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Administering medicines: parental consent
Find out how you can seek permission to give non-prescription medicines to pupils, and what to do if a parent doesn't consent. Plus, download and use our multi-purpose consent form.
Contents
You need written consent
You need to get written consent from parents/carers before you give a child under 16 any medication.
This applies to all cases, except in 'exceptional circumstances' where the medicine has been prescribed without the knowledge of the parents (e.g. contraceptives). In this case, you should encourage the pupil to involve their parents while respecting their right to confidentiality.
Bear in mind that you should only administer medicine at school when it would be detrimental to a child’s health or school attendance not to do so.
This is outlined on page 20 of the DfE's statutory guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions at school, which applies to all schools.
Read our guidance on administering medicines to pupils - it's got a list of 'dos' and 'don'ts' that your staff can refer to when administering medicines to pupils.
It's up to you to decide whether you'll accept
- Administering medicines in school: guidance
- Administering medicines: template record forms
- EpiPens in school: guidance and risk assessments
- First aid provision: requirements and guidance
- Individual healthcare plans: guidance, templates and examples
- Supporting pupils with asthma
- Supporting pupils with complex medical needs
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