Is this a Safeguarding issue?

[BlackBlack]

Child has known SEN. Child discloses at school that he takes medication for one of his known conditions. School then phone me to ask if this medication is prescribed as it’s a ‘Safeguarding issue’. I confirm it is indeed prescribed but I feel really irritated, do they actually think I would give him prescription only medication with no prescription?

They might not think you personally would but it’s not unheard of so I can understand them checking.

School should have an administering medication policy published.

It is common practice for schools to only administer prescribed medication, and they usually ask to see the packaging with the sticker.

This is to ensure the medication is given to the correct child. And to ensure the medication has actually been prescribed. Unfortunately some families do share medication between children and self administer.

Are they asking for proof for them to administer it, which is absolutely right.
Or are they asking if the medication you are giving him at home (that he mentioned) is prescribed ?

I have seen medications bought online or shared between families so I don't think it is unreasonable of the school to ask, no.

I don't understand why they would need to know if they are not being asked to administer it at school. Is it because of the type of medication that's caused a flag?

Is it melatonin?

Is it a medication that has the capacity to be abused, like opioids, or cannabis-based epilepsy medication?

Does child know the name, ie melatonin. I'd assume it's the type of medication. Sedation types are I'd say a safeguarding concern.

Lots of people use melatonin unprescribed so they would have to check.

Because if a child reports they are being given a drug they are not prescribed it can be a cause for concern even if the school are not administering it (some medications may not suitable to be given along side meds they are prescribed for example)

Did you inform the school that your child has a prescription and is taking medication for one of his conditions? If not, that may well be why they would check. And yes unfortunately some people do give their kids meds that are prescribed for others. So if you haven't informed them he has prescribed meds, they'd want to check with you. I'd also be interested in how your child told the school; could it be the way he said/described it gave cause for concern and needed checking?

If it's melatonin I know a number of parents who buy off the internet because it's hard to get prescribed.

It’s not administered at school. It is a medication that can only be prescribed by CAMHS/shared care. They know he has the condition and I’m sure the medication has been previously discussed at a SEN support meeting.

Also, I’m actually a medical professional which they know so I would’ve thought they would know there’s no way I would buy my child random medication from the internet.

Is it in his file that he takes it? If not I'd 100% phone and ask too. I dont really see the harm in them asking anyway, they are doing their jobs checking. I wouldn't be offended by it.

Honestly my sen child nearly got me investigated because he told them I gave him sleepy sweets to help him sleep it was his multivitamin..I told him it would help him sleep (he struggles badly) and he refuses multivitamins so I said take this "special sweetie" and you will go right to sleep it worked occasionally then he told the school who called me and i had to confess they found it hilarious in the end (and I had to stop doing it)

I work in safeguarding and could be something as simple has how the safeguarding concern has been recorded.
Your child could have been talking about his meds and phrased something in an unusual way, a staff member could have written something in an un clear way or any number of other communication issues could have happened.
The easiest thing for the DSL is to pick up the phone and clarify things with you.
This doesn't mean there is a mark against you now, it's only when concerns are not cleared up that it can become a bigger issue.