Get advice 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.
Last reviewed on 3 January 2024 See updates
School types: All • School phases: All • Ref: 2773
- Most schools must have a policy
- You need to have written consent from parents and carers
- Create individual healthcare plans for pupils with medical conditions
- Make sure staff are trained
- Allow pupils to administer their own medicines, if possible
- Store medicines safely
- Have a protocol for spare AAIs
- 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
- Maintained school (mainstream or special)
- Academy
- Free school
- Pupil referral unit
Include a section on administering medicines in your policy, which you and your staff can refer to.
Your policy should clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of all staff involved in administering medicines.
You need to have written consent from parents and carers
This applies if you're providing non-prescription and prescription medicine to pupils under 16.
Create individual healthcare plans for pupils with medical conditions
Where a pupil has a medical condition, work together with the pupil and their parents or carers to develop an individual healthcare plan.
Set out clearly what medicines and support they need, and who will provide it.
Staff must have appropriate training before giving prescription medicines or carrying out
