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Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Children’s Medication Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the safe, effective, and legally compliant administration and management of medication for children receiving care and support from {{org_field_name}}. This policy promotes best practice in line with CQC Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment), Regulation 13 (Safeguarding), and the principles of the Children Act 1989 and 2004, the NICE guidance on managing medicines for children in community settings, and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s competency framework for healthcare professionals. The policy ensures that children’s medication is managed with safety, consent, dignity, and in partnership with parents, guardians, and health professionals.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff at {{org_field_name}} who are involved in administering, supporting, or overseeing medication for children under 18. It includes prescribed medicines, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, emergency medication (e.g. EpiPens), and nutritional or therapeutic substances. It covers procedures in the child’s home, during outings, or within any temporary accommodation settings. This policy also applies to the processes around consent, storage, recording, auditing, and handling of medication errors.

3. Related Policies

This policy must be read in conjunction with:

• CH11 – Safe Care and Treatment Policy
• CH13 – Safeguarding Adults and Children from Abuse Policy
• CH21 – Medication Management and Administration Policy
• CH39 – Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Policy
• CH36 – Initial Assessment and Care Planning Policy
• CH14 – Receiving and Acting on Complaints Policy
• CH30 – Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy

4. Policy Details

4.1 Prescribing and Consent

Medication must only be administered to children where it has been prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional or where written parental/guardian consent is obtained for over-the-counter remedies. Consent must be recorded on the child’s care plan and reviewed regularly. For children under 16, a parent or legal guardian must give written consent. Where children over 16 can consent, this is assessed under the Gillick competence principle. Where children lack capacity, best interest decisions must be made in accordance with safeguarding protocols.

4.2 Safe Storage and Labelling

All children’s medication must be stored in a secure, locked container within the child’s home unless alternative arrangements have been risk assessed and documented. Medication must be kept in its original packaging, clearly labelled with the child’s name, dosage, expiry date, and administration instructions. Emergency medication must be stored in a readily accessible but safe place known to staff and guardians. Expired or discontinued medication must be returned to a pharmacy or disposed of safely in accordance with our medication disposal procedures.

4.3 Administration Procedures

Only trained and competent staff may administer medication to children. Staff must follow the five rights of medication administration: right child, right medication, right dose, right time, right route. Any medication administered must be logged immediately in the child’s Medication Administration Record (MAR) chart with full details. Two staff members must verify administration where possible, especially with controlled drugs. Where a child refuses medication, this must be documented and reported to the parent/guardian and the prescribing professional where appropriate. Covert administration is not permitted under any circumstances.

4.4 Specialist and Emergency Medications

Where children require complex medications such as insulin, rectal diazepam, inhalers, EpiPens, or PEG feeding, staff must be trained and assessed as competent before administering. Clear care plans must be in place detailing when and how the medication should be given, including signs and symptoms of deterioration and emergency procedures. Instructions from paediatric specialists and clinical protocols must be followed without deviation. Emergency contacts must be listed on the care plan and readily available to staff at all times.

4.5 Supporting Self-Administration

Where age-appropriate and safe to do so, children are supported to take responsibility for their own medication under supervision. This includes education, encouragement, and monitoring in line with developmental stage and capability. Risk assessments are carried out to determine the level of support required. Any self-administration must be recorded and reviewed periodically.

4.6 Record Keeping and Audit

Each child has an individual MAR chart which is completed each time medication is administered. Records include the name of the medicine, dosage, date, time, route, staff initials, and any observed effects or concerns. All records are reviewed regularly by the Registered Manager {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}} and audited monthly to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance. Discrepancies are investigated immediately and corrective action taken.

4.7 Training and Competency

All staff who administer or manage children’s medication must complete specific paediatric medication training. Competency assessments are conducted by a qualified assessor before any medication tasks are undertaken. Annual refresher training is mandatory, and spot checks are completed by supervisors. Where specialist skills are required, such as enteral feeding or rescue medication, additional training is provided with documented evidence of competency.

4.8 Medication Errors and Reporting

All medication errors, missed doses, or adverse reactions must be reported immediately to the parent/guardian, the Registered Manager, and the prescribing professional. Errors must be recorded using the incident reporting process and investigated under the governance framework of Regulation 17 (Good Governance) and Regulation 20 (Duty of Candour). Root cause analysis is carried out where needed, and learning outcomes are shared with the team.

4.9 Partnership with Families and Professionals

We work closely with parents, carers, GPs, paediatricians, and pharmacies to ensure a coordinated approach to medication management. Parents are kept informed of any changes, incidents, or concerns. Care plans are reviewed jointly, and we promote open, transparent communication to safeguard the child’s welfare and rights. Where language or literacy is a barrier, we provide accessible communication tools and translation services if required.

5. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually or sooner in response to:

• Changes in CQC regulations or NICE guidance
• Significant medication incidents involving children
• Changes in the needs or risks of children receiving care
• Feedback from audits, staff, families, or professionals The review is led by the Registered Manager in collaboration with the safeguarding and medication leads. Staff are notified of updates, and any changes are followed by updated training and competency checks.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.