📒Epilepsy Management Policy (QA2) (video needed)

National Quality Standard (NQS) - Quality Area 2: Children's health and safety

Duty Of Care

Woodlands has a legal responsibility to provide

1. A safe environment
2. Adequate Supervision

 Staff members including relief staff need to know enough about epilepsy and managing seizures to ensure the safety of those students.

Background & Legislation

Epilepsy is a common, serious neurological condition characterised by recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. While about 1 in 200 children live with epilepsy, the impact is variable - some children are greatly affected while others are not. Epilepsy is unique. There are virtually no generalisations that can be made about how epilepsy may affect a child. There is often no way to accurately predict how a child's abilities, learning, and skills will be affected by seizures. Because the child's brain is still developing, the child, their family, and the doctor will be discovering more about the condition as they develop.

The most important thing to do when working with a child with epilepsy is to get to know the individual child and their condition. All children with epilepsy should have an Epilepsy Management Plan. It is important that all those working with children living with epilepsy have a good understanding of the effects of seizures, required medication and appropriate first aid for seizures.

Legislation that governs the operation of approved children's services is based on the health, safety and welfare of children, and requires that children be protected from hazards and harm. National Regulations of the Education and Care Services requires the Approved Provider to ensure that there is at least one educator on duty at all times who has a current approved first aid qualification. As a demonstration of duty of care and best practice, it is recommended that all educators have current approved first aid qualifications.

Definitions - Focal Seizures

Generalised Seizures 

Implementation

We will involve all educators, families, and children in regular discussions about medical conditions and general health and wellbeing throughout our curriculum. The Service will adhere to privacy and confidentiality procedures when dealing with individual health needs.

 A copy of all medical conditions policies will be provided to all educators and volunteers and families of the Service. It is important that communication is open between families and educators so that management of epilepsy is effective.

 It is imperative that all educators and volunteers at the Service follow a child's Medical Management Plan in the event of an incident related to a child's specific health care need, allergy or medical condition.

Management, Nominated Supervisor/ Responsible Person will ensure:

• All staff including volunteers are provided with a copy of the Epilepsy Management Plan along with the Medical Conditions Policy annually.
• A copy of this policy is provided and reviewed during each new staff member's induction process.
• All staff members have completed first aid training approved by the Education and Care
• Services National Regulations at least every 3 years and is recorded, with each staff members' certificate held on the Service's premises.
• All staff attends regular training on the management of epilepsy and, where appropriate, emergency management of seizures using emergency epileptic medication when a child with epilepsy is enrolled at the Service.
• A Medical Conditions Risk Minimisation plan is completed for each child diagnosed,
• outlining procedures to minimise the incidence and effect of a child's epilepsy. The plan will cover the child's known triggers and where relevant other common triggers which may cause an epileptic seizure.
• All staff members are trained to identify children displaying the symptoms of a seizure and locate their personal medication and Epilepsy Management Plan.
• All children enrolled at the Service with epilepsy must have an Epilepsy Management Plan, seizure record, and, where relevant, an Emergency Medical Management Plan, filed with their enrolment record. Records must be no more than 12 months old and updated regularly by the child's registered medical practitioner.
• Individual Epilepsy Management and Emergency Medical Management Plans will be displayed in key locations throughout the Service.
• A copy of this policy will be provided to a parent or guardian of each child diagnosed
• with Epilepsy at the Service and reviewed regularly.
• Updated information, resources, and support is regularly given to families for managing epilepsy.
• That no child who has been prescribed epilepsy medication attends the Service without
• the medication.
• That a child's Epilepsy management plan is signed by a Registered Medical Practitioner and inserted into the enrolment record for each child.  This will describe the prescribed
• medication for that child and the circumstances in which the medication should be used.
• Implement a communication strategy and encourage ongoing communication between parents/guardians and staff regarding the current status of the child's medical condition, this policy, and its implementation.
• That a staff member accompanying children outside the Service carries the prescribed medication and a copy of the Epilepsy Management and Emergency Medical Management Plan for children diagnosed with epilepsy attending excursions.

Educators will:

• Ensure a copy of the child's Epilepsy Management Plan is visible and known to staff in a Service.
• Follow the child's Epilepsy Management Plan in the event of a seizure. Record all epileptic seizures according to the Epilepsy Management Plan.
• Take all personal Epilepsy Management Plans, seizure records, medication records,
• Emergency Medication Plans and any prescribed medication on excursions and other events.
• Administer prescribed medication when needed according to the Emergency Medication Management Plan in accordance with the service's Administration of Medication Policy.
• Recognise the symptoms of a seizure, and treat appropriately by locating the Epilepsy Management Plan and the Emergency Medication Management Plan.
• Identify and where possible minimise possible seizure triggers as outlined in the child's Epilepsy Management Plan.
• Consult with the parents/guardians of children with epilepsy in relation to the health and safety of their child, and the supervised management of the child's epilepsy.
• Ensure that children with epilepsy can participate in all activities safely and to their full potential
• Increase supervision of a child diagnosed with epilepsy on special occasions such as excursions, incursions, parties, and family days.
• Regularly check and record the expiry date of the prescribed Epilepsy Management medication.
• Provide information to the Service community about resources and support for managing epilepsy.
• Ensure that if a child who is not diagnosed with epilepsy has a seizure, a suitably trained and qualified Educator will;
  1. A seizure continues for more than three minutes
  2. Another seizure quickly follows the first
  3. It is the child's first seizure
  4. The child is having more seizures than is usual for them
  5. Certain medication has been administered
  6. They suspect breathing difficulty or injury
  7. Protect the child from injury- Remove any hazards that the child could come into contact with
  8. Not restrain the child or put anything in their mouth
  9. Gently roll them on to the side in the recovery position as soon as possible (not required if, for example, child is safe in a wheelchair safe and the airway is clear)
  10. Monitor the airway
  11. Call an ambulance; This may include when:
  12. Contact the parent/guardian when practicable
  13. Contact the emergency contact if the parents or guardian can't be contacted when practicable
  14. If the incident presented an imminent or severe risk to the health, safety, and wellbeing
  15. of the child or if an ambulance was called in response to the emergency (not as a precaution) the regulatory authority will be notified within 24 hours of the incident

In the event that a child (known to have an epileptic condition) suffers from an epileptic emergency, the Service and staff will:

• Follow the child's Medical Emergency Plan.
• If the child does not respond to steps within the Medical Emergency Plan call an ambulance immediately by dialing 000
• Continue first aid measures
• Contact the parent/guardian when practicable
• Contact the emergency contact if the parents or guardian can't be contacted when practicable
• Notify the regulatory authority within 24 hours

Families will ensure they provide the Service with:

• Information upon enrolment or on diagnosis, of their child's medical condition-epilepsy.
• An individual Medical Conditions Risk Minimisation Plan with Service staff.
• An Epilepsy Management Plan and an Emergency Medication Management Plan developed and signed by a Registered Medical Practitioner for implementation within the Service.
• The prescribed medications from the Emergency Medication Management Plan, providing an adequate supply of emergency medication for their child at all times.
• Medication that is within the date of expiration
• Information and be able to answer any questions regarding their child's medical condition.
• Notification of any changes to their child's medical condition and provide a new Epilepsy Management Plan in accordance with these changes.
• Relevant information and concerns to staff, for example, any matter relating to the health of the child.