Notifying about Medical Conditions

Upon entry to St Joseph's, it is very important that the school is made fully aware of any medical condition which your child may have and that this information is kept up to date.  You will indicate all medical conditions on the relevant admissions paperwork.  School will then contact parents where a follow up meeting is required in order to get fuller information about the child's condition and its management.  We will then create a care plan for your child. This will ensure the information is passed on each year to the relevant staff, so that your child's condition is always well managed. If there are any changes to your child's medical condition you must inform the school immediately so that any care plans can be updated.

The school will ensure its best endeavour to provide for all medical conditions in order to allow the child’s schooling to be as uninterrupted as possible.  We are happy to work with healthcare professionals, as well as parents, in order to meet the needs of the child.

Administering Medication during the School Day

It is the school’s policy to only administer prescribed medication, which must be in the original container dispensed by the pharmacy. It must have your child’s name on the label.  You will be required to complete Request to Administer Medication forms.  Medicines should be given to the office staff at the start of the school day. Under no circumstances should pupils bring any over the counter treatments to school nor should they have medication in their bag or on their person, because of the danger posed if another child were to accidentally take that medication.  Please see below the form you will need to complete should you ask us to administer medicines.

Managing Common illnesses

When your child has had diarrhoea or has been vomiting, they need to have had 48 hours problem free before returning to school, in order to ensure they are completely well.

If your child has an infectious illness such as chicken pox they need to stay off school for the recommended time. For common ailments, the school office can give you advice on the recommended time to return; in other cases you should seek the advice of your GP.

First Aid

There are several school staff members trained in First Aid who will tend to minor injuries and upsets.  If your child becomes unwell or has a significant injury at school, we will contact you to discuss options.  In many cases, this will result in the child being collected to recover at home.   Major accidents are recorded and parents contacted as soon as possible.  If we are unable to contact a parent, we will contact others on your emergency contacts list.  In an emergency, where a contact cannot be reached, a member of staff will accompany the child to hospital and remain with them until the parent/ contact arrives.