RATIONALE                                                                                                                  

Many students attending school need medication to control a health condition.  It is necessary that Bellarine Secondary College staff (as part of their duty of care) assist students, where appropriate to take their medication.  The College will ensure the student’s privacy and confidentiality and will exercise sensitivity towards this issue to avoid any stigmatization

PURPOSE

• To ensure the College supports students and families in the administration of medication
• To ensure College staff do not contravene any regulations regarding the provision of medication
• To clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of students, parents, guardians and College staff in the administration of medication

POLICY STATEMENT

• Bellarine Secondary College supports all students with regard to any medical condition or illness
• Medication will only be administered with explicit written permission from parent/guardian/approved person, or in the case of an emergency, with permission of a medical practitioner.
• Bellarine Secondary College ensures processes are in place to administer medication to students during all school days including on campus, on excursions, on camps and on trips.
• Parents and guardians are responsible for providing management plans related to specific conditions or illnesses eg. Asthma, diabetes, anaphylaxis
• Bellarine Secondary College will ensure all relevant staff are aware of and capable of implementing any specific illness or condition management plans including the administration of any associated medications

IMPLEMENTATION

• Bellarine Secondary College First Aid officers based in the General Office of each campus will be responsible for the support of unwell students and the administration of medication
• Medication will be administered to students only when parents or guardians have provided explicit written details including the name of the medication, the dosage, the method of administration (oral or inhaled) and the time of the dose.
• Medication to be administered to students attending camps, trips or excursions will be provided to the teacher in charge. The teacher in charge will administer required medications only when provided with explicit written instruction from parents or guardians including the name of the medication, the dosage, the method of administration (oral or inhaled) and the time of dose
• Students will be provided with the medication and water as requited. College staff will observe and record the administration of medication.
• College staff cannot ensure that students swallow or ingest the provided medication. They are not permitted to inspect a student’s mouth to ensure it is swallowed.
• The provision of analgesics such as aspirin and paracetamol is prohibited unless explicit permission is provided by parents
• The College First Aid Officers will record all administered medication in the BSC Medication Register. This will include the student name, medication name, dose, the date, time of dose and the signature of the administering staff member.
• The Principal, or her delegate in consultation with the parents or guardians, will consider the age and circumstances of students when deciding if a student should be permitted to carry and administer his/her own medication

REFERENCES

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/governance/referenceguide/enviro/4_5.htm

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/healthwellbeing/health/anaphylaxisschools.htm

http://www.asthma.org.au/Default.aspx?tabid=102

EVALUATION

This policy will be reviewed every three years or more frequently if necessary due to changes in regulations or circumstances.

Policy number	2.1.8
Approval date	September 2014
Review date	September 2017
DET/VRQA required	Yes