At Clifton, we take the health and medical needs of our children extremely seriously. We want parents and carers to feel confident that, where a child has a medical condition, we will work closely with families and relevant healthcare professionals to understand their needs and ensure appropriate support is in place.

Our staff have experience of supporting children with a range of medical conditions, including asthma, food allergies and anaphylaxis, and diabetes. Where a child has an ongoing medical need, we work in partnership with parents and healthcare professionals to put appropriate plans, procedures and staff training in place.

We recognise that every child's needs are different. Clear communication between home and school is therefore essential, and we ask parents and carers to keep us informed of any medical condition, change in treatment or medication that may affect their child during the school day.

First Aid

It is very normal for children to experience minor bumps, scrapes and injuries during the school day. We have trained first aiders across the school, and children are given appropriate first aid and care when they need it.

If your child receives first aid, the incident will be recorded on our medical system. Parents and carers will be informed where appropriate, with the method of contact depending on the nature and severity of the injury. For more significant injuries or where we feel you need to be made aware promptly, we will contact you by telephone.

It is essential that we have up-to-date contact details for parents and carers, as well as an additional emergency contact. Please inform the school office as soon as possible if any of your contact details change.

Asthma

If your child has been prescribed an inhaler, including a temporary inhaler for a short-term condition, we ask that two inhalers are provided to school and remain in school at all times. Please ensure that inhalers are in date and replaced when necessary.

Parents and carers should also provide the school with an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan, completed with your child's GP or asthma nurse. This helps us understand your child's individual needs, including their usual treatment, triggers and what action should be taken if their asthma symptoms worsen. Please provide an updated plan whenever your child's treatment or needs change.

We also ask parents and carers of children with asthma to complete an Emergency Inhaler consent form. This allows your child to use the school's emergency inhaler if their own inhaler is unavailable or cannot be accessed quickly. Emergency inhalers are kept at designated locations across the school and are also taken on school trips.

As children grow, it is important that they develop the confidence to use their inhaler correctly and, where appropriate, independently. Parents and carers should ensure that children attend their regular asthma reviews with their GP or asthma nurse and keep the school informed of any changes to their child's asthma or treatment.

Useful websites for Asthmatics are:

• NHS Allergy Advice
• Asthma Charity Advice
• Top 3 Ways to Manage your Asthma

Allergies and Anaphylaxis

Children can have allergies to a range of foods and other substances. Reactions can vary from mild symptoms, such as itching or a rash, to a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) which can affect breathing and requires urgent medical treatment.

If you think your child may have an allergy, please seek advice from your GP or another healthcare professional and inform the school. If your child is diagnosed with an allergy, it is important that you provide us with full and up-to-date information so that appropriate support can be put in place.

Where required, we will work with parents, carers and healthcare professionals to develop an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP). This sets out your child's individual needs, known allergens, symptoms to look out for, medication and the action staff should take in the event of an allergic reaction.

If your child has a food allergy or medically required special diet, parents and carers will also need to complete the appropriate dietary form for our school catering provider. This enables the catering team to assess your child's dietary requirements and ensure that suitable and safe school meal arrangements are in place. Please ensure that both the school and catering provider are informed if your child's dietary needs change.

If your child has been prescribed medication for their allergy, the appropriate medication must also be provided for use in school. If your child has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI), such as an EpiPen, we require two in-date auto-injectors to be kept in school at all times.

We also ask parents and carers of children prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector to complete an Emergency Adrenaline Auto-Injector consent form. This allows the school's emergency device to be used, where appropriate, if your child's own device is unavailable or cannot be accessed quickly.

Please inform us immediately of any changes to your child's allergy, medication or treatment plan so that their Individual Healthcare Plan and our arrangements can be kept up to date.

Useful websites for Allergy Advice are:

• NHS Allergy Advice
• Allergy Charity Advice

Diabetes

At Clifton, we have experience of supporting children with diabetes and understand that each child's needs and treatment can be different. We work closely with parents and carers, the child's diabetes healthcare team and other relevant professionals to ensure that children are supported safely and can participate fully in school life.

Children with diabetes will have an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) which sets out their individual needs and the support required in school. This may include blood glucose monitoring, insulin administration, food and carbohydrate management, recognising and responding to high or low blood glucose levels, and arrangements for physical activity, school trips and other activities.

Relevant staff receive appropriate information and training so that they understand the child's needs and know how to respond in an emergency. Parents and carers should keep the school informed of any changes to their child's treatment, medication or diabetes management plan.

Vomiting and Diarrhoea

If your child has vomiting and/or diarrhoea, they should remain at home until 48 hours after their last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.

This helps to reduce the spread of infection and protects other children and staff within the school. Please do not send your child back to school before the full 48-hour period has passed, even if they are feeling better.

Chickenpox

If your child has chickenpox, they should remain at home until all of the spots have formed a scab. This is usually around 5 days after the spots first appeared, although it can take longer for some children.

Chickenpox is highly infectious, so children should not return to school while they still have spots that have not crusted over. Please let the school know if your child has chickenpox, as it can pose a particular risk to some vulnerable children, staff or pregnant women.

Further Information

Full information about how we support children with medical conditions, including Individual Healthcare Plans, medication in school, emergency procedures and staff responsibilities, can be found in our Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions Policy and Allergy Policy.