The Kingsway School is committed to Safeguarding. Kingsway students should not bring to school any medicines or non-prescribed medicines without informing the school in advance. We strongly discourage parents and carers from allowing students to have medicines or non-prescribed medicines (including paracetamol) on their person, during the school day. This action safeguards against a variety of potential risks.
Prescribed Medicines
- Medicines are only given in school where it is essential; that is where it would be detrimental to a child’s health if the medicine were not administered during the school day.
- We only accept medicines that have been prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse practitioner or pharmacist prescriber.
- Medicines should always be provided in the original container, as dispensed by a pharmacist, and include the prescriber's instructions for administration and dosage.
Non-prescribed Medicines: paracetamol, hay fever tablets
- We only administer non-prescribed medicines if we have obtained parental permission.
- Form 3A is completed by parents/carers for the use of medicines to be given long term (and is available on request from our Medical Officer/PHOY).
- Prior to administering paracetamol, we always check:
1. That the medicine has been administered without adverse effect in the past.
2. When the young person last had a dose administered.
3. If any other medicine containing paracetamol has been administered.
4. The dose of paracetamol to be administered and what it is being administered for.
5. Verbal consent is obtained and recorded on our accident/incident sheet.
Record Keeping
Although there is no legal requirement to keep records of medicines given to students, and the staff involved, it is good practice to do so. Records offer protection to staff and proof that they have followed agreed procedures.
- Form 3A is completed by parents/carers for the use of medicines to be given long term (and is available on request from our Medical Officer/PHOY).
- Medicines should always be provided in the original container, as dispensed by a pharmacist, and include the prescriber's instructions.
- Verbal consent is obtained and recorded on our accident/incident sheet, when paracetamol is administered.
Storing Medicines
- All prescribed medicines are stored in a locked cupboard within a locked room.
- Non-prescribed medicines are stored in a locked cupboard.
Students bringing prescribed medicine into school: short term use
We would encourage parents who feel it necessary to send students into school with medication to provide:
- Written consent.
- Medication for that day only, in the original container.
- Students should be encouraged to hand medication into the Medical Officer rather than keeping it on their person.
Providing paracetamol in school: short term use
It is recommended that the school keeps its own stock of tablets. This reduces the risk of students carrying medicines.
Parental consent is still required prior to administering any medicines.
If you have any concerns, please contact our Medical Officer or your child’s Pastoral Head of Year.
Our Medical Officer is Mrs N. Peach, who can be contacted on:
Telephone: 0161 428 7706 ext. 3010 (Broadway) or ext. 4011 (Foxland)
Email: welfare@kingsway.stockport.sch.uk