Medication

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The administration of medication at Cleaswell Hill School is governed by the Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions Policy and coordinated by the Medication Coordinator, Jordan Tolley.

School will generally only administer prescribed medication where it is prescribed for four or more times a day, or where it is prescribed to be given at a certain time during the school day (e.g. lunch time).

Generally, non-prescription over the counter medication (such as cold remedies, cough medicines, paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, eye drops etc.) will not be administered in school. However, in some circumstances the school may consider administering certain medication and each request received by a parent/carer to do so will be assessed individually. It is school policy that ‘painkillers’ such as paracetamol and ibuprofen will only be administered by school where it is used to manage a medical condition, and not for general issues such as headaches or period pains. In addition, paracetamol and ibuprofen will only be given for a maximum of two days unless a doctor or other medical practitioner provided written evidence of the medical need for continued pain relief.

Parents are also responsible for the timely notification to school of any changes, including the cessation, of medication administered in school. Notification should by made by phone call then followed up by an email to medication@cleaswellhill.org as soon as possible. It is not appropriate to make notification to school via any other method.

General Procedures:

1. If parents/carers wish to request that school administer medication, an Administration of Medication Agreement form should be completed and sent to school, preferably in advance of the medication being sent in.

2. The parent (not the pupil) or transport contractor should bring all medication to school. It should be delivered to the reception team.

3. All prescribed medication taken in school must be kept in its original packaging (with matching batch number) with pharmacy label, which must give the owner’s name, the contents and the dosage to be administered. Any non-prescribed medication given should also be kept in the original packaging and include information on dosage.

4. Medication to be taken orally should be supplied with an individual measuring spoon or syringe.

5. Renewal of medication which has passed its expiry date is the responsibility of the parent. Nevertheless, school has robust procedures in place to ensure that out of date medication is not administered in error. If parents are unable to collect expired medication, then staff will take it to the local pharmacy so that it can be disposed of safely.

If there are any queries relating to the administration of medication, please contact the school office on 01670 823182 or email medication@cleaswellhill.org.