Medicine at School

The administering of medicines is the responsibility of parents. There is no requirement for head teachers or staff to undertake these responsibilities, but administering medicines may be included in the contractual duties for some non-teaching staff. Pupils with medical needs have the same right of admission to school as other children.

In County Durham the Local Authority works closely with the Health Authorities in order to provide schools with effective support and guidance in meeting the medical needs of pupils and providing detailed information and advice.

School are able to develop their own policies and procedures for supporting pupils with medical needs, including arrangements, where appropriate, for administering medication at school.

For pupils with more complex medical conditions, schools with help from parents/carers and medical staff will draw up an individual health care plan to help staff identify the appropriate action they need to take to best support the pupil.

What you can do to help:

• Ensure that your child is fit and well enough to attend school.
• Provide full details of health issues and keep the school informed of any changes.
• Wherever possible seek to have prescribed medicines taken outside of school hours.
• If medicines are prescribed for your child and must be administered during the course of the school day, convey it to the school in its original packaging and where possible only provide a sufficient amount for that day.
• Hand the medication direct to school and avoid your child carrying medicines into school.