Medication
Page Contents
What Parents Need to Know
The safety of pupils is our highest priority. For your child’s safety, our school can only administer medication and / or supplements under specific conditions. We must have a signed consent from a parent or carer before giving any medication or supplement, and all medication or supplements must be provided in its original packaging with the pharmacy label clearly showing the child’s name, dosage, and instructions.
Staff are not permitted to hide medication in food or drink, unless this has been formally authorised by a medical professional, parents or carers, and agreed in writing by both. Under no circumstance are staff to use any form of restraint to administer medication.
These procedures are in place to protect every child and ensure medication is given safely and appropriately.
This procedure follows Department for Education guidance: Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions at School (2015).
General Rules for All Medication
- All medicines must be in the original container/packaging as dispensed by the pharmacy.
- A pharmacy prescription label must be attached, showing:
- Child’s full name
- Name of medicine
- Dosage and instructions
- Medication should normally be supplied unopened when first brought to school, unless listed in the exceptions below.
- We cannot accept medicines in unlabelled containers, plastic bags, or handwritten bottles/packets.
- Paracetamol (e.g. Calpol) may be administered with written parental consent for up to 3 consecutive days. If required for longer, it must be supplied with a pharmacy prescription label.
- Other non-prescribed (over-the-counter) medicines (such as cough syrup, nasal sprays or ibuprofen) cannot be accepted or administered unless accompanied by a pharmacy prescription label.
- Supplements, vitamins, herbal remedies, or nutritional products will not be administered in school unless prescribed by a healthcare professional and supplied with a pharmacy prescription label.
- Medicines prescribed three times a day (or less) should usually be administered at home (e.g. before school, after school, bedtime). The only exception is where the timing is specifically required during the school day (for example, a dose before lunch).
Transport of Medication to School
We understand that most pupils travel to school by taxi and it is not always practical for the parent/carer to bring medication directly.
- Parents/carers must hand medication directly to the Passenger Assistant on their child’s transport, making it clear that the child is carrying medication.
- Parents/carers should clearly explain where the medication is located (e.g., child’s bag, medical pouch, or container).
- Passenger Assistants will then pass the medication to school staff on arrival.
- Please ensure medication is securely packaged and clearly labelled to avoid any risk of loss or confusion during transport.
Emergency Medication
(Midazolam, Adrenal Auto Injectors – AAI’s such as EpiPen, or Rescue Inhalers)
- Must be provided in the original packaging with the pharmacy prescription label attached.
- Parents/carers must ensure there is always a sufficient in-date supply in school.
- An up-to-date healthcare/care plan must be provided and signed by a healthcare professional.
- Where appropriate and agreed in a care plan, some pupils may carry and self-administer their own emergency medication under staff supervision.
- Adrenal Auto Injectors (AAIs) such as EpiPen – must be provided as two separate devices.
Exceptions to the 'Unopend' Rule
The following medicines are acceptable once opened, provided they are in the original packaging with the prescription label attached:
- Liquid antibiotics (often reconstituted by the pharmacy before dispensing).
- Inhalers (where the prescription label may be attached directly to the device).
- Insulin pens/cartridges (which may already be in use).
- Creams or ointments (when needed both at home and in school).
- Specialist feeds or nutritional supplements (dispensed with a dietician’s or pharmacy label and in line with the diet plan).
Storage and Expiry
- Some medicines require special storage, such as refrigeration. Please inform school staff if this applies so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
- Parents/carers are responsible for ensuring that all medication supplied to school is within its expiry date.
- Replacement medication must be provided in good time before the current supply runs out or expires.
Changes to Prescriptions
If there are any changes to your child’s medication or dosage, school must be provided with an updated prescription label or a letter from a healthcare professional, as well as an updated and signed consent form (see below) before the new dosage can be administered.
Consent
A parental consent form must be completed before any medicine can be administered in school.
- Without this form, staff cannot legally or safely give medicines to pupils.
Responsibilities of Parents/ Carers
- Provide medication in line with the guidance above.
- Inform the school immediately of any changes to your child’s medical condition or prescribed medication.
- Ensure a current healthcare plan is in place for pupils with long-term or emergency medical needs.
- Replace medication before it runs out or expires.
- Administer all doses that can be safely managed at home, unless the prescription specifically requires a dose during the school day.
- Inform the school of any possible side effects of your child’s medication, and record these on the consent form or healthcare plan so that staff know what to look out for.
Thank You
We appreciate your help in keeping all pupils safe. If you are unsure about whether medication or supplements can be accepted, please speak to Oliver Wilson before sending it in.