School have "lost" DS's Epi-pen

[alison222]

Aghhh.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The DC's were at the play-scheme run in the school building over Easter for a few days and one day DS had forgotten his inhaler so I went to "borrow" the one in the school welfare office which was unlocked.
Children's medicines are in boxes in a cupboard , in bags/boxes with their names on. I found DS's bag, clearly marked but it was missing its epi-pen.
School started again this morning so I have been in, and they have turned out the cupboards and checked DS's classroom. They found the 2nd epi-pen that is in the class but not the one in welfare next to the dining hall. He has multiple food allergies.
This is not the first time they have done this. They are taken out on trips and one was not replaced before. I ended up getting a replacement from the doctors for that one. They found it about 4 weeks later.

I have just written to the head teacher in very strong terms.
What can I reasonably expect them to do?

blimey that's awful!

So i take it a teacher isn't replacing it when it is removed?

They may ask your ds to be responsible for returning it to the office depending in his age of course.

That is unacceptable! The school should have an allergy/Epipen policy. If it doesn't then don't be afraid to ask the school to do one. The Anaphylaxis Campaign can provide some guidelines and training for the school if necessary. You could also ring them for advice on how to handle the situation. The fact that you say this has happened before I would keep on at them until they have a procedure in place that you and other parents of allergic children in the school are happy with. I found myself telling the school what they should do with Epipens and did my own internet research and gave all my notes to the school to assist them in an acceptable policy/procedure. They were happy for me to help.
Let us know how you get on.

Terrible, Terrible, Terrible!

That is so shocking.

I have had a "holding" e-mail from the head while he investigates.
I have seen their policy in the past and IIRC it seems to be OK . It would be much better if they adhered to it
I suspect that the epi-pen has been taken out on a school trip together with the other one and not been replaced. This happened about 2 years ago too. It was eventually found in the wrong classroom.
My cross e-mail of this morning said lots of things like "This is a clear breach in safeguarding DS" and ".....to let me know how you propose to amend current procedure to ensure that such a thing does not happen in future" and reminders that they are there to save a child's life.
I hope that will sufficiently put the wind up them to get it sorted once and for all.