First Aid and Medication

Young people in supported accommodation should be responsible for meeting their own day-to-day health needs with support and guidance from their provider, social worker/young persons advisor and in line with their care/pathway plan.

Young people and the provider should understand and adhere to agreed arrangements regarding the young person’s health such as taking non-prescription medication, managing prescription medications, booking and attending GP appointments (other than annual check-up), and so on.

In most instances, young people will autonomously store and self-administer their own prescribed medications. Providers are expected to prompt or support the young person to take their medication, not physically prepare or administer routine doses. Providers have no responsibility for choosing not to take their medication; however, for any young person under the age of 18, they need to inform the social worker if they become aware of this.

For some young people who may need additional support with their medications, providers should support the young person to ensure safe medication practices, such as providing a lockable medication box, helping the young person set alarms or reminders to take their medications, and so on.

In some instances, if the young person requests it, staff may assist with the storing and managing of certain medicines if this assistance is in support of the young person’s journey to do this within increasing autonomy in the future and stay safe while doing so.

However, if a young person cannot manage their own ongoing medication needs at all independently it is likely that a higher level of care is needed and supported accommodation is not the right type of setting to meet the young person’s health needs and keep them safe.

Providers should encourage young people to keep records of the administration of their medication.

Where the registered person or providers have questions or concerns about a young person’s medication, or their ability to administer this themselves, they should discuss these with the young person, take necessary safeguarding actions, and approach a medical professional such as a General Practitioner (GP) or community pharmacist.

You should have a fully equipped first aid box in the home, and we advise that each vehicle used to carry young people have one. Your Supported Lodgings Social Worker will check that first aid boxes are stocked by you when they do your annual health and safety check. You should make sure that you take the opportunity to attend health and safety training opportunities when they arise.

First aid boxes should be kept in a safe accessible place, where the people who need to get access to them can do so. The first aid box may be looked at during an unannounced visit.

If a young person requires first aid, you should apply first-aid if it is safe to do so, and contact their Social Worker and your Supported Lodgings Social Worker as soon as possible. You must not delay the process of getting medical help.

You should always assess the situation and in a medical emergency, send for medical help and an ambulance or the police if this is needed.

Before help arrives:

• Do not move the young person other than to remove them from immediate danger or place them into the recovery position;
• Try to find out what has happened;
• Collect any drugs or spillages (e.g. vomit) for analysis;
• Do not try to make them sick;
• Observe the young person; keep them calm, warm and quiet whilst waiting for help;
• If the young person is unconscious:
  • Ensure that their airway is clear and they can breathe, and place them in the recovery position if it is safe to do so;
  • Do not move them if you suspect a spinal or other serious injury which may not be obvious;
  • Do not attempt to make them sit or stand;
  • Do not leave them until help arrives.

When medical help arrives, pass on any information available, including any samples and any medication being taken.

If a young person who is placed with you has particular health needs, the young person’s social worker should provide information and advice on specialist advisory or support groups.

You must have guidance on giving prescribed drugs to young people and advice on whether you can give drugs not on prescription.

You are expected to complete the accident/incident/ill-health or near miss report, Notification and Serious Incident Childcare Form when you administer any medication or when there has been a medical incident e.g. hospital admission, consultant/GP appointments. The Team Manager will review these initially and, where required, such as missing hospital admissions,  the Service Manager will review them.

Any health-related issues should always be discussed in supervision meetings and recorded.

You may receive specific training in relation to the management and administration of medication if your young person needs support with medication management.

Medicines that can be bought over the counter without a prescription, including Paracetamol, homoeopathic, herbal, aromatherapy, vitamin supplements or alternative therapies. Consideration should be given as to how long a young person continues to use these before they should arrange to see their GP.

Although Aspirin may be purchased 'over the counter', without a prescription, it may not be given to children unless prescribed by a medical practitioner.

The Young Person’s Plan and any relevant Health Care Plan should contain the following:

• All known allergies and associated risks including spotting the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis for the young person;
• Preventative measures should be detailed in the Plan - for example taking daily antihistamines for hay fever, making sure cleaning products and gloves are hypoallergenic, and washing powder is suitable for skin conditions;
• Actions to take when a young person has an allergic reaction. The plan should describe exactly what to do and who needs to be contacted in the event of an emergency. For example, when to use an Epi Pen and calling for an ambulance;
• You should be aware of the Plan and should have been trained to administer an Epi Pen by a suitable qualified health professional;
• The young person should be educated about their allergies and what to do in an emergency - a young person may be able to self-administer their own EpiPen or take antihistamines. If this is the case this should be recorded;
• Medication should be easily accessible so you and/or the young person can access their medication in an emergency situation;
• You should keep a record of each episode and any medication given.

Where appropriate a specialist allergy nurse/consultant will help develop a Health Care plan which should be shared with you and with all agencies working with the young person.

For further information, see the NHS Website or see Allergy UK Website.

Some young people are prescribed controlled drugs. Examples of controlled drugs are morphine and Ritalin.

ALL CONTROLLED DRUGS MUST BE STORED SAFELY BY BEING KEPT IN A LOCKED CABINET/BOX. NO MORE THAN 28 DAYS' SUPPLY SHOULD BE KEPT AT A TIME.

See also: CQC information on Controlled Drugs.

The young person should be supported to dispose of expired medication, and a record of this should be sought from their local pharmacy.