The responsibility for the administration of medicines to children in school lies with the parent. No Headteacher, teacher or non-teaching member of staff (unless medically qualified and specifically appointed to a post relating solely to the medical care of pupils) can be required to administer medicine in school. However, having regard to the best interests of the pupil, a Headteacher may be able to make arrangements for the administration of medicines in school, provided that certain criteria and conditions are met.
Short-term illness
It is often the case that a child, although requiring medical treatment, is fit enough to remain in school or to return to school before the course of treatment has been completed. In such circumstances, the Headteacher may agree to make arrangements for the administration of prescribed medicines provided that the parent is able to obtain a medical certificate stating that the child can attend school and that medication should continue. However, such certification does not place upon the Headteacher any obligation to accept responsibility for the administration of medicine.
Long-term complaints or chronic illness
Children suffering from long-term complaints or chronic illness will normally attend school regularly, while requiring medicine to be administered orally or, more rarely, by injection. After discussing the detailed requirements with the parent the Headteacher may agree to make the necessary arrangements, even though such administration will be regular and over a prolonged period. In all cases where the Headteacher agrees to administer medicine in school, it is essential that the parent states, clearly and in writing, the correct dosage and frequency of dosage. Wherever practical, the medicine, in the smallest amount necessary, should be brought to the school by the parent and delivered to the Headteacher or to the member of staff who has agreed to be responsible for its administration.
Medical knowledge or expertise, including injections
Headteachers and school staff are not normally permitted to administer medicines which require technical or medical knowledge or expertise, including injections, or where intimate contact with the pupil is necessary. However, for children susceptible to life-threatening allergic reactions, Headteachers and school staff may volunteer to administer an emergency EpiPen auto-injection after suitable training from medical staff.
Self-administration
Older pupils who have become trained in self-administration, and whose parents confirm in writing that this is the case, may be permitted to self-administer medication by means of injection during school sessions. Syringes or hypodermic needles brought to school for self-administration must be kept by a person nominated by the Headteacher to safeguard such equipment. Some medicines may be harmful to anyone for whom they are not prescribed. Headteachers will not accept responsibility for the storage or administration of controlled drugs, such as Ritalin.
Asthma
In response to written parental requests, Headteachers may make arrangements for children suffering from asthma and other related illnesses to use inhalers at school when they have been prescribed by medical authorities. Children of secondary school age may generally be deemed sufficiently competent to take care of their own inhalers during the course of the school day. In primary schools, Headteachers will decide where children’s inhalers should be kept, taking into consideration the wishes of parents and the age and maturity of the children concerned.
Non-prescription medication
School staff will not usually give non-prescription medication, including pain-killers (analgesics), to pupils. They may not know whether the pupil has taken a previous dose or whether the medication may react with other medication being taken. If a pupil suffers regularly from acute pain, such as migraine, parents should authorise and supply appropriate pain-killers for their child's use, with written instructions about when the child should take the medication. A member of staff will supervise the pupil taking the medication and notify the parents, in writing, on the day pain-killers are taken. A child under the age of twelve should never be given aspirin unless prescribed by a doctor.
Consent for Treatment
Except in an emergency, it would be unusual to find a medical practitioner willing to treat a person under the age of eighteen (sixteen under certain circumstances) without specific parental consent. It is not possible for the parent’s/carer’s right, to give or withhold consent, to be assigned to a third party, such as the Headteacher of a school.
Communicable Illnesses
Children suffering from communicable illnesses or conditions, e.g. chicken pox, measles, should remain at home until declared fit to return to school by their medical practitioner. A note from the medical practitioner confirming that the child is fit to return should be provided when the child is deemed fit to return to school.
Intimate Care
Each school and Early Years Foundation Setting has its own intimate care policy. Intimate care encompasses areas of personal care which some children may have difficulty with because of their youth or special needs. For example, children with certain special needs might require help with washing, dressing or toileting. Although parents are encouraged to make sure that their child is toilet trained before admission to an Early Years Foundation Stage 1 setting, some children may still have difficulty with this. Guidance to SCE staff is contained in the document “Guidelines for staff who provide intimate care for children and young people”.