Waterfield Primary School

WaterfieldPrimary School May 2016

WaterfieldPrimary School

Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions

POLICYFORSUPPORTINGPUPILSAT SCHOOL WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS

2016 (INCORPORATING MEDICINESPOLICY)

WaterfieldPrimary School

Introduction

Section100oftheChildrenandFamiliesAct2014places a dutyontheGoverning Boardtomake

arrangementsfor supportingpupils atWaterfield withmedical conditions.

Pupils withspecialmedicalneedshavethe samerightof admission to school asother childrenand cannotberefusedadmission, or excluded fromschool on medicalgrounds alone.

Teachersandschool staffinchargeofpupilshaveacommonlawdutyto actin the place ofthe parent (inlocoparentis) andmayneedtotakeswift actioninanemergency.This dutyalso extendsto teachers/adultsleadingactivitiestakingplace offtheschool site.This could extendto a need toadminister medicine.The primeresponsibilityforachild’s healthlies with theparent,who is responsiblefor thechild’s medication,andshouldsupplytheschool withall thenecessary information.

Thispolicywill bereviewedregularlyandwillbereadilyaccessibleto Parents/CarersandStaff on our school website.

Background

Allschoolsmusthavea policy to makearrangementstosupport childrenwithmedicalconditions andto beabletodemonstratethatthis is implementedeffectively.

Pupils’ medicalneedsmaybebroadlysummarised asbeing oftwo types:

Short term-affecting theirparticipationinschool activities because theyare onacourse of medication.

Long-term-potentiallylimitingtheiraccesstoeducationandrequiringextracare and support (deemedspecial medical needs).

Somechildrenwithmedical conditionsmaybeconsideredtobedisabledunder thedefinitionset outintheEqualityAct2010.Where this isthecase,Waterfield will complywith theirdutiesunder thatAct.

Somechildrenmayalso havespecial educationalneeds (SEN) andmayhaveastatement,or EducationandHealthcare Plan(EHCP),which brings together health andsocial careneeds, as wellas theirspecial educational provision. For childrenwith SEND(Special Educational Needs and/or Disability),thisguidanceshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththeSpecialeducationalneedsanddisability (SEND)code of practice2014.

WaterfieldPrimary School May 2016

Ifachildis deemedtohavealong-termmedical condition,theschool aimstoensurethat arrangementsare inplacetosupportthem,andthatsuchchildrencan access andenjoythesame opportunitiesatschool as anyother child.

Theschool,health professionals,parents/carers andother supportserviceswillwork together to ensurethatchildrenwith medical conditions receivea fulleducation,unlessthis wouldnotbein theirbestinterests because oftheir healthneeds.Insomecasesthis will requireflexibility and involve,for example,programmesofstudythatrelyonpart timeattendanceatschool, in combinationwith alternative provision arranged bytheLocal Authorityand healthprofessionals. Considerationwill also begiven tohowchildrenwill bereintegrated back intoschool after long periodsofabsence.

Staffmustnotgive prescriptionmedicines orundertake healthcareprocedureswithout appropriate training. AtWaterfield,werecognise thatafirst aidcertificate doesnotconstitute appropriate traininginsupportingchildrenwithmedical conditions.Healthcareprofessionals, includingtheSchool Nurse,will be asked to provideanynecessary trainingandsubsequent confirmation oftheproficiencyofstafftocarry out amedicalprocedure, or inprovidingmedication.

Rolesand Responsibilities (asdetailedinthestatutoryguidance)

TheGoverning Body

-Must makearrangementsto support pupilswith medicalconditionsin school, including making surethat apolicyfor supporting pupilswithmedical conditionsin school isdeveloped and implemented. Theyshouldensurethatpupils withmedical conditions aresupportedtoenablethefullestparticipationpossiblein allaspects ofschool life.

-Should ensurethat sufficientstaffhasreceived suitabletraining and arecompetent beforetheytakeon responsibilityto support childrenwith medicalconditions.They should alsoensurethat anymembers ofschool staffwho providesupport topupils with medical conditionsareableto access informationandother teachingsupportmaterials, as needed.

TheHeadteacher

- Shouldensure thattheirschool’s policyis developedandeffectivelyimplemented.

-Shouldensure thatallstaffmembers areaware ofthepolicyfor supportingpupils with medical conditionsandunderstandtheirroleinitsimplementation.

- Shouldensure thatallstaffmemberswho needtoknoware aware ofthechild’s condition.

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-Shouldensure thatsufficienttrainednumbers ofstaff are availabletoimplementthepolicy anddeliver all individual healthcareplans,includingincontingencyandemergency situations.Thismayinvolverecruitingamember ofstafffor this purpose.

- Hastheoverall responsibilityfor thedevelopmentofindividual healthcare plans.

-Shouldmakesure thatschool staff areappropriatelyinsuredandare aware thattheyare insuredtosupport pupils inthis way.

-Shouldcontacttheschool nursingserviceinthecaseofanychildwhohas amedical condition thatmayrequiresupport atschool,butwhohas notyetbeen broughtto the attention oftheschoolnurse.

School staff

-Anymemberofstaffmaybe askedto providesupport topupils withmedical conditions, includingtheadministeringof medicines,although theycannotberequired todoso.

- Althoughadministeringmedicines isnotpartofteachers’professional duties,theyshould

takeinto accountthe needsof pupils withmedical conditionsthattheyteach.

-School staffshouldreceivesufficientandsuitabletrainingandachieve thenecessarylevel ofcompetencybeforetheytakeonresponsibilitytosupport children withmedical conditions.

-Anymemberoftheschool staffshouldknowwhattodoandrespond accordingly when they becomeaware thata pupilwithamedical condition needs help.

TheSchool Nurse

-Isresponsible for notifyingtheschool whenachildhas beenidentified ashavingamedical conditionwhichwillrequiresupport inschool.

- Maysupport staff onimplementingachild’s individual healthcareplanandprovide advice

andliaison,for example ontraining.

-Canliaisewithleadclinicians locallyonappropriatesupportfor thechild and associated stafftrainingneeds.

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Otherhealthcareprofessionals,includingGPs andpediatricians

-Shouldnotifytheschool nursewhenachildhas beenidentifiedas havingamedical condition thatwill require support atschool.

- Mayprovide advice on developinghealthcareplans.

-Maybe ableto providesupport inschoolsforchildrenwith particularconditions e.g. asthma,diabetes,epilepsy.

Pupils with medical conditions(whereappropriate for theirage)

- Are oftenbestplacedto provideinformation abouthowtheirconditionaffectsthem.

-Shouldbefullyinvolvedin discussionsabouttheirmedical support needsandcontribute as muchaspossibletothe development of,andcomplywith,theirindividual healthcare plan.

- Other pupils will oftenbesensitive totheneeds ofthosewithmedical conditions.

Parents

- Should providetheschool withsufficientandup-to-dateinformationabouttheirchild’s

medical needs.

- Shouldbeinvolvedinthedevelopmentandreviewoftheirchild’s individual healthcare plan,

andmaybeinvolvedinits drafting.

-Shouldcarryoutanyactiontheyhave agreedto aspartofitsimplementation,e.g. provide medicines andequipmentandensure theyor anothernominatedadult are contactableatall times.

-Must ensure allmedicines (includingover thecounter products–OTC)are prescribedbya healthcareprofessional, i.e. GP. Medicines which have notbeenprescribed byahealthcare professionalfor achild,will onlybe administered atschool in exceptional circumstances andin thecaseof an emergency. Ifachildrequires anOTCmedicine onaregular basis, it mustbeprescribed bya GPandwill then bemanagedas part ofashort term medical requirement.

-Pleasenoteantihistamines (i.e.,Piriton or Piritize)will notbeadministeredatschool unless prescribedbya GP.

-Must ensure thatallprescribedmedicinesare suppliedtotheschool inthe original packaging,witha pharmacylabel containing thechild’sdetails,includingdosageetc. The medicinemust beindate andanycontentsalsolabeledwithapharmacylabel,for example,inhalers

WaterfieldPrimary School May 2016

LocalAuthorities

- Are the commissioners ofschoolnurses

-Under section10 oftheChildrenAct2004,theyhavea dutyto promoteco-operation betweenrelevant partners suchas governing bodiesof maintainedschools, clinical commissioning groupsandNHSEngland,withaviewtoimprovingthewellbeing ofchildren withregard to their physical andmental health, and theireducation.

-Should providesupport. adviceandguidance,includingsuitabletrainingfor school staff,to ensurethatthesupport specifiedwithinindividualhealthcareplanscanbedelivered effectively.

- Shouldwork withschools tosupport pupils with medical conditions to attendfulltime.

-Wherea pupilwouldnotreceivesuitableeducationina mainstream schoolbecause oftheir health needs,thelocalauthorityhas a dutytomake otherarrangements.

-Statutoryguidanceforlocal authorities,Ensuringagoodeducationfor childrenwhocannotattendschoolbecause ofhealthneeds,January2013,setsoutthattheyshouldbereadyto makearrangementsunder this duty whenitis clear thatachildwill be awayfromschoolfor

15days or morebecauseof healthneeds (whether consecutive or cumulativeacross the school year).

Proceduresat Waterfield

Waterfieldmaybenotifiedthatachildhasa medical conditionwhenhe/shefirstjoinstheschool, often atthestartofReception; oratalaterdate,followinga newdiagnosis.

Starting at Waterfield

As partoftheinductionprocess,parent(s)/carer(s) are interviewed byamemberoftheschool administrationteam,and arerequiredtocompleteaquestionnaire,thatincludes questionsontheir child’s healthandanylongtermor short term medical needs. Ifalongtermmedicalneedis identified,theparentwill be asked tocompleteanIndividualHealthCare Plan(IHP)for theirchild, inconjunctionwith anyrelevantmedicalprofessionals,andthentomeetwith theSpecial Educational NeedsCo-ordinator (SENCo),whohas responsibilityfor over-seeingthesupportfor pupils withmedical conditions. Copies ofreportsfrom medicalprofessionals shouldbebroughtto this meeting.

Pupilreceiving anew diagnosis

Theschoolmaybeinformed byapupil’s parent,or amedical professional, thata pupil has a newlydiagnosedillness or medical condition.Theparentwill be askedtocomplete anIndividual HealthCarePlanfor theirchild,inconjunctionwith anyrelevant medical professionals,andthento meetwith theSpecialEducational NeedsCo-ordinator (SENCo),whohas responsibilityfor over- seeingthesupportforpupils withmedical conditions. Copies ofreportsfrom medical

professionals should be broughttothismeeting.

Following Notification of aLong-termMedicalCondition

-Theschoolwill makeeveryefforttoensure that arrangementsareputinplace as soonas possible.

-If thechildwill require theadministration ofmedicationof anykind,aconsentformmustbe completed bytheparent/carerand givenin atthefrontdesk,together with the medicationin its original packaging,with the dosageregimeclearlyprintedontheoutside,together with thechild’s name.

-In makingthearrangements,theschool will takeinto accountthatmanyofthe medical conditions thatrequiresupport atschool will affectqualityoflifeandmaybelifethreatening.

-Theschoolwill also acknowledge thatsomemedical conditionswill bemoreobvious than others.

-Theschoolwill thereforeaimto ensure thatthefocus isontheneeds of eachindividual child andhowtheirmedical conditionimpactsontheirschool life.

-The school will endeavour to makesure thatarrangementsgive parents/carers andpupils confidencein theschool’s abilityto provideeffectivesupportformedical conditions in school.

- The arrangementswilldemonstrateanunderstanding ofhowmedical conditions impacton

achild’s abilitytolearn, as wellas increase theirconfidenceand promoteself-care.

-Theschoolwill ensurethatstaffmembers are properlytrainedtoprovide thesupportthat pupils need.

-The school will ensurethatarrangementsareclear andunambiguous abouttheneedto support pupilswithmedical conditionsto participateinschool tripsandvisits,or insporting activities, andnotpreventthem from doingso, unlessitwould notbein theirbestinterest owingto theirhealth needs.

-The school will makearrangementsfortheinclusionofpupils insuch activities,with any adjustments,asrequired; unlessevidencefrom acliniciansuchasaGeneral Practitioner (GP) statesthatthis is notpossible.

-Theschool aimstoensurethatnochildwithamedical conditionisdeniedadmission or preventedfrom attendingbecause arrangementsfor theirmedical conditionhave notbeen made.

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-However, inlinewith our Safeguarding duties,theschoolwill ensure thatapupil’shealthis notputatunnecessaryrisk from,for example,infectious diseases.

-Theschoolwill therefore notacceptachildinschoolattimes whereit would bedetrimental to thehealthofthatchild and others. (Pleaserefer tothe School’s AccessibilityPlan for additional informationonhowtheschool willsupport childrenwithmedical conditions.)

- The school doesnothave towait for aformal diagnosis beforeprovidingsupport to pupils.

-Incaseswherea pupil’s medical conditionisunclear,or wherethere isadifferenceof opinion,judgmentswillbeneededaboutwhatsupportto provide basedontheavailable evidence.Thiswould normally involvesomesort ofmedical evidenceandconsultationwith parents/carers.Whereevidenceconflicts,some degreeofchallengemay benecessary to ensurethattherightsupport canbeputin place.The Headteacher,School Nurseand SENCowill usually lead this.Followingthediscussions aHealthCare Planmay beputin place.

-Whereachildhas anIndividualHealthCarePlan,this shouldclearlydefinewhat constitutesanemergencyand explainwhatto do,includingensuringthat allrelevantstaff members are aware ofemergencysymptomsandprocedures.

-Other pupils shouldknow whatto doin general terms,such as informingateacher immediatelyiftheythink helpisneeded.

-Itmaybenecessarytomakespecial arrangementsforapupil onreintegration,following illness; or whenever apupil’s needs change,includingarrangementsfor anystaff training andsupport.

-Ifa pupilwithalong-termmedical condition transfers toanother school, arrangementswill bemade,inconsultationwith theparent,to ensure thatalltherelevantinformationis communicated tothenewschool.

IndividualHealthCarePlans(IHPs)

Pleaserefer toflowchart

AtWaterfield, theresponsibilityfor over-seeingthesupportfor pupils withmedical conditions has been delegatedtotheSENCo,workingalongside theHeadteacher.This dutyis carried outin conjunctionwiththeparent(s)/carer(s), the School Nurse,andanyotherHealthcareProfessionals involvedin providingcare tothechild.Whenever appropriate,thechildshould alsobeinvolved.

Itistheresponsibilityofall members ofstaffsupportingtheindividual childrentoensurethatthe

Individual HealthCarePlanisfollowed.

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TheClassTeacher willremainresponsibleforthechild’s educational developmentandensuring thattheirmedical conditions are supported atschool,andtheadvice ontheIndividual HealthCare Planis adheredto.This willinvolvekeepingallstaff members, includingsupport or cover staff, informedabouttheneeds ofapupilwithmedical needs.

IndividualHealth CarePlans

 helptoensurethattheschooleffectivelysupports pupils withmedical conditions.

 willcapture thekeyinformationandactions thatare requiredtosupport thechild effectively.

 willvaryin detailfrom pupil to pupildependingon thecomplexityofthechild’s condition and

thedegreeofsupportneeded.

 provideclarityaboutwhatneeds to bedone,when andby whom.

are often essential, such as incases where conditionsfluctuate or where there isa highrisk thatemergencyinterventionmaybeneeded.

are helpful inthemajorityofothercases,especially where interventionmaybeneededor where medical conditions are longtermandcomplex.

 shouldmentionifapupilhas,in addition,special educational needs.

 willbe easilyaccessible toallwho needtorefer tothem,while preservingconfidentiality.A

copywillbekeptin thefront office.

 shouldbetakenon allschooloutings and off-site activities.

 are reviewed annually,or whenachild’s needs change.

However, not allchildrenwill requireone.The School, HealthcareProfessionals and Parent/Carers shouldagree,basedonevidence,whenanIndividualHealthCare Plan would be inappropriate or disproportionate.Ifconsensus cannotbereached,theHealthcareProfessionalis bestplacedtotakea final view.

Following Notification of a Short-termMedicalCondition

Occasionally,children haveashort-termmedical conditionsuch asearache or asorethroat,and are wellenoughtoattendschool,butmaystillbetakingacourse of medication.

Wherepossible,medicationshouldbeadministeredathome.

Theadministration of medicineis theresponsibilityofparentsandcarers.Thereis no absolute requirementonteachers or support stafftoadminister medicines.However, theymay volunteer to doso.

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Ifmedicationis required duringtheschoolday,thenaparentor carer will berequired tocomplete aconsentformatthesametime ashandingin themedicine totheFrontOffice.

Wehave beenadvisedthatnon-prescribedmedicines suchas Calpol canonlybegiven toachild for amaximumof3days.

Prescribedmedicationshouldonlybeacceptedifitis indate,intheoriginal dispensedcontainer withclear instructionsfor doseandstorage. Itshouldbeclearlylabeledwith thechild’snameand class.

Itis theparentor carer’s responsibilitytocollect andsupplyeachday, as necessary.

Managing medicinesin school

TheSchoolhasapolicyfor themanagingofmedicines based onthefollowingpoints:

 Medicines shouldonlybeadministeredattheschool whenitwould be detrimental toa

child’s health or schoolattendancenottodoso.

 Nochildunder16shouldbegiven prescription ornon-prescriptionmedicines withouttheir

Parents/Carers writtenconsent.

Parentsmustsignaconsentform(shortor longterm) andmedicines mustbelabeledand givenin atthefrontoffice.

 Inhalers arestoredintheslidingcupboard inthefront office,andmust notbelocked away.

Theyare alwaysavailabletopupils, andshould betakenoutfor PE/Games outside,and on alloutings.

 Epipens are storedontheopenshelves,inthefrontoffice.Eachpupil’s epipens arestored

ina plastic tubandhave theirnameandphotographon thefront.

Medicines such asanti-histamines arestoredinalocker inthefront office,onlyaccessible byadults.

 Shouldashort-term medicines,suchas ananti-biotic, requirerefrigeration,itwill be placed

intheoffice fridge.

 Inhalers canbeself-administered bypupils,under thesupervisionof anadult.

Thesupervisingadultwillsign theappropriatesheetwhenamedicinehas been administered.

What to do in anemergency:

Request anambulance- dial999,askforan ambulanceand bereadywith the information below.

Speakclearlyand slowlyand bereadyto repeat information ifasked.

1. your telephonenumber

2. your name

3. your locationasfollows [ Waterfield, WaterfieldGardens, Bewbush, Crawley]

4. statewhatthepostcodeis– RH11 8RA

5. provide theexactlocationofthepatientwithintheschool setting

6. provide thename ofthechildanda briefdescriptionoftheirsymptoms

7.informAmbulanceControl ofthebestentrance touseandstatethatthecrew will bemet and takentothepatient

8. putacompletedcopyofthisformbythephone

Unacceptable Practice

AlthoughSchool Staffshouldusetheirdiscretionandjudgeeachcase onitsmeritswithreference to thechild’sIHP,it isnotgenerallyacceptable practiceto:

 Assumethateverychildwith thesameconditionrequires thesametreatment.

 Ignore theviews ofthechild or theirParents/Carers; or ignoremedical evidenceoropinion

(althoughthis maybechallenged).

Sendchildrenwithmedical conditionshomefrequentlyor preventthem fromstayingfor normal school activities,includinglunch, unless this is specifiedintheirIHPs.

If thechildbecomes ill,sendthem totheschool officeunaccompanied or withsomeone unsuitable.

Penalisechildrenfor theirattendancerecord iftheir absences arerelatedtotheirmedical condition e.g.hospitalappointments.

Preventchildrenfrom drinking, eatingor takingtoilet orother breaks whenever theyneedto in order tomanage theirmedical condition effectively.

Require Parents/Carers, or otherwise make themfeel obliged,toattendtheschool to administermedicationor providemedical support to theirchild,includingtoiletingissues.

 NoParent/Carer should havetogive upworkingbecausetheschoolis failingtosupport

theirchild’smedical needs.

Preventchildrenfromparticipating,or createunnecessarybarriers tochildrenparticipating in anyaspectofschoollife,includingschooltrips, e.g. byrequiringParents/Carersto accompanythechild,unlessthis is inthebestinterest ofthechild,or for HealthandSafety reasons.

Complaints

Should Parents/Carers or Pupils bedissatisfiedwith thesupport provided,theyshould discuss theirconcerns directly with theClassTeacher,SENCo or Headteacher. If,for whatever reason, this does notresolve theissue,parents maymakea formal complaint,detailsofwhich areoutlined intheschool’sComplaintsProcedure.

Appendices

1. AsthmaPumpTimeSheet

2. West SussexPupilRecord(AdmissionForm)

3. Flowchart for Individual HealthCarePlans

4. HealthCarePlanPro-forma

5. ParentalPermission–LongTermMedicine

6. Parental Permission–ShortTermMedicine

7. Parental Permission–Epipen

8. Parental Permission–Inhaler