St Winifred’s Primary School

Policy on Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions

Policy on supporting children with medical conditions

Section 100 of 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 special medical needs have the same right of admission to school as other pupils and cannot be refused admission or excluded from school on medical grounds alone. However, teachers and other school staff in charge of pupils have a common law duty to act in the place of the parent and may need to take swift action in an emergency. This duty also extends to teachers leading activities.

Responsibility for a pupil’s health lies with the parent, who is responsible for the pupil’s medication and should supply the school with information.

This Policy will be reviewed regularly and will be readily accessible to parents/carers and staff through our school website.

Policy Implementation

All schools and academies are expected by Ofsted to have a policy dealing with medical needs and to be able to demonstrate that this is implemented effectively. The overall responsibility for the successful administering and implementation of this Policy is given to Claire Gillespie (Head teacher). She will also be responsible for ensuring that sufficient staff are suitably trained and will ensure cover arrangements in case of staff absences or staff turnover to ensure that someone is always available and on site.

She will also be responsible for briefing supply teachers, risk assessments for school visits 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 pupils’ medical conditions. All new members of staff will be inducted into the arrangements and guidelines set out in this Policy.

Definitions of Medical Conditions:

Pupils’ medical needs may be broadly summarised as being of two types:

Short-term affecting their participation in school activities because they are on a course of medication.
Long-term potentially limiting their access to education and requiring extra care and support (deemed special medical needs).

The Role of Staff at St Winifred’s

Some pupils 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 and may have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which brings together health and social care needs, as well as their special educational provision. For pupils with SEN, this guidance should be read in conjunction with the SEN Code of Practice.

If a pupil is deemed to have a long-term medical condition, the school will ensure that arrangements are in place to support them. In doing so, we will ensure that wherever possible, such pupils can access and enjoy the same opportunities at school as any other pupil. The school, health professionals, parents/carers and other support services will work together to ensure that pupils with medical conditions receive a full education, unless this would not be in their best interests because of their health needs or other needs. In some cases this will require flexibility and involve, for example, programmes of study that rely on part time attendance at school in combination with alternative provision arranged by the Local Authority and health professionals. Consideration will also be given to how pupils will be reintegrated back into school after long periods of absence.

Staff must not give prescription medicines or undertake health care procedures without appropriate training (updated to reflect any Individual Health Care Plans). We recognise that a first-aid certificate does not constitute appropriate training in supporting pupils with medical conditions. Healthcare professionals will be called upon to provide training and subsequent confirmation of the proficiency of staff in a medical procedure, or in providing medication.

Procedures to be followed when Notification is received that a Pupil has a Medical Condition

We will ensure that the correct procedures will be followed whenever we are 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 St Winifred’s arrangements will be in place in time for the start of the relevant school term provided we are informed of needs and are given appropriate notice to be able to do so. In other cases, such as a new diagnosis or pupils moving to the school mid-term, we will make every effort to ensure that arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. In making the arrangements, the school will take into account that many of the medical conditions that require support at school will affect quality of life and may be life threatening.

We will also acknowledge that some will be more obvious than others. We will therefore ensure that the focus is on the needs of each individual pupil and how their medical condition impacts on their school life. The school will ensure that arrangements give parents/carers and pupils, confidence in the school’s ability to provide effective support for medical conditions in school. The arrangements will show an understanding of how medical conditions impact on a pupil’s ability to learn, as well as increase their confidence and promote self-care. We will ensure that staff are properly trained to provide the support that pupils need. We will also involve the pupil as far as possible in the care plan and ensure that their voice is heard.

The school will ensure that arrangements are clear and unambiguous about the need to actively support pupils with medical conditions to participate in school trips and visits, or in sporting activities, and not prevent them from doing so. The School will make arrangements for the inclusion of pupils in such activities with any adjustments as required unless evidence from a clinician such as a GP states that this is not possible. The school will make sure that no pupil with a medical condition is denied admission or prevented from attending the school because arrangements for their medical condition have not been made. However, in line with our Safeguarding duties, we will ensure that pupils’ health is not put at unnecessary risk from, for example infectious diseases. We will therefore not accept a pupil in school at times where it would be detrimental to the health of that pupil or others.

The School does not have to wait for a formal diagnosis before providing support to pupils. In cases where a pupil’s medical condition is unclear, or where there is a difference of opinion, judgements will be needed about what support to provide based on the available evidence. This would normally involve some form of medical evidence and consultation with parents/carers. Where evidence conflicts, some degree of challenge may be necessary to ensure that the right support can be put in place. This will usually be led by the Inclusion Manager. Following the discussions an Individual Health Care Plan will be put in place.

Where a pupil has an Individual Health Care Plan, this should clearly define what constitutes an emergency and explain what to do, including ensuring that all relevant staff are aware of emergency symptoms and procedures. We will ensure that wherever possible, pupils are involved in their care plan and are clear about what to do when they need support. Other pupils in the school should know what to do in general terms, such as informing a teacher immediately if they think help is needed. If a pupil (regardless of whether they have an Individual Health Care Plan) needs to be taken to hospital, staff should stay with the pupil until the parent/carer arrives, or accompany a pupil taken to hospital by ambulance.

Individual Health Care Plans

Individual Health Care Plans will be written and reviewed by our Inclusion Manager but it will be the responsibility of all members of staff supporting the individual pupils to ensure that the Plan is followed. The class teacher will be responsible for the pupil’s development and ensuring that they and their medical conditions are supported at school.

Individual Healthcare Plans will help to ensure that the school effectively supports pupils with medical conditions. They will provide clarity about what needs to be done, when and by whom. They will often be essential, such as 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 too, especially where medical conditions are long-term and complex. However, not all pupils will require one. The school, health care professional and parents/carers should agree, based on evidence, when a Health Care Plan would be inappropriate or disproportionate. If consensus cannot be reached, the Head teacher is best placed to take a final view.

Individual Health Care Plans will be easily accessible to all who need to refer to them, while preserving confidentiality. Plans will capture the key information and actions that are required to support the pupil effectively. The level of detail within plans will depend on the complexity of the pupil’s condition and the degree of support needed. This is important because different pupils with the same health condition may require very different support. Where a pupil has SEN but does not have an EHC plan, their SEN should be mentioned in their Individual Health Care Plan.

Individual Health Care Plans, (and their Review), may be initiated, in consultation with the parent/carer and pupil (where possible), by a member of school staff or a healthcare professional involved in providing care to the pupil. The Individual Health Care Plan must be completed by the Lead Professional (usually the Inclusion Manager) with support from parents/carers, and a relevant healthcare professional, e.g. school, specialist or pupil’s community nurse, who can best advise on the particular needs of the pupil. Pupils should be involved whenever appropriate. The responsibility for ensuring it is finalised and implemented rests with the school.

The school will ensure that Individual Health Care Plans are reviewed at least annually or earlier if evidence is presented that the pupil’s needs have changed. They will be developed and reviewed with the pupil’s best interests in mind and ensure that the school assesses and manages risks to the pupil’s education, health and social wellbeing and minimises disruption. Where the pupil has a SEN identified in an EHC plan, the Individual Health Care Plan should be linked to or become part of that EHC plan.

Individual Health Care Plans must include;

the medical condition, its triggers, signs, symptoms and treatments
the pupil’s resulting needs, including medication (dose, side-effects and storage) and other treatments, time, facilities, equipment, testing, access to food and drink
where this is used to manage their condition, dietary requirements and environmental issues e.g. crowded/noisy conditions, travel time between lessons;
specific support for the pupil’s educational, social and emotional needs – for example, how absences will be managed, requirements for extra time to complete tests, use of rest periods or additional support in catching up with lessons, counselling sessions
the level of support needed, (some pupils will be able to take responsibility for their own health needs), including in emergencies. If a pupil is self-managing their medication, this should be clearly stated with appropriate arrangements for monitoring
who will provide this support, their training needs, expectations of their role and confirmation of proficiency to provide support for the pupil’s medical condition from a healthcare professional; and cover arrangements for when they are unavailable
who in the school needs to be aware of the pupil’s condition and the support required;
arrangements for written permission from parents/carers for medication to be administered by a member of staff, or self-administered by the pupil during school hours
separate arrangements or procedures required for school trips or other school activities outside of the normal school timetable that will ensure the pupil can participate, e.g. risk assessments;
where confidentiality issues are raised by the parents/carers or pupil, the designated individuals to be entrusted with information about the pupil’s condition;
what to do in an emergency, including whom to contact, and contingency arrangements. Some pupils may have an Emergency Health Care Plan prepared by their lead clinician that could be used to inform development of their Individual
Health Care Plan. The Emergency Health Care Plan will not be the school’s responsibility to write or review.

The Pupil’s Role in managing their own Medical Needs

If it is deemed, after discussion with the parents/carers, that a pupil is competent to manage their own health needs and medicines, the School will encourage them to take responsibility for managing their own medicines and procedures. Pupils should be involved as far as appropriate in decisions around their care plan. This will be reflected within Individual Health Care Plans.

Wherever possible, pupils should be allowed to carry their own medicines and relevant devices or should be able to access their medicines for self-medication quickly and easily; these will be stored in the cupboard in the Medical Area to ensure that the safeguarding of other pupils is not compromised. The school does also recognise that pupils who can take their medicines themselves or manage procedures may require an appropriate level of supervision. If a pupil is not able to self-medicate then relevant staff should help to administer medicines and manage procedures for them. If a pupil refuses to take medicine or carry out a necessary procedure, staff should not force them to do so but instead follow the procedure agreed in the Individual Health Care Plan. Parents/carers should be informed, outside of the review, so that alternative options can be considered.

The following are the procedures to be followed for managing medicines:

Medicines should only be administered at the school when it would be detrimental to a pupil’s health or school attendance not to do so.
No pupil should be given prescription or non-prescription medicines without their parents/carers written request and consent.
In consultation with parents, we may administer non-prescription medicines to a pupil. Hayfever / eczema cream / calpol / eyedrops have been given with parental request.
The school will only accept prescribed medicines that are in-date, labelled, provided in the original container as dispensed by a pharmacist and include name of pupil, instructions for administration, dosage and storage. The exception to this is insulin which must still be in date, but will generally be available inside an insulin pen or a pump, rather than in its original container.
All medicines will be stored safely in the medical cupboards. Pupils 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, which will be the office staff.
Medicines and devices such as asthma inhalers, blood glucose testing meters and adrenaline pens should be always readily available to pupils and not locked away; these will be stored where both class teacher and pupil know how to access them. If a pupil requires an asthma inhaler, it is crucial that there is an inhaler in the school at all times.
During school trips, a member of staff will carry all medical devices and medicines required.
Staff administering medicines should do so in accordance with the prescriber’s instructions. The school will keep a record of all medicines administered to individual pupils, stating what, how and how much was administered, when and by whom. Any side effects of the medication to be administered at the School should be noted.
Written records are kept of all medicines administered to pupils. These records offer protection to staff and pupils and provide evidence that agreed procedures have been followed.
When no longer required, medicines should be returned to the parent/carer to arrange for safe disposal. Sharps boxes should always be used for the disposal of needles and other sharps.

Unacceptable Practice

Although School staff should use their discretion and judge each case on its merits with reference to the pupil’s Individual Health Care Plan, it is not generally acceptable practice to:

prevent pupils from easily accessing their inhalers and medication and administering their medication when and where necessary
assume that every pupil with the same condition requires the same treatment
ignore the views of the pupil or their parents/carers; or ignore medical evidence or opinion, (although this may be challenged)
send pupils with medical conditions home frequently or prevent them from staying for normal school activities, including lunch, unless this is specified in their individual healthcare plans
if the pupil becomes ill, send them to the school office or medical room unaccompanied or with someone unsuitable
penalise pupils for their attendance record if their absences are related to their medical condition e.g. 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/carers, or otherwise make them feel obliged, to attend the school to administer medication or provide medical support to their pupil, including with toileting issues. No parent/carer should have to give up working because the School is failing to support their pupil’s medical needs; or
prevent pupils from participating, or create unnecessary barriers to pupils participating in any aspect of School life, including school trips, e.g. by requiring parents/carers to accompany the pupil.

Complaints

Should parents/carers or pupils be dissatisfied with the support provided they should discuss their concerns directly with the School. If for whatever reason this does not resolve the issue, they may make a formal complaint via the complaints procedure outlined in the School’s Complaints Policy.

Reviewed November 2022