Child Sickness and Administration of Medicine Policy
Child Sickness and
Administration of Medicines Policy
2013
Date to Staff:
Date to Parents / Guardians:
Ratification date:
Next Review Date:
Our vision is that all children leave primary school at the age of 11 as the independent, resilient,
curious, problem solving leaders of tomorrow, with a confident and optimistic outlook on life.
Our mission is to deliver an outstanding primary education for children in Harpenden and the
surrounding area.
Our values are Curious, Unique, Brave, Boundless and Playful. They are the heartbeat of
Harpenden Free School and referenced in recruitment, role expectations, progress monitoring,
reflection time and progressive development.
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Child Sickness and Administration of Medicine Policy
Child Sickness and Administration of Medication Policy
Status
Non Statutory
Purpose
The purpose of this document is make explicit the care that Harpenden Free School is able to offer in
relation to the administration of medicines to its pupils.
Consultation
In producing this policy we consulted with teachers, pupils and parents and referred to guidance
from the DfE and H&S Executive. This policy will be reviewed annually.
Relationship to other policies
The policy should be read in conjunction with the health and safety policy.
Introduction
HFS puts the well-being of the children in its care at the very core of its services. HFS is keen to help
children to attend, where appropriate, even if they are taking medication and to enable this to
happen staff are trained to administer medication on site.
1. Procedure
In order for medication to be administered the following procedure must be adhered to by parents
and staff for the health and well-being of all children in the setting.Parents
 HFS requires written and signed consent in advance (appendix 2) from parents which clearly
shows the date, dosage and expiry date of any medication to be given.
 Any medication left with staff for administration must be in its original container and bear its
original label. The label must be legible and have the name of the child on it. If the medicine
has not been prescribed for the child staff will not, under any circumstances, administer it.
 A healthcare plan (appendix 1) should be completed for emergency treatment of chronic
illnesses, such as asthma where inhalers may need to be given on a long-term basis.
2. Staff
When administering medication staff should:
o wash their hands
o refer to the permission to administer medication form and to the administration
record and carefully check that all details are correct
o be certain of the identity of the child to whom the medication is being given.
o check that the prescription on the label of the medication is clear and unambiguous
o check the name of the medication matches the administration form
o check the name of the child on the label matches the administration form
o check the dose, method of administration and the expiry date
o administer the medication as instructed on the label and as specified in the
permission to administer medication form
o keep clear and accurate, signed records of all medication administered, withheld or
refused using the completed appendix 2
o monitor any children taking medication and report any side effects immediately to
the person in charge
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Child Sickness and Administration of Medicine Policy
o
inform parents/guardians that the medication has been given when they pick up
their children.
All medication is kept securely in the lockable cupboard provided. Unused or surplus medication
should be returned to the parent/guardian. If a child refuses to take their medication staff will
never attempt to force or coerce compliance. They should note the refusal in their records and
follow any agreed procedures set out in the individual child’s health care plan (appendix 1).
Parents will be informed of the refusal on the same day.
If a refusal to take medicines results in an emergency, emergency procedures will be followed.
In any emergency situation the first aider will be called, an ambulance called for and parents
informed immediately unless the health care plan sets out other actions.
Medical information, including details about medicines, should be treated as confidential by all
staff in HFS. The Headteacher of HFS should agree with the parents who else should have access
to records and other information about a child.
3. Non Prescription Medicines

HFS will administer certain non-prescription medication for a maximum of three days,
providing the necessary permission form (appendix 2) has been completed and signed by the
parent/guardian. At any time during the three days, if the staff deem that the child's health
has deteriorated or they have concerns for his/her health, the parent/guardian will be
contacted and asked to arrange for collection of the child, and refer them to their GP.
4. Staff Training and Consent




Staff will be asked to attend training in the administration and monitoring of medication and
to meet specific needs concerning administration, or other health-related matters.
Staff administering medicine must have signed a consent form to say they are willing to
administer medicine. This is a voluntary decision, there is no pressure to perform this role.
The management should monitor staff to ensure the procedures are being carried out, and
that they are clear to all. Staff will be asked to feedback at meetings any areas of concern or
to identify training needs that they may have.
The management of the school is responsible for ensuring that there are enough staff with
appropriate training in the administration of medication to cover the school day. The rota
will be planned with first aid and medicines administration in mind.
5. Child Sickness
In order to control the spread of infection within the school we do not accept children who are
showing symptoms of sickness. Particular illnesses have specified exclusion periods.
A child who has been unwell is required not to return until they have had no symptoms for at least
48hours.
If a child seems to be taken unwell during sessions they will be taken aside by a member of staff.
Parents or other named contacts will be contacted and asked to collect their child. Special attention
will be given to all hygiene issues with respect to the other children in attendance.
If a child has contracted an infectious disease they are obliged to inform HFS immediately. In some
cases we have a duty to inform external authorities and/or parents of other children.
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Child Sickness and Administration of Medicine Policy
6. Allergies and Health Matters
Staff will be informed of all relevant health issues regarding the children in their care and necessary
precautions and trigger situations, these details are also requested on registration forms. Strict
confidentiality will be maintained. Where appropriate staff may meet with parents or health
professionals prior to a child beginning at HFS.
7. A well child
HFS consider a well child to be one that
Has plenty of energy
Has good and even colour in their skin tone
Is happy
Has a temperature within a normal range
Has sparkly eyes
Has clear breathing passages and quiet breathing patterns
8. Exclusion Periods
Athlete’s foot – excluded for as long as symptoms show, or allowed in with veruccae socks.
Bronchiolitis – excluded for duration of symptoms
Chickenpox – excluded until all spots have crusted over
Cold sores – no exclusion needed but extra care should be taken
Conjunctivitus – exclusion whilst the eye is secreting discharge or is sticky
Croup – exclusion whilst symptoms persist
Diarrhhoea and / vomiting – exclude until 48hrs after symptoms have finished
German Measles / Rubella – exclude for 5 days after the rash appears. It must be notified to health
authority.
Head lice – exclude until treated by parents
Hepatitis a - until jaundice has gone or for at least 5 days, whichever is longer
Impetigo – exclude until sores are crusted over
Measles – exclude for 5 days after onset of rash, it is notifiable
Meningitisis – exclude until well
Mumps – exclude for 5 days after onset, it is notifiable
Ringworm – no exclusion necessary but must be covered
Scabies – exclude till treated
Scarlet fever – exclude for 5 days after the start of treatment, it is notifiable
Slapped Cheek – contagious period is prior to symptoms so exclusion ineffective
Tonsillitis – exclude whilst ill
TB – take professional advice for the individual
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Child Sickness and Administration of Medicine Policy
Typhoid fever – until 3 negative stool samples have been given with at least a week between each
and beginning at least 3 weeks after the completion of treatment.
Vomiting – exclude till at least 48hrs after symptoms stop
Whooping cough – exclude for 3 weeks after onset of cough
Approval by Governing Body and Review Date
This policy has been formally approved and adopted by the Governing Body at a formally
convened meeting:
Policy approved:
Date:
______________________________________
(Chair of Governing Body)
______________________________________
Date of policy review:
______________________________________
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Child Sickness and Administration of Medicine Policy
Appendix 1
Individual Health Care / Emergency Plan
CONTACT DETAILS
Child’s Name
School
Home Address
Date of Birth
Next of Kin
Home phone
Mobile phone
GP Name
GP Address
Hospital Contact
Phone
Name
Phone
MEDICAL DETAILS
Medical Condition
Signs and Symptoms
Daily Treatment / Medication
Needed in School
Location of Medication at School
Eg inhaler in asthma box
Describe an emergency for this
pupil (signs and symptoms)
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Child Sickness and Administration of Medicine Policy
Risks / hazards / triggers
Action to take in event of this
emergency
eg 1.administer epipen
2. call ambulance
3. call parents
Who is responsible in an
emergency at school
Who is responsible in an
emergency off site
Plan copied to:
Parents / Carer
Headteacher/class teacher
GP
Other (
)
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Yes/No
Parent and School Agreement
To the best of our knowledge the above information is correct.
The staff, in agreement, will do their best to support and care for …………………………………’s medical
and emergency needs.
Parents signature:
______________________________
Date: ________________________
First aider signature:
_______________________________ Date: ________________________
Head teacher’s signature: ______________________________ Date: ________________________
Nurse’s signature: ____________________________________ Date: ________________________
(where advice and training has been provided to school)
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Child Sickness and Administration of Medicine Policy
Administration of Medicines
Appendix 2
Parental agreement for the administration of medicines
The school will not give your child medicine unless you complete and sign this form. Medicines must
be in the original container as dispensed by the pharmacist. Students must not self-administer.
Contact Details
Child’s Name
Date
School
Home Address
Date of Birth
Next of Kin
Home phone
GP Name
Age
Class
Mobile phone
GP Phone
Medical Details
Medical Condition / Illness
Name and strength of medicine
Where medicine is kept
Expiry date
Side effects
Days and date / s to administer
Size of each dose
Eg 5 ml
Time to administer
dose
Eg 12.30 and 3pm
Quanity given to school
Eg 1 100ml bottle (half empty)
or 10 tablets
This information is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate at time of writing and I give
consent to the school / setting staff, to administer the medicine in accordance with the
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Child Sickness and Administration of Medicine Policy
school/setting policy. I will inform the school/ setting immediately in writing if there is any
change in dosage or frequency of the medication or if the medicine is stopped.
Parent/Guardian signature
________________________________________________________
Print name
________________________________________________________
Date
________________________________________________________
Agreed review date
_______________________________________________________
Record of Administration of Medicine
Date
Medicine name
Time given
Dose given
Name of Staff Member
Staff Initials
/
/
/
/
/
/
Date
Medicine Name
Time given
Dose given
Name of Staff Member
Staff Initials
/
/
/
/
/
/
Date
Medicine Name
Time given
Dose given
Name of Staff Member
Staff Initials
/
/
/
/
/
/
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