Illness & Absence
Sometimes children become unwell or sustain an accidental injury at school. In these cases we have a designated medical room where the child can sit or lie down for a while, but parents are always contacted as soon as possible so that the child can be taken home. Parents are asked to make sure that we always have up-to-date contact numbers. It only adds to a child's distress if no one can be reached, and should hospital treatment be necessary, it usually requires parental consent.
If the child needs medical attention and parents cannot be reached, the school will contact the child's doctor, drive or send for an ambulance to take the child to the Horton Hospital, accompanied by a member of staff.
Children who have had sickness and/or diarrhoea should be kept at home for at least 48 hours after the last bout of sickness.
While children are at school, the School Nurse, who checks their height, weight, hearing and vision, sees them on several occasions. Other health professionals visit the school regularly and parents are notified if their child will be seen.
The 1989 Children's Act places responsibilities on Local Authorities for Child welfare and protection. In Northamptonshire the schools take on the role as first point of call. The Headteacher liaises with social services when there is any concern about pupil welfare. The school takes this responsibility very seriously and both the Headteacher and the teacher designated for child protection undergo regular training. Any issues are handled with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity.
Process for the administration of medicines in School
Please click to see the full details of our medicines policies:
Only medication prescribed by medical professionals, e.g. a child’s GP, consultant or dentist, will be administered by school staff during a school day. It must be in its original container with the child’s name clearly printed on the dispensing label. Non-prescribed medicines (such as soothers, cough sweets, etc) will not be administered to pupils at Middleton Cheney Primary Academy unless advised by a medical practitioner in writing.
Medicines will only be administered in school if absolutely necessary and required by a child’s prescription. That is, when it would be detrimental to a child’s health if the medicine were not administered during the school day. If medication is required 3 times a day, it is expected that the child is given one dose before school, one immediately after and one in the evening.
Medicines will only be administered by school staff if accompanied by a signed letter or completed form (Appendix 1 on the Policy) from a parent or carer with specific instructions regarding the timing and amount required. If required, the parent/carer should also include details of how the medicine should be stored.
The parent/carer is solely responsible for providing medication that is in date, has been kept in the correct conditions and is accompanied by a current prescription.
Parents and carers are welcome to come into school to administer medicines during the school day. They are asked to report to the school office so that their child can be collected from class.
If a child uses an inhaler for asthma, again the form must be completed by a member of staff
Where a child has long-term medical needs, a care plan must be written with the assistance of the school nurse and/or the child’s doctor and in the presence of the parent/guardian of the named child.
Non-prescribed medicines (such as soothers, cough sweets, throat sweets, etc) will not be administered to pupils at Middleton Cheney Primary Academy unless advised by a medical practitioner. If the medical practitioner deems that any non-prescribed medication, or products used for medicinal purposes are a clinical requirement, and that not taking them would be detrimental to the child’s medical health, then the onus is on the parents providing a note from the practitioner to that effect. Any such products will only be given short term, and will be administered at set times such as break or lunch.
Residential visits – It is recognised that the role of a staff member when providing care on residential visits is ‘in loco parentis’ and therefore parents may request that prescribed and non prescribed medicines (such as Calpol) are administered to a child if required. Parental consent is obtained on the “Parental Consent for Residential Trips” form.