Medication, sickness and first aid

Administering medicines, sickness and First Aid

The Purpose of this Policy

This policy outlines the procedures to be followed and the conduct of staff in relation to administering medicines, and First Aid, either on the premises or during an outing. The policy recognises the responsibility of all adults to ensure every child’s safety.

Policy statement

While it is not Sky Little Angels' 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 the 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, 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.

Our staff are responsible for the correct administration of medication to children for whom they are the key person. This includes ensuring that parent consent forms have been completed, that medicines are stored correctly and that records are kept according to procedures. We notify our insurance provider of all required conditions, as laid out in our insurance policy.

Sickness

If a child becomes ill whilst they are attending Sky Little Angels, they will be monitored (taking the child’s temperature on a regular basis) and if it is felt that it is not beneficial for them to continue with us that day, the staff will phone the parent/guardian and inform them of the situation.

Parents must notify us immediately if they are aware that their child has a contagious illness, even if it has yet to be confirmed by a doctor. If a child has such an illness, we will require written, medical confirmation that they are fit to return to the setting.

Children suffering from sickness, diarrhoea, feverish temperature, a continuous cough or the possibility of being infectious must refrain from attending the setting until they are clear from the symptoms for at least 48 hours.

If a child has been sent home from Sky Little Angel due to ill health, they should not be re-admitted until the child is suitably recovered or until the GP says they can return.

First Aid

At all times, at least one member of staff with a current first aid certificate (relevant to young children and infants) is on the premises at Sky Little Angels. At least one suitably qualified member of staff will also accompany all outings. The first aid qualification includes first aid training for infants and young children.

Our first aid kit:

Complies with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.

Is regularly checked by a designated member of staff and re-stocked.

Is easily accessible to adults.

Is kept out of the way of children.

At the time of admission to the setting, parents’/guardians’ written permission for emergency medical advice or treatment is sought. Parents sign and date their written approval.

Procedures

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 another medically qualified person). It must be in-date and prescribed for the current condition.
Non-prescription medication, such as pain or fever relief, for example, Calpol and teething gel, may be administered, but only with the prior written consent of the parent and only when there is a health reason to do so, such as an elevated temperature. All non-prescription medication must be provided with the child’s name clearly on the package. The administering of such medication follows the same procedure as the prescribed medication. NB, We may administer children’s paracetamol (un-prescribed) for children under the age of one year with the verbal consent of the parents in the case of an elevated temperature. This is to prevent febrile convulsion and where a parent or named person is on their way to collect the child.
Children's prescribed medicines are stored in their original containers, are clearly labelled and are inaccessible to the children. On receiving the medication, a member of staff checks 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 the child and date of birth
the name of the medication and its 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 side effects that may be expected
the signature of the parent, their printed name, and the date
The administration of medicine is recorded accurately in our medication record book each time it is given and is signed by the person administering the medication and a witness, usually one other member of staff. 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:
name of the child
name and strength of the medication
name of the doctor that prescribed it
date and time of the dose
the dose is given and the 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).
If the administration of prescribed medication requires medical knowledge, we obtain individual training for the relevant member of staff by a health professional.
[If rectal diazepam is given, another member of staff must be present and co-signs the record book.]
No child may self-administer. When 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.
We monitor the medication record book to look at the frequency of medication given in the setting. For example, a high incidence of antibiotics being prescribed for several children at similar times may indicate a need for better infection control.

Storage of medicines

All medication is stored safely in a locked cupboard or refrigerated as required. Where the cupboard or refrigerator is not used solely for storing medicines, they are kept in a marked plastic box.
The child’s key person is responsible for ensuring medicine is handed back at the end of the day to the parent.
For some conditions, medication may be kept on premises to be administered on a regular or as-and-when-required basis. Key persons 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 risk assessment for each child with a long-term medical condition that requires ongoing medication. Other medical or social care personnel may need to be involved in the risk assessment.
Parents will also contribute to a risk assessment. They should be shown around the setting, understand the routines and activities and point out anything which they think may be a risk factor for their child.
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.
The risk assessment includes vigorous activities and any other activity that may give cause for concern regarding an individual child’s health needs.
The risk assessment includes arrangements for taking medicines on outings and advice is sought from the child’s GP if necessary.
An individual health plan for the child is drawn up with the parent; outlining [the key person’s role and what information must be shared with other adults who care for the child.
The individual health plan should include the measures to be taken in an emergency.
We review the individual health plan every six months, or more frequently if necessary. This includes reviewing the medication, for example, changes to the medication or the dosage, any side effects noted, etc.
Parents receive a copy of the individual health plan and each contributor, including the parent, signs it.

Managing medicines on trips and outings

If children are going on outings, the key person for the child will accompany the children with a risk assessment, another member of staff who is fully informed about the child’s needs and/or medication, or the child’s parent if they are taking part in the outing.
Medication for a child is taken in a sealed plastic box clearly labelled with the child’s name, the original pharmacist’s label, and the name of the medication. Inside the box is a copy of the consent form and a card to record when it has been given, including all the details that need to be recorded in the medication record as stated above. For medication dispensed by a hospital pharmacy, where the child’s details are not on the dispensing label, we will record the circumstances of the event and hospital instructions as relayed by the parents.
On returning to the setting the card is stapled to the medicine record book and the parent signs it.
If a child on medication must be taken to the hospital, the child’s medication is taken in a sealed plastic box 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.
This procedure should be read alongside the outing procedure.

Accident Procedure

All accidents must be recorded in the appropriate book. This is to ensure legal compliance and the appropriate gathering of information needed to inform all relevant persons. Detailed records will be kept of any accidents, which will outline how the accident occurred, any injury sustained, time, treatment, and follow-up process. Parents will be informed via telephone of any accident involving their child. They will have the option to collect their child immediately but will be required to sign the accident book entry when they arrive to collect their child, either then or at the end of the day.

Our accident book:

Is kept safe and accessible.

is known to all staff, including how to complete it

Is reviewed at least every two months to identify any potential or actual hazards.

Where Ofsted is notified of any injury requiring treatment by a GP or hospital, as well as in the extremely unlikely circumstances of the death of a child or adult. Confidentiality will always be adhered to. This is as per a requirement of registration, from the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

(See also 6.3 Recording and Reporting of Accidents and Incidents)

Legal framework

The Human Medicines Regulations (2012)