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Hello,
I have recently been suspended from school as i forgot to give a child a dose of medication and then requested that i was no longer the one and only person responsible for administering. Obviously head was unhappy. I have searched everywhere for similar cases and union are completely involved. The allegation is gross negligence. Obviously going crazy and have no idea what is really going on. What is your opinion? Any experience or words of wisdom?
Words of wisdom, get the union in now! I would never accept being made responsible for something like this. What is your role in school? Are you the first-aider? You need to read your school or LA disciplinary policy and get your union on the case now.
Your professional association are involved, and should provide the help and support you need. If custom and practice over any length of time in your school has made this type of work a teachers' task and it is laid down as such in a policy document then it may be difficult to argue otherwise, but if there is another route such as a support assistant who has the task as a specific part of a job description or the school prospectus says it is someone else's responsibility then it is not your responsibility. As to whether it is gross misconduct, then that can be a subjective test at a tribunal. Much might depend upon the type of medication and the effect of not taking it. ATL have this advice on their web site http://www.atl.org.uk/help-and-advice/school-and-college/administering-medication.asp
If the consequences to the child were not life threatening I would be surprised if it could be seen as gross negligence especially if there were reasons why the mistake arose such as a legitimate distraction at the time and the child was old enough to remind you and said nothing.
John Howson
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