Medical Needs and Administering Medicine

Hillcross Primary School is an inclusive school and we make every effort to ensure that all pupils are included in every aspect of school life.  Pupils at our school with medical conditions are fully supported so that they have full access to education, including school trips and physical education.  We will consider the needs of children with particular medical conditions on a case-by –case basis so that they can play a full and active role in school life, remain healthy and achieve their academic potential.

When a child is obviously unwell, the best place for them to be is at home, with an adult.  A sick child will be unable to cope with school work and, if the illness is infectious, will put others at risk.

Teachers and other school staff have no obligation to give medicines to children at school.  They will only do so to cooperate with parents in the best interests of children with long-term or complex medical needs or where short term treatment such as antibiotics are stopping the children returning to school despite them having made a full recovery.  This is undertaken on the basis that neither they, the school, nor the local authority will be held responsible for any problems, which may result from their so doing.

Parents must provide the school with sufficient and up to date information about their child’s medical needs.  We believe they are a key partner and must be involved in the development and review of their child’s healthcare plan.  We also believe that pupils are often best placed to provide information about how their medical condition affects them and we involve them in the process as fully as possible.