Schools support staff 'not trained in medical duties'

The GMB union, which represents school support staff, said the problem was putting more than a million children at risk.

More than half (57 per cent) of school secretaries, teaching assistants and other support workers say they have not had the relevant training for the medical duties they are asked to perform, according to a survey by the union.

Almost two-thirds of these (62 per cent) say they feel vulnerable about being asked to fulfil these responsibilities.

The duties can include overseeing asthma pumps and inhalers, administering behavioural drugs, insulin injections for diabetes or adrenalin injections for anaphylactic shock, and responsibility for catheters and tracheotomy care.

The survey found that while medical duties are meant to be voluntary, over four in 10 (43 per cent) of those questioned say they feel pressurised to take on the responsibilities. More than half (57 per cent) said they are not sure if they are insured for any professional negligence, while one in five (20 per cent) said they know they are not.

The GMB national secretary for public services, Brian Strutton, said: "Demand for medical provision in mainstream schools is increasing substantially. GMB want to advise parents that the makeshift voluntary arrangements that schools have in place are totally inadequate and close to breaking point."