Safeguarding and Welfare Requirement: Health
Providers must have and implement a policy, and procedures, for administering medicines. It must include systems for obtaining information about a child’s needs for medicines, and for keeping this information up-to-date.
BCC – The Ark Preschool and Daycare
HEALTH
6.1 Administering medicines
Policy statement
While it is not our policy to care for sick children, who should be at home until they are well enough to return to the setting, we will agree to administer medication as part of maintaining their health and well-being or when they are recovering from an illness.
In many cases, it is possible for children’s GPs to prescribe medicine that can be taken at home in the morning and evening. As far as possible, administering medicines will only be done where it would be detrimental to the child’s health if not given in the setting. If a child has not had a medication before, especially a baby/child under two, it is advised that the parent keeps the child at home for the first 48 hours to ensure there are no adverse effects, as well as to give time for the medication to take effect.
These procedures are written in line with guidance in Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings; the manager is responsible for ensuring all staff understand and follow these procedures.
A nominated staff member is responsible for the correct administration of medication to children for who is in on that day. This includes ensuring that parent consent forms have been completed, that medicines are stored correctly and that records are kept according to procedures. The manager or deputy or the Health and safety officer is responsible for the overseeing of administering medication.
Procedures
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Children taking prescribed medication must be well enough to attend the setting.
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Only medication prescribed by a doctor (or other medically qualified person) is administered. It must be in-date and prescribed for the current condition (medicines containing aspirin will only be given if prescribed by a doctor). NB Children’s paracetamol (un-prescribed) is administered for children with the verbal consent of the parents in the case of a high temperature. This is to prevent febrile convulsion and where a parent or named person is on their way to collect the child.
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Children's prescribed medicines are stored in their original containers, are clearly labelled and are inaccessible to the children.
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Parents give prior written permission for the administration of medication. The staff receiving the medication must ask the parent to sign a consent form stating the following information. No medication may be given without these details being provided:
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- the full name of child and date of birth;
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- the name of medication and strength;
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-who prescribed it;
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- the dosage to be given in the setting;
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- how the medication should be stored and its expiry date;
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- any possible side effects that may be expected; and
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- the signature of the parent, their printed name and the date.
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The administration of medicine is recorded accurately in our medication record book each time it is given and is signed by the key person/manager. Parents are shown the record at the end of the day and asked to sign the record book to acknowledge the administration of the medicine. The medication record book records the:
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name of the child;
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name and strength of the medication;
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date, time and dose given;
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signature of the key person/manager; and witness.
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parent’s signature.
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We use the Pre-school Learning Alliance’s Medication Record book for recording the administration of medicine and comply with the detailed procedures set out in that publication.
Storage of medicines
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All medication is stored safely in a locked cupboard (next to the kitchen hatch) or refrigerated as required. Where the cupboard or refrigerator is not used solely for storing medicines, they are kept in a marked plastic box.
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The staff present on that day are responsible for ensuring medicine is handed back at the end of the day to the parent.
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For some conditions, medication may be kept in the setting to be administered on a regular or as-and-when- required basis. The Health and safety officer checks that any medication held in the setting, is in date and return any out-of-date medication back to the parent.
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If the administration of prescribed medication requires medical knowledge, individual training is provided for the relevant member of staff by a health professional, eg Epi-Pens.
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If rectal diazepam is given, another member of staff must be present and co-signs the record book.
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No child may self-administer. Where children are capable of understanding when they need medication, for example with asthma, they should be encouraged to tell their key person what they need. However, this does not replace staff vigilance in knowing and responding when a child requires medication.
Children who have long term medical conditions and who may require ongoing medication
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A risk assessment is carried out for each child with long term medical conditions that require ongoing medication. This is the responsibility of the manager alongside the key person. Other medical or social care personnel may need to be involved in the risk assessment.
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Parents will also contribute to a risk assessment, by pointing out anything which they think may be a risk factor for their child.
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For some medical conditions, key staff will need to have training in a basic understanding of the condition, as well as how the medication is to be administered correctly. The training needs for staff form part of the risk assessment.
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The risk assessment includes arrangements for taking medicines on outings and advice is sought from the child’s GP if necessary where there are concerns about vigorous activities and other activities which may impact the child’s health.
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A health care plan for the child is drawn up with the parent; outlining the key person’s role and what information must be shared with other staff who care for the child, and procedures in an emergency.
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The health care plan is reviewed every six months, or more frequently if necessary. This includes reviewing the medication, e.g. changes to the medication or the dosage, any side effects noted etc.
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Parents receive a copy of the health care plan and each contributor, including the parent, signs it.
Managing medicines on trips and outings
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If children are going on outings, staff accompanying the children must include the key person for the child with a risk assessment, or another member of staff who is fully informed about the child’s needs and/or medication.
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Medication for a child is taken in a sealed plastic box/bag clearly labelled with the child’s name and the name of the medication. Inside the box/bag is a copy of the details that need to be recorded in the medication record as stated above when returning to preschool.
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On returning to the setting the medicine record book is signed and the parent signs it when collecting their child.
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If a child on medication has to be taken to hospital, the child’s medication is taken in a sealed plastic box/bag clearly labelled with the child’s name and the name of the medication. Inside the box is a copy of the consent form signed by the parent.
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As a precaution, children should not eat when travelling in vehicles.
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This procedure is read alongside the outings procedure.
Legal framework
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The Human Medicines Regulations (2012)
Further guidance
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Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings (DfES 2015)
This policy was adopted at a meeting of
BCC – The Ark Preschool & Daycare
Held on April 2024
Date to be reviewed April 2025
Signed on behalf of the provider
Name of signatory Arzu Subasi
Role of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) Manager
Other useful Pre-school Learning Alliance publications
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Medication Administration Record (2017)
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Parental Agreement for Provider to Administer Medicines form
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Health Care Plan form
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Ambulance Request form
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Daily Register and Outings Record (2018)