HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL
Policy on Pupil Illness.


The Holy Family School has a duty of care to all its staff and pupils.  In order to maintain a healthy environment this policy provides guidance for staff and parents as to when pupils should or should not be in school if showing signs of illness.
This policy aims to set out procedures to be followed when children are unwell, to ensure that they are cared for and that where the cause is of an infectious nature others are not exposed needlessly.
In issues of the pupils health the school works closely with the 2 nurses on the staff to enable staff and parents to be clear about the responsibilities and procedures when children are unwell.
Parents are asked not to send their child into school if any of the following apply:
  • The child has symptoms of an infectious illness (listed in the attached sheet).
  • The child does not feel well enough to participate in curriculum activities.
  • The child requires more care than the class teacher is able to provide without affecting the health and safety of the other pupils.
  • If antibiotics are prescribed for a contagious illness or infection the child should not attend school until 24 hours after the treatment has begun and must be showing signs of improvement.
  • If the child comes into school unwell or gets sick during the day their condition will be assessed by the nurses and if they are not well enough to stay in school or travel home on the school transport the parents, guardians or emergency contacts will be notified and asked to take the child home and the child is to remain at home until symptom free.
  • If a child becomes seriously ill and the parents/guardians or emergency contacts cannot be reached an ambulance will be called and a staff member will accompany the child to hospital and remain with the child until parents/guardians or contact person arrives.
 
Returning to school:
A pupil who has an infectious illness, such as diarrhoea, heavy cold, vomiting should remain at home until they are no longer infectious.  The nature of the illness and the treatment will dictate how long the child should remain out of school (see list).  For some infectious diseases, the school may require a doctor’s “fitness to return” note before the child can return to school.
Administration of Medication.
 Medication is administered by the nurses on the staff if they are available but otherwise the staff in the school administer the medication.
Every year parents are asked to fill out a medication administration form which has to be signed by the child’s GP.
Any medication including( antibiotics, Calpol, Neurofen) which the child might need during the school year must be prescribed by the child’s GP.
At the beginning all new school staff are shown how to administer emergency epilepsy medication for those pupils in their class that need it.
If a child needs this medication the teacher/nurse will contact the parent/guardian to discuss the situation and the medication is then given.  If a parent/guardian cannot be contacted the medication is given and if contact has not been made the nurse/teacher writes an account in the communication book.
Administration of infrequent medication.
Responsibility of parents/guardians
If a child needs an antibiotic or requires an ‘over the counter’ medication during the school day parents are asked to do the following:
  • Ensure the medicine is in its original container, is clearly named and dated and has clear instructions about administration.  If the medication is prescribed by the GP the prescription should be enclosed.
  • Ask the bus escort or relevant care staff to pass the medication to the teacher in the morning and to bring it back in the afternoon.
  • Inform the teacher about the medication in the communication book, in an enclosed letter or by phone.
 
 
 
Responsibility of the school.
  • When the teacher has been given the medication he/she takes it to the nurses’ office where the medication is stored and arrangements are made for the appropriate time for the child to get the medication.  At the end of the day the medication is returned to the bus escort or relevant care staff.
Administration of Regular Medication.
If a child requires medication on a regular or ongoing basis, parents/guardians must inform the school Principal.  The nurses make contact with the parents regarding the administration of the  medication.  The parents/guardians must provide the school with:
  • A current medical prescription.
  • Medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy label in tact.
  • Written permission for the medication to be given to the child.
The nurse will plan along with the class teacher the time and place for administering the medication.  The nurse will record in the child’s Personal Care Plan all the medication given.

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   February 2020