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Medical Policy



Medical Policy

LoveSpring Nursery School - Ensuring Health and Wellbeing for All Children

1. Policy Aims

This policy ensures that LoveSpring Nursery School provides comprehensive support for children with medical conditions, enabling full participation in all aspects of nursery life while maintaining their health and safety.

Our Commitment

We aim to ensure that:

  • Children with medical conditions receive appropriate support to access education fully
  • Parents, staff and children understand our medical support procedures
  • All children can participate in nursery activities, including outings and physical play
  • Staff receive suitable training and support to manage medical needs confidently
  • Individual healthcare plans are developed and monitored effectively

Responsible Person: Nursery Manager, LoveSpring Nursery School

2. Legislation and Statutory Framework

2.1 Legal Requirements

This policy complies with:

Legislation Requirements
Children and Families Act 2014 Section 100 - Duty to support pupils with medical conditions
Early Years Foundation Stage Welfare requirements for medication and medical support
Equality Act 2010 Reasonable adjustments for disabled children
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Safe working practices for staff administering medication

2.2 DfE Statutory Guidance

We follow the Department for Education's guidance 'Supporting pupils with medical conditions at school' adapted for early years provision, ensuring we meet all statutory requirements while considering the specific needs of young children.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

3.1 Designated Roles

Role Responsibilities
Nursery Manager Overall responsibility for policy implementation, staff training, IHP development
Designated Medical Lead Day-to-day coordination of medical support, medication administration
All Staff Awareness of medical conditions, emergency procedures, supporting inclusion
Parents/Carers Providing medical information, medication, participating in IHP development

3.2 Staff Responsibilities

All staff must:

  • Complete annual medical awareness training
  • Know which children have medical conditions and understand basic needs
  • Follow emergency procedures when medical incidents occur
  • Maintain confidentiality of medical information
  • Support inclusion of all children in activities
  • Report any concerns about children's health immediately

4. Equal Opportunities and Inclusion

4.1 Inclusive Practice

We are committed to ensuring children with medical conditions can fully participate in all nursery activities through reasonable adjustments and proactive planning.

Activity Inclusion Measures
Outdoor Play Adapted activities, shaded areas, access to water, regular breaks
Group Activities Positioning for participation, alternative roles, peer support
Outings and Trips Detailed risk assessments, medication provision, staff ratios
Physical Activities Adapted equipment, modified expectations, monitoring

4.2 Reasonable Adjustments

We will make appropriate adjustments including:

  • Flexible snack and meal times for dietary needs
  • Access to drinking water throughout the day
  • Rest areas for children who need breaks
  • Adapted toilet arrangements if needed
  • Additional supervision during specific activities

5. Identifying Medical Needs

5.1 Notification Process

Initial Identification Steps

  1. Registration: Parents complete medical information during enrolment
  2. Ongoing Communication: Parents inform us of new or changing conditions
  3. Professional Referral: Health visitors or GPs notify us of significant conditions
  4. Staff Observation: Practitioners identify potential concerns and discuss with parents
  5. Assessment: Determine if Individual Healthcare Plan required
  6. Implementation: Put support arrangements in place within 2 weeks

5.2 Information Requirements

Parents must provide:

  • Details of medical condition and symptoms
  • Medication requirements and administration instructions
  • Emergency contact information
  • GP and specialist contact details
  • Information about triggers and warning signs
  • Consent for emergency treatment if required

6. Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs)

6.1 IHP Development

Stage Process Participants
Assessment Review medical information and support needs Manager, Parents, Healthcare Professional
Planning Develop specific support strategies Manager, Key Person, Parents
Implementation Put plan into practice with all staff All Staff, Parents
Review Regular monitoring and adjustment Manager, Key Person, Parents

6.2 IHP Content

Essential IHP Elements

  • Medical Details: Condition, symptoms, triggers, treatments
  • Daily Support: Medication, dietary needs, activity adjustments
  • Emergency Procedures: Signs of emergency, specific actions, contacts
  • Staff Responsibilities: Named staff, training requirements, cover arrangements
  • Communication: Who needs to know, confidentiality considerations
  • Review Schedule: Regular review dates and triggers for earlier review

7. Medication Management

7.1 Medication Administration

Requirement Procedure Documentation
Prescription Medication Administered by trained staff with parental consent Medicine administration record signed by parent
Over-the-Counter Only with specific parental consent and instructions Consent form detailing dosage and circumstances
Emergency Medication Immediately accessible, staff trained in administration IHP specifies location and emergency procedures
Storage Appropriate storage conditions, secure but accessible Storage risk assessment, temperature monitoring

7.2 Medication Safety

We only accept medications that are:

  • In original packaging with pharmacy label
  • Within expiry date
  • Provided with clear written instructions
  • Supported by parental consent forms
  • Appropriate for the child's age and condition

Aspirin restriction: We do not administer aspirin to children under 16 unless specifically prescribed by a doctor.

8. Emergency Procedures

8.1 Emergency Response

Immediate Action Steps

  1. Assess: Determine seriousness of situation
  2. Act: Follow specific emergency procedures from IHP
  3. Alert: Call 999 if necessary, inform emergency contacts
  4. Accompany: Staff member stays with child until parent arrives
  5. Arrange: Organise hospital transport if needed
  6. Account: Complete incident report and inform management

8.2 Common Emergency Scenarios

Emergency Immediate Response Follow-up Action
Anaphylaxis Administer adrenaline pen, call ambulance Inform parents, complete incident form, review IHP
Asthma Attack Help with inhaler, calm environment, call parents Update medication record, discuss with parents
Seizure Protect from injury, time seizure, call ambulance if prolonged Medical review, parent discussion, staff debrief
Hypoglycaemia Fast-acting sugar, monitor response, call parents Review blood glucose monitoring, adjust care plan

9. Training and Competence

9.1 Training Programme

Training Type Participants Frequency
Basic First Aid All Staff Every 3 years (mandatory)
Medical Awareness All Staff Annually
Specific Condition Training Designated Staff As required for IHPs
Emergency Medication Designated Staff Annually and when new needs arise
New Staff Induction New Staff On appointment

9.2 Competence Assurance

We ensure staff competence through:

  • Healthcare professional confirmation of proficiency
  • Practical assessment of medication administration
  • Regular refresher training and updates
  • Competency records maintained for each staff member
  • Supervision and monitoring of practice

10. Record Keeping and Confidentiality

10.1 Essential Records

Record Type Retention Period Access
Individual Healthcare Plans Until child reaches 25 years old Relevant staff, parents, healthcare professionals
Medicine Administration Until child reaches 25 years old Designated staff, management, parents
Accident/Incident Reports Until child reaches 21 years old Management, relevant staff, parents
Training Records 6 years after staff employment ends Management, staff member, regulators

10.2 Confidentiality

We maintain confidentiality by:

  • Sharing medical information only with staff who need to know
  • Storing records securely with limited access
  • Obtaining parental consent for information sharing
  • Ensuring discussions about medical needs occur privately
  • Following GDPR requirements for sensitive personal data

11. Unacceptable Practices

Prohibited Actions

Staff must never:

  • Prevent children from accessing their medication when needed
  • Assume all children with the same condition need identical support
  • Ignore medical evidence or parental input
  • Send children home routinely for medical reasons not specified in IHPs
  • Penalise children for medical-related absences
  • Prevent children from eating, drinking or toileting when needed
  • Expect parents to attend nursery to administer routine medication
  • Administer medication in toilet areas
  • Delegate medical support to unqualified staff

12. Complaints and Concerns

Resolution Process

  1. Informal Discussion: Parents discuss concerns with key person or manager
  2. Formal Complaint: Written complaint addressed to nursery manager
  3. Investigation: Manager investigates and responds within 10 working days
  4. Review: If unresolved, complaint escalates to governing body
  5. External Referral: Final recourse to Local Authority or Ofsted if needed

We maintain open communication with parents and encourage early discussion of any concerns about medical support.

Contact Information

Medical Policy Lead: Nursery Manager

Designated First Aider: [First Aider's Name]

LoveSpring Nursery School: Coventry, CV1 5HA

Telephone: +44 (0)24 1234 5678

Emergency Contact: Available during nursery hours

Local Health Services: Coventry NHS Trust - 024 7696 4000

Date of Policy: [Current Date]

Last Reviewed: [Current Date]

Next Review Due: [One year from current date]

Signed: _________________________

Position: Nursery Manager/Owner, LoveSpring Nursery School

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