Administering Medicines Policy
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. We ensure that where medicines are necessary to maintain health of the child, they are given correctly and in accordance with legal requirements.
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, 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.
Staff are responsible for the correct administration of medication to children. This includes ensuring that parent consent forms have been completed, that medicines are stored correctly and that records are kept according to procedures. We will notify our insurance provider of all required conditions laid out in our insurance policy.
Children taking prescribed medication must be well enough to attend the setting.
We only usually administer medication when it has been prescribed for a child by a doctor (or other medically qualified person). It must be in-date named and prescribed for the current condition.
Non-prescription medication, such as pain or fever relief (e.g. Calpol) and teething gel, may be administered, but only with prior written consent of the parent and only when there is a health reason to do so, such as a high temperature or tooth pain etc. Medication will not be administered if the child is unwell, parents will be asked to take the child home. Children under the age of 16 years are never given medicines containing aspirin unless prescribed specifically for that child by a doctor. The administering of un-prescribed medication is recorded in the same way as any other medication.
Children's prescribed medicines are stored in their original containers, are clearly labelled and are inaccessible to the children. On receiving the medication, staff check that it is in date and prescribed specifically for the current condition.
Parents must give prior written permission for the administration of medication. The staff member receiving the medication will ask the parent to sign a consent form stating the following information. No medication may be given without these details being provided:
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 and adult what they need. However, this does not replace staff vigilance in knowing and responding when a child requires medication.
Storage of medicines
All medication is stored safely in a locked first aid box or refrigerated as required. Staff are responsible for ensuring medicine is handed back at the end of the day to the parent.
For some conditions, medication may be kept in the setting to be administered on a regular or as-and-when- required basis. Staff check that any medication held in the setting, is in date and return any out-of-date medication back to the parent.
Children who have long term medical conditions and who may require ongoing medication
We carry out a Health care plan for each child with a long-term medical condition that requires on-going medication. Other medical or social care personnel may need to be involved in the plan.
For some medical conditions, key members of 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 health plan will include the measures to be taken in an emergency.
If children are going on outings staff members will be fully informed about the child’s needs and/or medication.
Medication for a child is taken separately it is clearly labelled with the child’s name, the original pharmacist’s label and the name of the medication.
If a child on medication has to be taken to hospital, the child’s medication is taken in a sealed envelope clearly labelled with the child’s name and the name of the medication. Inside the envelope is a copy of the consent form/Health Care Plan signed by the parent.
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, 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.
Staff are responsible for the correct administration of medication to children. This includes ensuring that parent consent forms have been completed, that medicines are stored correctly and that records are kept according to procedures. We will notify our insurance provider of all required conditions laid out in our insurance policy.
Children taking prescribed medication must be well enough to attend the setting.
We only usually administer medication when it has been prescribed for a child by a doctor (or other medically qualified person). It must be in-date named and prescribed for the current condition.
Non-prescription medication, such as pain or fever relief (e.g. Calpol) and teething gel, may be administered, but only with prior written consent of the parent and only when there is a health reason to do so, such as a high temperature or tooth pain etc. Medication will not be administered if the child is unwell, parents will be asked to take the child home. Children under the age of 16 years are never given medicines containing aspirin unless prescribed specifically for that child by a doctor. The administering of un-prescribed medication is recorded in the same way as any other medication.
Children's prescribed medicines are stored in their original containers, are clearly labelled and are inaccessible to the children. On receiving the medication, staff check that it is in date and prescribed specifically for the current condition.
Parents must give prior written permission for the administration of medication. The staff member receiving the medication will ask the parent to sign a consent form stating the following information. No medication may be given without these details being provided:
- the full name of child and date of birth
- the name of medication and strength
- who prescribed it
- the dosage and times to be given in the setting
- the method of administration
- how the medication should be stored and its expiry date
- any possible side effects that may be expected
- the signature of the parent, their printed name and the date
- name of the child
- name and strength of the medication
- name of the doctor that prescribed it
- date and time of the dose
- dose given and method
- signature of the person administering the medication and a witness who verifies that the medication has been given correctly
- parent’s signature (at the end of the day).
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 and adult what they need. However, this does not replace staff vigilance in knowing and responding when a child requires medication.
Storage of medicines
All medication is stored safely in a locked first aid box or refrigerated as required. Staff are responsible for ensuring medicine is handed back at the end of the day to the parent.
For some conditions, medication may be kept in the setting to be administered on a regular or as-and-when- required basis. Staff check that any medication held in the setting, is in date and return any out-of-date medication back to the parent.
Children who have long term medical conditions and who may require ongoing medication
We carry out a Health care plan for each child with a long-term medical condition that requires on-going medication. Other medical or social care personnel may need to be involved in the plan.
For some medical conditions, key members of 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 health plan will include the measures to be taken in an emergency.
- We review the individual health plan annually, or more frequently if necessary. This includes reviewing the medication, e.g. changes to the medication or the dosage, any side effects noted etc.
If children are going on outings staff members will be fully informed about the child’s needs and/or medication.
Medication for a child is taken separately it is clearly labelled with the child’s name, the original pharmacist’s label and the name of the medication.
If a child on medication has to be taken to hospital, the child’s medication is taken in a sealed envelope clearly labelled with the child’s name and the name of the medication. Inside the envelope is a copy of the consent form/Health Care Plan signed by the parent.