accessible to parents/carers and staff through the
school website.
2. Policy Implementation
The overall responsibility for the successful administering and implementation of this policy is Wendy
Millington, she is responsible for ensuring that sufficient staff are suitably trained and will ensure cover
arrangements in case of staff absence or staff turnover to ensure that someone is always available. Miss
Millington will be responsible for medical information, ensuring information is up to date for risk
assessments for school visits, holidays and other school activities outside of the normal timetable and for
the monitoring of Individual Healthcare Plans.
All staff will be expected to show a commitment and awareness of children's medical conditions. New
members of staff will be inducted into the arrangements.
3. Pupils with medical conditions
Pupils with long term and complex medical conditions may require on-going support, medicines or care while at school to help them manage their condition and keep them well. Others may require monitoring and interventions in emergency circumstances. A Company Registered in England Number: 07973980 - Limited by guarantee Children's health needs may change over time, in ways that cannot always be predicted, sometimes
resulting in extended absences. Reintegration back into school will be properly supported so that pupils
with medical conditions will fully engage with learning and not fall behind.
4. Roles and Responsibilities
Supporting a child with a medical condition during school hours is not the sole responsibility of one person. Collaborative working arrangements and working in partnership will ensure that the needs of pupils with medical conditions are met effectively. The Governing Body will ensure that the school develops and implements a policy for supporting
pupils with medical conditions. It will ensure that sufficient staff have received suitable training and
are competent before they take on the responsibility to support children with medical conditions. It
will ensure that the appropriate level of insurance is in place to cover staff providing support to pupils
with medical conditions.
The Headteacher will ensure that the school's policy is developed and effectively implemented with
partners. S/he will ensure that all staff are aware of the policy and understand their role in its
implementation. S/he will make sure that sufficient numbers of staff are available to implement the
policy and deliver against all Individual Healthcare Plans, including in emergency and contingency
situations. The Headteacher has the overall responsibility for the development of Individual
Healthcare Plans. She will make sure that school staff are appropriately insured and are aware that
they are insured to support pupils in this way. The Headteacher will contact the school nursing service
in the case of any child who has a medical condition that may require support at school.
School staff may be asked to provide support to pupils with medical conditions, including the
administering of medicines, although they cannot be required to do so. Although administering
medicines is not part of teachers' professional duties, they should take into account the needs of
pupils with medical conditions that they teach. Any member of staff should know what to do and
respond accordingly when they become aware that a pupil with a medical condition needs help.
School nurses are responsible for notifying the school when a child has been identified as having a
medical condition which will require support at school. School nurses may support staff on
implementing a child's Individual Healthcare Plan and provide advice and liaison.
Other healthcare professionals, including GPs and paediatricians notify the school nurse when a child
has been identified as having a medical condition that will require support at school. They may
provide advice on developing healthcare plans.
Pupils will be fully involved in discussions about their medical support needs and will contribute as
much as possible to the development of their individual healthcare plan since they know best how
their condition affects them. Other pupils in the school will be sensitive to the needs of those with
medical conditions.
Parents/carers will provide the school with up-to-date information about their child's medical needs.
They will be involved in the development and review of their child's individual healthcare plan. They
will carry out any action they have agreed to as part of its implementation and ensure they or another
nominated adult are contactable at all times.
Local Authorities should work with schools to support pupils with medical conditions to attend full
time.
Health Services can provide valuable support, information, advice and guidance to schools and their
staff to support children with medical conditions at school.
Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) should ensure that commissioning is responsive to children's
needs and that health services are able to co-operate with schools supporting children with medical
conditions.
Ofsted – Inspectors consider the needs of pupils with chronic or long term medical conditions and also
those of disabled children and pupils with SEN. The school will demonstrate that the policy dealing
with medical needs is implemented effectively.
5. Procedures to be followed when Notification is received that a pupil has a medical condition
The school will follow the correct procedures when it is notified that a pupil has a medical condition. The
procedures will also be in place to cover any transitional arrangements between schools, the process to be
followed upon reintegration or when pupil's needs change and arrangements for any staff training or
support.
For pupils starting at the school, arrangements will be in place in time for the start of the relevant school
term. In other cases, such as a new diagnosis or children moving to a new school mid-term, every effort will
be made to ensure that arrangements are put in place within two weeks.
In cases where a pupil's medical condition is unclear, or where there is a difference of opinion, judgements
will be made about what support to provide based on available evidence which would normally involve
some form of medical evidence and consultation with parents.
The school will ensure that the focus is on the needs of each individual child and how their medical
condition impacts on their school life. The school will consider what reasonable adjustments it might make
to enable pupils with medical needs to participate in school trips and visits or in sporting activities.
6. Individual Healthcare Plans
Not all children will require an Individual Healthcare Plan. The school, healthcare professional and parent will agree when a healthcare plan would be appropriate, based on evidence. If consensus cannot be reached, the headteacher will take the final decision. Individual Healthcare Plans will often be essential in cases where conditions fluctuate or where there is a high risk that emergency intervention will be needed. They are likely to be helpful in the majority of other cases, especially where medical conditions are long-term and complex. Individual Healthcare Plans will be accessible to all who need to refer to them, while preserving confidentiality. The plans capture the key information and actions that are required to support the child effectively. Where a child has a special educational need identified in a statement or EHC plan, the Individual Healthcare Plan should be linked to or become part of that statement or EHC plan. Individual Healthcare Plans (and their review) may be initiated, in consultation with the parent, by a member of school staff or a healthcare professional involved in providing care to the child. Plans will be drawn up in partnership between the school, parents and a relevant healthcare professional who can best advise on the needs of the child. Pupils will also be involved, whenever appropriate. Partners will agree who will take the lead in writing the plan however it is the responsibility of the school to ensure it is finalised and implemented. The school will review plans at least annually or earlier if evidence is presented that the child's needs have
changed.
7. Staff Training and Support
Any member of school staff providing support to a pupil with medical needs will receive suitable training.
Staff must not give prescription medicines or undertake healthcare procedures without appropriate
training.
The school will make arrangements for whole school awareness training so that all staff, including new
staff, are aware of the school's policy for supporting pupils with medical conditions and their role in
implementing that policy. This training will include preventative and emergency measures so that staff can
recognise and act quickly when a problem occurs. Parents can also contribute by providing specific advice.
8. The Child's Role in Managing their own Medical Needs
Some children are competent to manage their own health needs and medicines. The school, after
discussion with parents, will encourage such children to take responsibility for managing their own
medicines and procedures. This will also be reflected within Individual Healthcare Plans.
Wherever possible and if appropriate, children will be allowed to carry their own medicines and relevant
devices. Children should be able to access their medicines for self-medication quickly and easily. Those
children who take their medicines themselves or manage their own procedures may require an appropriate
level of supervision.
If a child refuses to take medicine or carry out a necessary procedure then they should not be forced by
staff. The procedure agreed in the Individual Healthcare Plan should be followed and parents informed so
that alternative options can be considered.
9. Managing Medicines on the School Premises
 Medicines will only be administered at school when it would be detrimental to a child's health or school attendance not to do so.  No child under 16 will be given prescription or non-prescription medicines without their parents'  A child under 16 should never be given medicines containing aspirin unless prescribed by a doctor  The school will only accept prescribed medicines that are in-date, labelled, provided in the original container as dispensed by a pharmacist and include instructions for administration, dosage and storage. (The exception to this is insulin which must still be in date, but will generally be available to schools inside an insulin pump, rather than in its original container)  All medicines will be stored safely in the medical room. Children should know where their medicines are at all times and be able to access them immediately. Where relevant, they should know who holds the key to the storage facility.  Medicines and devices such as asthma inhalers and adrenaline pens should always be readily available to children and not locked away. Blood glucose testing meters These will be stored in the main office where both class teacher and child know how to access them.  During school trips, the member of staff in charge of first aid will carry all medical devices and medicines required  The school will keep controlled drugs that have been prescribed for a pupil securely stored in a non- portable container and only named staff will have access. Controlled drugs should be easily accessible in an emergency.  Staff administering a controlled drug must do so in accordance with the prescriber's instructions. The school will keep a record of all medicines administered to individual children, stating what, how and how much was administered, when and by whom. Any side effects should also be noted.  Sharp boxes should always be used for the disposal of needles and other sharps. When no longer required, medicines should be returned to the parent to arrange for safe disposal. 10. Emergency procedures
As part of general risk management processes, the school has arrangements in place for dealing with
emergencies. Pupils should know what to do in general terms, such as informing a teacher immediately if
they think help is needed. A pupil taken to hospital by ambulance will be accompanied by a member of
staff who will stay with the child until the parent arrives.
11. Unacceptable practice
Each child's case will be judged on its own merit and with reference to the child's Individual Healthcare Plan, however it is not generally acceptable practice to:  prevent children from easily accessing their inhalers and medication and administering their medication when and where necessary  assume that every child with the same condition requires the same treatment  ignore medical evidence or opinion (although this may be challenged) or ignore the views of the child or their parents  send children with medical conditions home frequently or prevent them from staying for normal school activities, including lunch, unless this is specified in the Individual Healthcare Plan  if the child becomes ill send the child to the school office or medical room unaccompanied or with someone unsuitable  penalise children for their attendance record if their absences are related to their medical condition eg hospital appointments  prevent pupils from drinking, eating or taking toilet or other breaks whenever they need to in order to manage their medical condition effectively  require parents or make 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)  prevent children from participating, or create unnecessary barriers to children participating in any aspect of school life, including school trip, eg by requiring parents to accompany the child
12. Complaints
Should parents or pupils be dissatisfied with the support provided they should discuss their concerns directly with the school. If the issue is not resolved, a formal complaint via the school's complaint procedure should be made.

EXAMPLE REQUEST FOR SCHOOL TO ADMINISTER MEDICATION FORM
THE ST. CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL Academy Trust - Special School Mountdale Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 4AW Head Teacher: Mrs. J. Mullan Telephone: (01702) 524193 Fax: (01702) 526761 A Residential Respite Care / E.Mail: [email protected] Sports Hal Facility REQUEST FOR SCHOOL TO ADMINISTER MEDICATION
Type/ Form
Time to be given
Is medication
Strength
required long/ short
time
(Details of rectal valium or similar medication should be included in above) Additional instructions/ information (e.g. before/ after food, interaction with other medicines, possible side effects, storage instructions): I understand that I must provide the medicine in a suitable container clearly labelled with:  Child's full name.  Full name and strength of medicine.  Prescribed dosage & time of administration.  Method of administration.  Date of Issue.  Expiry Date. Please Note: Any unused medication will be returned to you for your own disposal. I accept that the school has a right to refuse to administer medication.
Name _ Relationship to child _
Signed _ Date
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU INFORM US OF ANY NEW OR CHANGED PRESCRIPTION. YOU MUST PROVIDE US WITH
THE CORRECT INFORMATION TO ENABLE THE ST CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL TO ADMINISTER DRUGS IN SCHOOL – THIS
INCLUDES CALPOL/ CHILD NUROFEN/ PARACETAMOL (SIGN THE ABOVE FORM).
EXAMPLE EMERGENCY MEDICATION RECORD
EXAMPLE EMERGENCY MEDICATION LIST
EMERGENCY MEDICATION
NAME OF CHILD –
Salbutomol Blue inhaler (Expires 2/2015)

NAME OF CHILD –
Can have Piriton & has a Care Plan (Expires 4/2015)

NAME OF CHILD –
Buccal Midazolam (Expires 12/2015) Salbutomol Blue inhaler (Expires 11/2016)

NAME OF CHILD –
Terbutaline White/Blue inhaler x 1 puff (Expires 2/2016)

NAME OF CHILD –
Epipen x 2 (Expires 3/2015) & Piriton (Expires 4/2015) Salbutomol Blue
inhaler & spacer (Expires 10/2015)
EXAMPLE LONG TERM MEDICATION FORM
Primary / Secondary and group: Time to be given : Medication left at Monday Medication left at 1st September 2014 8th September

Source: http://www.thestchristopherschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/medical_conditions.pdf