Health, Medical Needs & Personal Care

At Riverside Bridge School, we are committed to ensuring that pupils with medical needs are fully supported to access learning, participate in school life and achieve their potential.

Many of our pupils have complex health needs that require careful planning, coordination and support. These may include long-term medical conditions, allergies, epilepsy, asthma, diabetes, feeding needs, mobility difficulties and other health-related needs.

We work closely with families, healthcare professionals and external agencies to ensure that medical support is safe, effective and tailored to each pupil's individual needs.

A personalised approach

Every pupil's medical needs are different.

Where a pupil requires ongoing medical support, we work with families and healthcare professionals to develop an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP). These plans provide clear guidance for staff and ensure that appropriate support is available throughout the school day.

Healthcare plans may include information about:

• medical conditions and diagnoses
• medication requirements
• emergency procedures
• feeding and nutritional needs
• mobility or physical support requirements
• signs, symptoms and triggers
• specialist equipment or interventions

Plans are reviewed regularly to ensure that they remain accurate and responsive to changing needs.

Supporting pupils in school

Our aim is to enable pupils with medical needs to participate fully in school life.

Reasonable adjustments are made where required to ensure that pupils can access learning, educational visits, enrichment activities and wider school experiences safely and successfully.

Staff work closely with families and health professionals to understand individual needs and implement appropriate support strategies throughout the day.

Where specialist advice is required, we seek guidance from relevant professionals to ensure that provision remains effective and up to date.

Staff training and competence

Supporting pupils with medical needs requires knowledgeable and confident staff.

Training is provided to ensure that staff understand specific medical conditions and can respond appropriately to pupils' needs. This may include training in areas such as:

• epilepsy management
• allergy awareness and anaphylaxis
• asthma support
• feeding procedures
• moving and handling
• emergency medical responses
• use of specialist equipment

Training is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that staff remain confident and competent in delivering support.

Working with health professionals

Partnership working is essential to effective healthcare support.

We work closely with a range of professionals, including:

• school nursing services
• community paediatricians
• specialist nurses
• therapists
• dietitians
• hospital teams
• other healthcare professionals

This collaborative approach helps ensure that pupils receive consistent support and that school staff have access to specialist advice when required.

Educational visits and activities

Medical needs should not prevent pupils from accessing meaningful experiences.

When planning educational visits, residential experiences and off-site activities, individual medical needs are carefully considered. Risk assessments and support arrangements are put in place where necessary to ensure that pupils can participate safely and confidently.

Our aim is to provide equitable access to opportunities while maintaining appropriate levels of support and safety.

Emergency procedures

The school has clear procedures in place for responding to medical emergencies.

Relevant staff are trained in emergency responses and have access to information regarding pupils who may require urgent medical intervention.

Where emergency medication is required, arrangements are established through individual healthcare plans to ensure that support can be provided quickly and effectively.

Families are informed promptly of any significant medical incidents that occur during the school day.

Working with families

Families play a vital role in supporting pupils' medical needs.

We rely on parents and carers to provide accurate and up-to-date information about their child's health, medication and medical requirements. Open communication helps ensure that support remains safe, effective and responsive.

Where changes occur, families are encouraged to inform the school as soon as possible so that healthcare plans and support arrangements can be updated accordingly.

Through effective healthcare support, pupils are able to attend school safely, participate fully in learning and engage confidently in school life.

By working in partnership with families and health professionals, we help remove barriers created by medical needs and ensure that pupils receive the care and support they require throughout the school day.

At Riverside Bridge School, our aim is to ensure that every pupil feels safe, supported and able to thrive, regardless of their medical needs.

At Riverside Bridge School, we recognise that many pupils require medication to support their health, wellbeing and access to learning.

We are committed to ensuring that medication is managed safely, effectively and in accordance with medical guidance. Clear procedures help us support pupils' health needs while maintaining their safety, dignity and wellbeing throughout the school day.

Our approach is guided by our Medication Policy and national guidance relating to supporting pupils with medical conditions in schools.

Supporting pupils who require medication

Some pupils require medication during the school day to manage ongoing medical conditions or specific health needs.

Where medication is required, we work closely with families and healthcare professionals to ensure that arrangements are clear, safe and appropriate.

Information about medication is recorded within a pupil's healthcare plan or medical records and shared with relevant staff where necessary.

This ensures that pupils receive the support they need while minimising disruption to their learning and daily routines.

Providing medication

Medication can only be administered in school when written parental consent has been provided.

Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring that:

• medication is provided in its original packaging
• prescription labels are clear and legible
• medication is in date
• dosage instructions are accurate
• the school is informed of any changes to medication or treatment

Where medication is prescribed more than three times a day, families should discuss arrangements with the school to determine whether administration during school hours is required.

Safe Storage of medication

All medication is stored securely and in accordance with medical guidance.

Storage arrangements may include:

• secure medication cabinets
• locked storage areas
• refrigerated storage where required
• readily accessible emergency medication

Access to medication is restricted to authorised and appropriately trained staff.

Regular checks are carried out to ensure medication remains in date and stored correctly.

Administration of medication

Medication is administered by trained members of staff following agreed procedures.

A record is kept of all medication administered, including:

• the name of the medication
• dosage given
• time administered
• name of the staff member administering the medication

This provides a clear and accurate record and helps ensure safe practice at all times.

Emergency medication

Some pupils require emergency medication to manage serious medical conditions.

This may include medication for:

• severe allergies and anaphylaxis
• epilepsy and seizure management
• asthma
• other emergency medical needs

Appropriate staff receive specific training where required, and clear emergency procedures are outlined within healthcare plans.

Emergency medication is stored in a way that allows rapid access when needed.

Educational visits and off-site activities

Pupils who require medication are supported to participate in educational visits, residential experiences and community activities wherever possible.

Medication and healthcare arrangements are carefully planned as part of the visit risk assessment process to ensure that pupils can participate safely and confidently.

Our aim is to ensure that medical needs do not create unnecessary barriers to participation.

Working with families

Partnership with families is essential to ensuring safe medication procedures.

Parents and carers are asked to keep the school informed of any changes to medication, treatment plans or medical conditions and to provide replacement medication before expiry dates.

By working together, we can ensure that pupils receive the support they need while maintaining high standards of safety and care.

Effective medication management helps pupils remain healthy, comfortable and ready to learn.

By following robust procedures and working closely with families and healthcare professionals, we ensure that medication is administered safely and consistently, enabling pupils to participate fully in school life.

At Riverside Bridge School, supporting pupils' medical needs is an important part of our commitment to safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusion.

At Riverside Bridge School, we recognise that some pupils require support with personal and intimate care as part of their daily routine.

We are committed to ensuring that this support is delivered safely, respectfully and sensitively, promoting each pupil's dignity, wellbeing and independence. Personal care is viewed as an important part of supporting pupils to access learning, participate fully in school life and develop the skills they need for adulthood.

Every pupil has the right to be treated with respect, privacy and dignity at all times.

A person-centred approach

Personal care arrangements are tailored to each pupil's individual needs.

We recognise that pupils develop at different rates and may require varying levels of support depending on their age, development, medical needs, physical needs or communication abilities.

Where personal or intimate care is required, support is planned in partnership with families and, where appropriate, healthcare professionals. This ensures that routines are consistent, safe and responsive to the individual needs of the pupil.

Promoting independence

A key aim of our approach is to help pupils develop increasing independence wherever possible.

Staff encourage pupils to participate actively in their own personal care and self-care routines, providing support only at the level required.

This may include developing skills such as:

• toileting and hygiene
• handwashing and personal cleanliness
• dressing and undressing
• managing personal belongings
• recognising and communicating personal care needs

By promoting independence gradually and consistently, pupils build confidence and develop important life skills that support preparation for adulthood.

Personal Care Plans

Where a pupil requires regular personal or intimate care, an individual Personal Care Plan may be developed.

These plans provide clear guidance for staff and ensure that support is delivered consistently and appropriately. They may include information about:

• personal care routines
• levels of support required
• communication needs
• moving and handling arrangements
• medical considerations
• strategies that promote independence

Plans are reviewed regularly in partnership with families to ensure that they continue to reflect the pupil's needs.

Dignity, privacy and respect

Maintaining dignity is central to all aspects of personal care.

Staff are trained to ensure that care is delivered in a way that protects pupils' privacy and promotes self-esteem. Personal care is always provided discreetly and sensitively, using appropriate facilities and following agreed procedures.

Pupils are supported to understand personal boundaries, privacy and appropriate care routines in ways that are meaningful and accessible to them.

We aim to ensure that pupils feel safe, comfortable and respected throughout every aspect of their care.

Safeguarding and personal care

Personal and intimate care is closely linked to safeguarding.

All staff follow clear procedures designed to protect both pupils and staff. Personal care is provided by appropriately trained members of staff and is carried out in accordance with school policies and safeguarding guidance.

Records are maintained where appropriate, and any concerns relating to a pupil's welfare are managed in line with safeguarding procedures.

This ensures that personal care remains safe, transparent and accountable.

Working with families

Strong communication with families is essential.

Parents and carers are involved in planning personal care arrangements and are encouraged to share information that helps staff understand their child's needs, preferences and routines.

By working together, we can provide consistent support across home and school and ensure that pupils receive the highest standard of care.

Through sensitive and well-planned personal care support, pupils are able to access school comfortably, confidently and with dignity.

They develop important self-care and independence skills, feel secure in their environment and are supported to participate fully in learning and daily life.

At Riverside Bridge School, personal and intimate care is more than meeting physical needs. It is about promoting dignity, building independence and ensuring that every pupil feels respected, valued and supported to thrive.