Medicines in Schools

It is important that medical care or the administration of medication does not stop children from attending school regularly. There is no contractual obligation for head teachers and teachers to administer medication but all schools and nurseries in Warrington try to work with parents to support children who need to take medication.

This is what you should do to help:

• Make sure your child is well enough to attend school or nursery and can continue to take part in all learning activities that are expected of him/her.
• Check with your doctor to see if the medicine needed could just be taken outside of school hours and still be effective.
• Make sure that the head teacher/nursery manager has full details of your child’s medical condition, medication, treatment or care needs. This information may need to be shared with other staff members to support your child.
• Give the school or nursery full contact details and any arrangements needed in case your child becomes too unwell to be in school or nursery.
• Put the details, clearly in writing, of any medication to be given. You should ask school for the form that they need completing and signing or you could use Form 3A or 3B from the government guide 
  (Be aware of infectious diseases, which may mean your child cannot attend school. (e.g. measles or impetigo) You may need to check this with your doctor.

Related pages:

• Care or Learning Access and Support Planning (CLASP)
• Children with HIV
• Disabled Children's Service
• Special Educational Needs
  
  

External websites:

• Every Child Matters - services for disabled children
• Disability Rights Commission
• Disability Rights Commission - advice for schools

Information for practitioners:

• “Managing Medicines in Schools and early Years Settings”
• “Including me – managing complex health needs in schools and early years settings”
• "HIV in Schools: good practice guide to supporting children infected or affected by HIV" (Magda Conway – National Children’s Bureau)

Contact us:
Gill Baxby
Tel: 01925 442935
Fax: 01925 443133
Email: esvpast@warrington.gov.uk