Medical Information

Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions and Allergy Safety

Our Commitment to Children's Health, Safety and Wellbeing

At SS John and Monica Catholic Primary School, the health, safety and wellbeing of every child are of the utmost importance. We are committed to providing a safe, caring and inclusive environment in which all pupils, including those with medical conditions, can participate fully in school life and achieve their potential.

In accordance with the Department for Education's statutory guidance, Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions, and relevant legislation, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and the Equality Act 2010, we aim to ensure that children with medical needs receive appropriate support throughout the school day.

We recognise that every child's medical needs are different and that effective communication and close cooperation between school, parents, carers and healthcare professionals are essential.

Our priority is to ensure that no child is unnecessarily disadvantaged or excluded from educational opportunities because of a medical condition or allergy.

Supporting Children with Medical Conditions

We work closely with parents, carers and healthcare professionals to understand and respond appropriately to individual medical needs.

Where necessary, an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) will be developed to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place.

An Individual Healthcare Plan may include:

Details of the child's medical condition, symptoms and potential triggers.
Medication requirements, including dosage, administration and storage.
Daily care arrangements and any necessary adjustments.
Procedures to follow in a medical emergency.
Arrangements for educational visits, physical education, school trips and extracurricular activities.
The roles and responsibilities of staff involved in supporting the child.

Healthcare plans are developed in consultation with parents and relevant professionals and reviewed at least annually, or sooner if a child's medical needs change.

We aim to ensure that children with medical conditions can access the full curriculum, including physical education, educational visits and school activities, with appropriate reasonable adjustments and risk assessments where required.

Administering Medication in School

We recognise that some children require medication during the school day to manage their medical conditions and maintain their health.

Medication should only be brought into school when it is necessary for a child's health or wellbeing during the school day.

Where medication is required, the following arrangements apply:

Parental Consent: Parents or carers must complete the school's medication consent form before staff can administer medication, except where an emergency exception applies.
Prescribed Medication: Medicines must be in date, clearly labelled and supplied in their original packaging, with instructions for dosage, administration and storage. Insulin administered through a pen or pump is an exception to the original-container requirement.
Non-Prescribed Medication: Requests for non-prescribed medication will be considered individually in accordance with the school's policy and appropriate medical guidance. Written parental consent is required.
Antibiotics: Wherever possible, doses should be administered outside school hours. Where this is not possible, the school will discuss arrangements with parents to ensure that prescribed treatment can be supported safely.
Pain Relief: Medication such as paracetamol will only be administered where appropriate arrangements and consent are in place. Staff will check the recommended dosage and when the previous dose was taken.
Aspirin: Children under 16 will not be given medication containing aspirin unless it has been prescribed by a doctor.
Specialist Medication: Where medication requires specialist knowledge or training, appropriate arrangements will be made in consultation with parents and healthcare professionals.

Parents and carers must inform the school immediately of any changes to their child's medication, dosage or medical requirements.

Important Medication Safety Rules

Children must never bring medication into school in their bags without prior agreement and appropriate arrangements.

All medication must be handed directly to the School Office by a parent or responsible adult, unless specific arrangements have been agreed for a child to carry their own emergency medication.

This includes cough medicines, pain relief and medicated throat lozenges.

Medication is stored securely and appropriately, while ensuring that emergency medication remains readily accessible to those who need it.

A record is maintained of medication administered by school staff.

Asthma Management

We are committed to ensuring that children with asthma are supported to manage their condition safely and confidently at school.

Parents and carers of children diagnosed with asthma are asked to:

Inform the school of their child's diagnosis and any changes to their condition.
Provide an in-date, clearly labelled reliever inhaler and appropriate spacer, where prescribed.
Supply an up-to-date asthma action plan where available.
Ensure that medication is replaced before its expiry date.
Inform staff of any changes to treatment or known asthma triggers.

Emergency asthma medication is kept readily accessible, and children are supported to access their prescribed inhalers promptly whenever required.

Where appropriate, children may carry their own inhalers, in line with their age, understanding and individual healthcare arrangements.

Staff are made aware of pupils with asthma and the procedures to follow in the event of an asthma attack.

Allergy Awareness and Anaphylaxis Safety

Keeping Children with Allergies Safe

At SS John and Monica's, we take allergies and the risk of anaphylaxis extremely seriously.

We recognise that allergic reactions can range from mild symptoms to severe, potentially life-threatening emergencies. Our aim is to minimise risks, promote allergy awareness and ensure that staff are prepared to respond quickly and appropriately.

We are committed to developing an allergy-aware school environment, where children with allergies feel safe, included and supported.

Working in Partnership with Parents

Parents and carers play a vital role in helping us to manage allergies safely.

We ask families to:

Inform the school immediately if their child has a diagnosed or suspected allergy.
Provide clear information about known allergens, symptoms and any previous reactions.
Supply prescribed emergency medication, including adrenaline auto-injectors where required.
Provide an up-to-date Allergy Action Plan, developed with an appropriate healthcare professional.
Inform the school promptly of changes to their child's condition, medication or dietary requirements.
Ensure prescribed medication is in date and replaced when necessary.

Where appropriate, an Individual Healthcare Plan and allergy risk assessment will be developed in consultation with parents and healthcare professionals.

Allergy Safety in School

We take practical steps to reduce the risk of allergic reactions, including:

Ensuring relevant staff are aware of children's allergies and individual care requirements.
Maintaining appropriate records of medical conditions and allergies.
Working closely with our catering provider to identify allergens and support children with specific dietary requirements.
Promoting good hygiene, including regular handwashing and the cleaning of eating areas.
Discouraging the sharing or swapping of food between children.
Considering allergies when planning cooking activities, celebrations, school trips and other events involving food.
Ensuring emergency medication is accessible and that relevant staff understand how to respond to an allergic reaction.

We also encourage parents to be mindful of food allergies when sending food into school for celebrations or special events.

Although we take reasonable precautions to minimise exposure to allergens, we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment.

Anaphylaxis and Emergency Procedures

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction requiring immediate action.

Staff receive appropriate allergy awareness and anaphylaxis training, including recognising the signs of a serious allergic reaction and understanding emergency procedures.

Where a child has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector, arrangements are made to ensure that the medication is readily available and that relevant staff know how to use it.

In the event of suspected anaphylaxis, staff will follow the child's emergency plan and the school's emergency procedures, including administering adrenaline promptly where indicated and calling 999.

Parents or carers will be contacted as soon as possible.

The safety of the child will always take priority.

Medical Conditions, School Trips and Physical Activities

We believe that all children should have opportunities to participate fully in the wider life of the school.

Children with medical conditions and allergies will be supported to take part in:

Physical education and sporting activities.
Educational visits and residential experiences.
School Masses, celebrations and performances.
After-school clubs and enrichment activities.
Other curriculum and extracurricular opportunities.

Appropriate risk assessments and reasonable adjustments will be made where necessary, and relevant medical information and emergency medication will accompany children when required.

We will work with families to ensure that medical needs are carefully considered when planning activities.

Medical and Dental Appointments

We encourage parents and carers to arrange routine medical and dental appointments outside school hours wherever possible to minimise disruption to children's learning.

Where an appointment must take place during the school day:

Parents should inform the School Office in advance.
Evidence of the appointment, such as an appointment letter or confirmation, may be requested.
Parents or an authorised adult must report to the School Office before collecting their child.
Children must be signed out in accordance with school safeguarding procedures.

No child may leave the school premises during the school day without an authorised adult and the school's knowledge and permission.

Communication and Shared Responsibility

Keeping children safe is a shared responsibility.

We ask parents and carers to maintain open communication with the school and ensure that all medical information is accurate and up to date.

In return, we are committed to:

Listening carefully to parents' concerns and understanding individual children's needs.
Treating medical information sensitively and confidentially, sharing it appropriately with staff who need to know.
Providing relevant staff training and clear procedures.
Reviewing arrangements when a child's medical circumstances change.
Promoting a culture of understanding, inclusion and respect for children with medical conditions and allergies.

Further Information

If your child has a medical condition, allergy or requires medication during the school day, please contact the School Office so that appropriate arrangements can be discussed and agreed.

Our school's Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions Policy and Allergy Safety Policy provide further details of our procedures and responsibilities.

At SS John and Monica Catholic Primary School, we believe that every child deserves to feel safe, included, cared for and confident in school. By working together with families and healthcare professionals, we strive to ensure that every child can participate fully in school life and flourish