Eating and Drinking Supervision

Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure schools offer the appropriate level of support for students who need supervision when eating or drinking for their safety and wellbeing at school.

Details

It is recommended that schools develop a Student Health Support Plan for any student who, for medical reasons, requires supervision when eating and drinking.

Requirement for supervision

Students may need supervision with eating and drinking when they:

• have difficulty with oral intake of food and drink and need assistance with the procedure
• are not able to manage the volume of intake necessary for their health and wellbeing
• have complex medical needs such as:
  • taking food or fluid via a tube through their nose or directly into their stomach (via nasal or gastric tube feeding)
  • risk of aspiration (inhaling food or fluid into the lung) and require suctioning

Actions

For students who need supervision whilst eating and drinking schools should request the student’s medical/health practitioner such as a speech pathologist completes a Personal Care Medical Advice Form – Oral Eating and Drinking (DOCX) and must develop a Student Health Support Plan to address routine and special events, such as parties.

Students with complex medical needs may be referred to the Schoolcare Program.

Related policies

• Health Care Needs

Guidance

There is no further guidance for this topic. For more information, refer to Resources tab.

Resources

Templates and forms

• Health Support Planning Form (DOCX) – schools should complete this form for students who, for medical reasons, require supervision when eating and drinking
• Personal Care Medical Advice Form (DOCX) – a document that the student’s medical/ health practitioner (such as a speech pathologist) completes and that informs the student’s Health Support Plan