Section 2.1: School Related Operations

Approved: April 17, 2001

Revised: June 15, 2021

HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES 

1.0             Rationale

District School Board Ontario North East (DSB1) is committed to providing health support services in accordance with Ministry of Education guidelines.  This support provides equal opportunity of education to children with health problems and recognizes that it is necessary from time to time for medication to be administered during school hours.  It is the Board’s responsibility to ensure that all employees are aware of their legal obligations in respect to this issue (as required by the common-law doctrine “in loco parentis”).  When acting under this policy, school personnel are covered by the Board’s liability insurance.  The procedures attached to this policy will assist in helping staff and students manage all health-related situations as they arise.

2.0             Definitions

“In loco parentis”:

1. requires the employee to take action supportive of the student’s well-being;
2. requires the employee to recognize the limitations of their ability to provide direct assistance;
3. does not confer all the recognized authority of the parent upon the employee.

Emergency Medication: Emergency medication refers to medication that is administered by a staff member to a student at the time of a life-threatening health situation – for example – reliever inhaler, epinephrine auto-injector Epipen or stand-by medication.

Medication: Medication refers to medications that are non-prescribed or prescribed by a health care provider and, by necessity, may be administered to a student, or taken by the student, during school hours or school-related activities.

Immunity: No action or other proceeding for damages shall be commenced against an employee for an act or omission done or omitted by the employee in good faith in the execution or intended execution of any duty or power under the Education Act.

3.0             Policy

It is the policy of DSB1 to provide health support services and interventions to ensure equal opportunity of education to all students.  The procedures must be reviewed annually by all employees and volunteers who are in direct contact on a regular basis with students of the Board.