Workplace medicines policy checklist

The aim of this policy checklist on workplace medicines is to assist NEU reps to assess whether a policy to manage children’s medical needs is acceptable. 

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Model policy England Wales Health and safety

Our model policies and policy checklists are designed to assist NEU reps in negotiating the best employment policies on behalf of our members.

Reps should consult members before agreeing new policies or changes to existing policies and should not agree policies that do not meet member expectations, any statutory requirements and NEU minimums.

Policy checklists can be used as a guide for reps when communicating with members over whether a proposed policy is acceptable.

Reps should always seek to work collaboratively with other unions. 

If a policy is unacceptable, members should consider a collective response that may include taking industrial action. For further advice contact your district or branch. 

Health and safety documents

Health and safety at work

Employers have responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to take steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work.

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Workplace medicines policy checklist

Policies should always be developed in partnership with staff and parents, and should be clear and easily accessible to staff, parents and children.

All such policies should be compliant with relevant legislation and guidelines, including the Equality Act 2010.

All medicines policies should be subject to review and revision on a regular basis.

The following checklist is based on the DfE guidance in ‘Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions’.

A medicines policy should include:

  • procedures for the management of prescription medicines which need to be taken during the working day;
  • procedures for managing medicines on educational visits and home-to-school/college transport (cross-referenced with school/college policies relating to such activities)
  • roles and responsibilities of any staff managing or supervising the administration of medicines;
  • parental responsibilities regarding their child’s medical needs, and the requirement for prior written agreement from parents for any medicines to be given to their child;
  • circumstances in which non-prescription medicines may be taken by children;
  • policies on assisting children with chronic or complex medical needs;
  • policies on children carrying/self-administrating medicines;
  • staff training and indemnification;
  • record keeping;
  • safe storage of medicines;
  • access to emergency procedures;
  • risk assessment and management procedures.

Parents should always provide full information about their child’s medical needs, including details on medicines required by their child.

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