ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION POLICY 

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION POLICY 2026-2029

Help for non-English speakers 

If you need help to understand this policy, please contact Glenroy College on 9304 0400 

Purpose 

To explain to parents/carers, students and staff the processes Glenroy College will follow to safely manage the provision of medication to students while at school or school activities, including camps and excursions. 

Scope 

This policy applies to the administration of medication to all students. It does not apply to: 

• the provision of medication for anaphylaxis which is provided for in our school’s Anaphylaxis Policy 

• the provision of medication for asthma which is provided for in our school’s Asthma Policy 

• specialised procedures which may be required for complex medical care needs. 

Policy 

If a student requires medication, Glenroy College encourages parents to arrange for the medication to be taken outside of school hours. However, Glenroy College understands that students may need to take medication at school or school activities. To support students to do so safely, Glenroy College will follow the procedures set out in this policy. 

Authority to administer medication 

If a student needs to take medication while at school or at a school activity: 

• Parents/carers are responsible for ensuring written advice is given to the school which details: 

• the name of the medication required 

• the dosage amount 

• the time the medication is to be taken 

• how the medication is to be taken 

• the dates the medication is required, or whether it is an ongoing medication 

• how the medication should be stored. 

• Parents/carers must arrange for written advice to be provided in a Medication Authority Form except for: 

• general first aid medication 

• asthma medication – covered in the Asthma Action Plan 

• anaphylaxis medication – covered in the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis 

• epilepsy emergency medication – covered in the Epilepsy Emergency Medication Plan. 

If a medication is prescribed, or given every day, parents/carers must provide written evidence from the student’s medical/health practitioner that it is needed. Acceptable written evidence includes:  

• the Medication Authority Form signed by the prescribing health practitioner; or   

• prescribed and dispensed medication in its original container or packaging with a current and original label (pharmacy label) that is stored at school; or  

• original label (pharmacy label) directly sighted and photocopied by school staff; or 

• a signed letter from the prescribing health practitioner (for example, GP or specialist letter or hospital discharge letter); or 

• a completed and signed action or management plan from the prescribing health practitioner. 

If advice cannot be provided by a student’s medical/health practitioner, the Principal (or their nominee) may agree that written authority can be provided by, or the Medication Authority Form can be completed by a student’s parents/carers. 

• The Principal may need to consult with parents/carers to clarify written advice and consider student’s individual preferences regarding medication administration (which may also be provided for in a student’s Student Health Support Plan). 

Parents/carers can contact the general office for a Medication Authority Form. 

Administering medication 

Any medication brought to school by a student needs to be clearly labelled with: 

• the student’s name 

• the dosage required 

• the time the medication needs to be administered. 

Parents/carers need to ensure that the medication a student has at school is within its expiry date. If school staff become aware that the medication a student has at school has expired, they will promptly contact the student’s parents/carers who will need to arrange for medication within the expiry date to be provided. 

If a student needs to take medication at school or a school activity, the Principal (or their nominee) will ensure that: 

Medication is administered to the student in accordance with the Medication Authority Form so that:  

1. the student receives their correct medication 

   1. in the proper dose 

   2. via the correct method (for example, inhaled or orally) 

   3. at the correct time

2. A log is kept of medicine administered to a student. 

3. Where possible, two staff members will supervise the administration of medication. 

4. The teacher in charge of a student at the time their medication is required: 

   1. is informed that the student needs to receive their medication 

   2. if necessary, releases the student from class to obtain their medication. 

       

Self-administration 

In some cases it may be appropriate for students to self-administer their medication. The Principal may consult with parents/carers and consider advice from the student’s medical/health practitioner to determine whether to allow a student to self-administer their medication. 

If the Principal decides to allow a student to self-administer their medication, the Principal may require written acknowledgement from the student’s medical/health practitioner, or the student’s parents/carers that the student will self-administer their medication. This should preferably be documented in or attached to the Medication Authority Form. Note: 

• this is not required for students with asthma or anaphylaxis as this is covered under the student’s ASCIA Action Plan or Asthma Action Plan.  

• Glenroy College will not permit a student to carry or self-administer a controlled medication or benzodiazepine at school, such as dexamphetamine or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin). Note: it is the responsibility of parents/carers to notify the school if a medication is controlled. 

• Controlled medications will be stored securely and administered only by authorised staff unless otherwise approved by the Principal in consultation with the student’s treating health practitioner.

Storing medication 

The Principal (or their nominee) will put in place arrangements so that medication is stored: 

• securely to minimise risk to others  

• in a place only accessible by staff who are responsible for administering the medication 

• away from a classroom (unless quick access is required) 

• away from first aid kits 

• according to packet instructions, particularly in relation to temperature. 

For most students, Glenroy College will store student medication at First Aid. Glenroy College manages student health and medication information in accordance with Victorian privacy laws and Department of Education policy. 

Arrangements will be made to safely transport, store and administer medication during camps, excursions and other off-site activities.

The Principal may decide, in consultation with parents/carers and/or on the advice of a student’s treating medical/health practitioner: 

• that the student’s medication should be stored securely in the student’s classroom if quick access might be required 

• to allow the student to carry their own medication with them, preferably in the original packaging if: 

• the medication does not have special storage requirements, such as refrigeration 

• doing so does not create potentially unsafe access to the medication by other students. 

Warning 

Glenroy College will not: 

• in accordance with Department of Education policy, store or administer analgesics such as aspirin and paracetamol as a standard first aid strategy as they can mask signs and symptoms of serious illness or injury 

• allow a student to take their first dose of a new medication at school in case of an allergic reaction – this should be done under the supervision of the student’s parents, carers or health practitioner 

• administer as-needed medication for acute behavioural disturbance as a form of chemical restraint 

• allow use of medication by anyone other than the prescribed student except in a life threatening emergency, for example if a student is having an asthma attack and their own puffer is not readily available.  

Medication error 

If a student takes medication incorrectly, staff will endeavour to: 

In the case of an emergency, school staff may call Triple Zero “000” for an ambulance at any time. 

COMMUNICATION 

This policy will be communicated through our: 

• School website (publicly accessible) 
• Usual school community communication platform (e.g. Compass) 
• Staff induction materials 
• Annual communication to school community 
• Staff briefing/meeting - as required 
• Included in school newsletter 
• Made available in hard copy from school administration upon request 

Further information and resources 

The Department’s Policy and Advisory Library (PAL): 

• Medication Policy 

• First Aid for Students and Staff Policy 

   

  This policy should be read alongside the school’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy.

   

Policy review and approval