PURPOSE
To explain to parents/carers, students and staff the processes Beaufort Secondary College will follow to safely manage the provision of medication to students while at school or during school activities, including camps and excursions.
SCOPE
This policy applies to the administration of medication to all students. It does not apply to:
POLICY
If a student requires medication, Beaufort Secondary College encourages parents to arrange for the medication to be taken outside of school hours. However, Beaufort Secondary College understands that students may need to take medication at school or during school activities. To support students to do so safely, Beaufort Secondary College will follow the procedures set out in this policy.
Authority to administer
If a student needs to take medication while at school or at a school activity:
Parents/carers can contact the Beaufort Secondary College General Office for a Medication Authority Form.
Administering medication
Any medication brought to school by a student needs to be clearly labelled with:
Parents/carers need to ensure that the medication a student has at school is within its expiry date. If school staff become aware that the medication a student has at school has expired, they will promptly contact the student’s parents/carers who will need to arrange for medication within the expiry date to be provided.
If a student needs to take medication at school or a school activity, the principal (or their nominee) will ensure that:
the student receives their correct medication
in the proper dose
via the correct method (for example, inhaled or orally)
at the correct time of day.
Self-administration
In some cases, it may be appropriate for students to self-administer their medication. The principal may consult with parents/carers and consider advice from the student’s medical/health practitioner to determine whether to allow a student to self-administer their medication.
If the principal decides to allow a student to self-administer their medication, the principal may require written acknowledgement from the student’s medical/health practitioner, or the student’s parents/carers that the student will self-administer their medication.
Storing medication
The principal (or their nominee) will put in place arrangements so that medication is stored:
securely to minimise risk to others
in a place only accessible by staff who are responsible for administering the medication
away from a classroom (unless quick access is required)
away from first aid kits
according to packet instructions, particularly in relation to temperature.
For most students, Beaufort Secondary College will store student medication at the General Office in the strong room.
The principal may decide, in consultation with parents/carers and/or on the advice of a student’s treating medical/health practitioner:
Warning
Beaufort Secondary College will not:
Medication error
If a student takes medication incorrectly, staff will endeavour to:
Step |
Action |
|
If required, follow first aid procedures outlined in the student’s Health Support Plan or other medical management plan. |
|
Ring the Poisons Information Line, 13 11 26 and give details of the incident and the student. |
|
Act immediately upon their advice, such as calling Triple Zero “000” if advised to do so. |
|
Contact the student’s parents/carers or emergency contact person to notify them of the medication error and action taken. |
|
Review medication management procedures at the school in light of the incident. |
In the case of an emergency, school staff may call Triple Zero “000” for an ambulance at any time.
COMMUNICATION
FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
REVIEW CYCLE
Policy last reviewed |
May 2022 |
Approved by |
Principal |
Next scheduled review date |
May 2025 |