Administration of Prescribed Medication Policy
While it is not our policy to care for sick children, who should be at home until they are well enough
to return to school, we may agree to administer prescribed medication as part of maintaining their
health and well-being or when they are recovering from an illness.
Whenever possible parents should ask their GP to prescribe medication in dose frequencies
which enable it to be taken outside school hours. However, if parents wish the school to
administer the medication (in loco parentis) they should give the designated person, currently Mrs
Millgate a written request (using the appropriate form obtainable from the office) detailing the
medication to be given along with the frequency, dosage and any other relevant information (e.g.
interaction with other medicines such as paracetamol). Oral information from the parent will not
be acted upon.
If required, the parents will be able to visit the school during the school day to administer the
medication in person.
Non-prescription medicines will not be given to a child and should not therefore be brought
into school.
Procedure
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Children taking prescribed medicines must be well enough to attend school.
A designated member of staff, currently Mrs Millgate, will be made responsible for
administering medication.
Medication must be in-date and prescribed for the current condition.
No medication may be given without prior written permission from the parents/carers.
Children’s prescribed medicine must be provided in the original container (as dispensed by the
pharmacist) with the child’s name and up-to-date dosages/treatment regime clearly printed on the
outside by the pharmacist. Details of possible side effects should also be given.
The medication should be brought into school and handed to the designated member of staff,
currently Mrs Millgate, by a responsible person, usually the parent/carer and taken home by a
responsible person at the end of the week or at the end of the school day. Medication may be left
in school overnight but only if it is kept in a locked place in a secure room.
Medications will be stored in their original containers, clearly labelled and kept in a lockable,
wall-mounted cupboard or refrigerated. Where the refrigerator is not used solely for storing
medicines, they are kept in a marked plastic box.
The designated member of staff should administer the medication, witnessed by a second
member of staff and then both should sign the Prescribed Medication Administration Record
which provides deteails of medication given, dosage and at what time.
If a child refuses to take the medication, staff will not force them to do so. The refusal will be
recorded and the parents informed.
Expiry dates will be checked regularly and parents will be notified when inhalers or other
treatments are nearing their expiry date.
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If the administration of prescribed medication requires medical knowledge, training will be
provided for the relevant members of staff by a health professional. Refresher training will be
arranged periodically. Sufficient staff to be trained to ensure cover for absences.
Medicines no longer required will be handed back to the parent/carer. If parents do not collect
medicines after a reasonable period of time, they will be given to a pharmacist for disposal.
Managing Medicines on trips and outings
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If children are going on outings, staff accompanying the children must be fully informed of the
child’s needs and/or medication.
Medication for a child is taken in a sealed plastic box clearly labelled with the child’s name and
name of the medication. Also included inside the box is a copy of the signed consent form and
the Prescribed Medication Administration record. The designated member of staff should
administer the medication, witnessed by another member of staff and then both sign to say
medicine has been given, at what time and what dose.
On returning to school, any medication will be returned to safe storage and a copy of the
Prescribed Medication Administration Record will be sent home to parents with the original
placed inside the child’s records.
Children who have long term medical conditions and who may require ongoing medication
Where children have long term medical conditions and may require ongoing medication, individual
care plans will be drawn up. This will include a full risk assessment which may include other
medical or social care personnel. Parents will also be asked to contribute to a risk assessment. They
should be shown around the school, understand the routines and activities and point out anything
which they consider may be a risk factor for their child. For some medical conditions, key staff
will need to have training in a basic understanding of the condition as well as how the medication is
to be administered correctly. The training needs for staff are part of the risk assessment.
The individual care plan for the child is drawn up with the parent; outlining the designated person’s
role and what information must be shared with other staff who care for the child.
The individual care plan must include details of what measures are to be taken in an emergency.
The individual care plan should be reviewed every six months or more if necessary. This includes
reviewing the medication, e.g. changes to the medication or the dosage, any side effects, etc.
Parents will be given a copy of their child’s individual care plan, and a signed copy will be kept in
the child’s records.
CONFIDENTIALITY The Headteacher and staff should always treat medical information confidentially. The Headteacher
should decide which member of staff has specific responsibility for this role. This person can be a
first contact for parents and staff, and liaise with external agencies.
Date Reviewed: 04.08.14
Review: annually, 04.08.15