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Supervised medication

Education staff may be required to administer medication or supervise a pupil taking it.

There is no legal requirement for teachers or non-teaching staff to administer medication but they are required to ensure the health and safety of all pupils in their care.

School staff cannot be required to administer medicines but where they have agreed to do so only they should be responsible for this to avoid the risk of double dosing.

If a pupil needs medicine it is essential they have written permission and instructions from their parent, guardian or GP.

This should specify the medication involved, circumstances under which it should be administered and the frequency and levels of dosage.

Parents and guardians should hand over medicines to the appropriate member of staff so they may be stored safely.

The medicine should be clearly labelled with the child's name and dosage instructions and should only be given to the named child.

In case of asthma and other breathing disorders, if a parent or guardian considers their child capable and responsible then they should look after their own inhaler.

Otherwise it should be kept somewhere safe where the child can have immediate access to it.

The administration of any drugs should also be routinely entered into the school's drug record book.

For further information contact the appropriate school for details.

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