We acknowledge that under the standard terms and conditions for the employment of staff there is no legal duty for them to administer or to supervise a child taking medication. Supporting pupils at SEN Space with medical conditions clearly states that 'Any member of 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 staff’s professional duties, they should consider the needs of children with medical conditions that they teach.'

Administration of medicines by any member of staff is undertaken purely on a voluntary basis and individual decisions will be respected. However, volunteer personnel will be expected to undertake sufficient and suitable training and to achieve the necessary level of competency before they are able to administer medicines.

 

We ensure staff:

• Are trained in first aid.

• will attend first aid refresher training every two years.

• Are trained in how to administer medication in the case of a severe allergic reaction.

• Are familiar with the Individual Health Care Plans of children in their care.

• Know what to do in an emergency.

• Are aware that allergy management strategies are incorporated into risk assessments for all events.

 

We work hard to have in place and to maintain a system that ensures all medical care plans are kept up to always date and are available to SEN Space staff who may need them in an emergency. It is vital that all medical care plans clearly indicate whether a child needs emergency medication such as asthma inhalers or EpiPens.

 

Only management can administer medication. Those members of staff who have volunteered to administer or supervise the taking of medication attend regular refresher training and are up to date with the medical care plans for those children with specific medical needs or emergency medication.

 

Medicines will only be administered that have been prescribed by a doctor or some other authorised person and where it would be detrimental to a child’s health if the medicine were not administered during the sessions. Non-prescription medicines will not be administered by staff.

                                                                                                                                              

Policy Aims:

We believe it is essential that this policy clearly identifies and outlines the roles and responsibilities of all those involved in the procedures and arrangements that relates to this policy.

• To outline the procedures for administering prescribed medicines to children.

• To have in place health and safety control measures.

• To ensure compliance with all relevant legislation connected to this policy.

• To work with other organisations and the local authority to share good practice to improve this policy.

 

 

Role of the Manager

The Manager will:

• Work in conjunction with the CEO to ensure all SEN Space staff, children and parents are aware of and comply with this policy.

• Ensure risk assessments are:

 

• In place and cover all aspects of this policy.

• Accurate and suitable.

• Reviewed annually.

• Easily available for all school personnel.

 

• have in place the following health and safety control measures:

 

• Policy published on the SEN Space website and staff handbook.

• Staff are aware of the policy via induction training and staff handbook.

• Parents reminded that they must inform the organisation if medications are sent to SEN Space with their child.

• Parents must sign a form stating the medication, dosage, and times of administration.

• Named person(s) in place to oversee the administration of medications to children.

• Medications securely stored in the designated medical room.

• Records kept of medications sent to SEN Space and when medications were administered and by whom.

• Named person(s) trained in and follow correct procedures.

 

• Work closely with the CEO

• Provide leadership and vision in respect of equality.

• Provide guidance, support, and training to all staff.

 

The CEO / Owner will ensure managers who have volunteered to administer or supervise the taking of medication will:

• Undertake appropriate training.

• Be up to date with the Individual Health Care Plans for those children with specific medical needs or emergency medication such as asthma inhalers or EpiPens.

• Be aware of Individual Health Care Plans and of symptoms which may require emergency action.

• Read and check the Medical Consent Forms before administering or supervising the taking of medicines.

• Check that the medication belongs to the named child.

• Check that the medication is within the expiry date.

• Inform the parent if the medication has reached its expiry date.

• Confirm the dosage/frequency on each occasion and consult the medicine record form to prevent double dosage.

• Record on the medication record all relevant details of when medication was given.

• Return medications to the secure cabinet for storage.

• Always take appropriate hygiene precautions

• Record when a child refuses to take medication.

• Immediately inform the parent/carer of this refusal.

 

The manager will:

• Ensure the following information is supplied by the parent/carer:

 

• Name and date of birth of the child.

• Name and contact details of the parent/carer.

• Name and contact details of GP.

• Name of medicines.

• Details of prescribed dosage.

• Date and time of last dosage given.

• Consent given by parent/carer for staff to administer medication.

• Expiry date of medication.

• Storage details.

 

Parent / Carers:

Parents/carers must provide:

• written permission by completing the Medication Consent Form

• sufficient medical information on their child’s medical condition

• the medication in its original container

• sufficient medicine for the dosage to be given in the session.

 

 

THIS POLICY WAS REVIEWED BY VIKKI BENTON – 03/09/2022