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First Aid and Medicines

 

 

First Aid

Despite regular risk assessments, accidents and injuries at school are inevitable. When a child is injured, he or she is encouraged to report the injury to a member of staff who, acting as a first-line of aid only, makes a decision about the action needed to attend to the injury or wound.  Most children are asked to report to the school office where they will be attended to by an available member of staff.

 

All of our staff have received some very basic training in first aid.  We also have members of staff who have received additional training to provide more assistant and advice, if needed.

 

Staff are responsible for administering 'first aid' only, that is the first level of any treatment needed following an injury or minor accident. Where a first-aider does not feel that the problem can be dealt with satisfactorily in school, we will contact the child's parents/carers and/or seek further medical assistance, perhaps by calling for an ambulance.

 

Please ensure that contact details are up to date so we can contact you in an emergency or should your child be ill and need to go home.

 

 

 

Administration of Medication in School

In cases where children are required to take medication during the school day, the Headteacher prefers parents/carers to administer such medication at home. For example, where medication is required three times per day, doses can be given before school, at the end of the school day and in the evening before the child goes to bed. 

 

In circumstances where this is not possible, for example where a child needs to take medication before or after lunch, then the school may agree to administer medication during the school day.  This request should always be done via the school office.

 

There is no legal duty requiring school staff to administer medication or to supervise a child when taking medicines.  This is a voluntary role.  However, where the school does agree to administer medicines, this will be done only with the written consent and instruction of the parents/carers.  We ask that parents/carers fill in a form at the school office providing all information relevant to administering the medication. 

 

All medication, with the exception of inhalers, will be kept in the school office and a record kept of its use.

 

 

 

Inhalers 

Many children have inhalers to help them control their asthma. If your child takes a 'preventative' inhaler, please ensure that the correct dosage is taken when it should be. This is usually before school. All inhalers which are brought into school should be labelled with your child's name. This ensures that it can be returned if found and that your child does not use a similar inhaler belonging to another child.

 

For children in Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 inhalers will be kept in the school office.  Children in Key Stage 2 are asked to keep their own inhalers, usually in their tray or in their school bag.  This ensures that the child has access to it at all times and helps the child to become independent in its management and use.

 

Should your child have an asthma attack and is unable to use their inhaler (due to it being left at home or expiring), a member of staff, usually a first-aider, will help your child to control his/her breathing.  During this time, a phone call will be made to parents/carers to ask if the inhaler is available at home and can be brought into school.  In extreme circumstances, if the child's breathing becomes strained and difficult, the school will call for an ambulance.  It is the school's policy not to allow a child to use someone else's inhaler (even if similar) without the permission of a parent/carer.