Administering medicines in school: guidance
Find guidance on administering medication to pupils in school, including on school trips and in the early years. Download our printable sheet of 'dos and don'ts' that staff can refer to.
Contents
- Most schools must have a policy
- You need to have written consent from parents
- Make sure pupils have an individual healthcare plan
- Allow pupils to administer their own medicines, if possible
- Store medicines safely
- Download our printable ‘dos and don’ts’
- You can provide non-prescription medicines on school trips
- Medicines in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Most schools must have a policy
You’re required to have a policy on supporting pupils with medical conditions if you’re a:
- Maintained school (mainstream or special)
- Academy
- Free school
- Pupil referral unit
Include a section on administering medicines in your policy that you and your staff can refer to.
You need to have written consent from parents
This applies if you're providing non-prescription and prescription medicine to pupils under 16.
Read more about parental consent in our other article.
Make sure pupils have an individual healthcare plan
Where a pupil has a medical condition, work together with the pupil and their parents to develop an individual healthcare plan.
Set out clearly what medicines and support they need, and who will provide it.
Read more about staff responsibilities in administering medicines in our other article.
Allow pupils to administer their own medicines, if possible
Wherever
This article is only available for members
Want to continue reading?
Start your free trial today to browse The Key Leaders and unlock 3 articles.
Already a member? Log in
