Medication – safe practice from first dose to safe disposal
When a child arrives, one of your first questions must be: “What medication, if any, is this child taking?” Clear information, accurate recording and secure storage protect the child’s health, your approval to foster and the agency’s reputation.
1 | Getting accurate information at placement
- Ask the social worker to supply written details of every prescribed drug: name, strength, dose, timing, purpose, and any known side-effects.
- If details arrive verbally—e.g., an emergency placement—write them down immediately, date and sign the note, then chase written confirmation within 24 hours.
- File a copy in the child’s Health Passport; keep the original with placement paperwork.
2 | Training and competence
All carers must complete the Health & Hygiene (Caring for the Whole Child) course, which covers:
- safe administration techniques (spoon, syringe, inhaler, epipen);
- reading labels, understanding “use-by” dates and dose intervals;
- recording on the agency medication log and in weekly recordings;
- storage, stock checks and disposal.
Refresher is mandatory every three years or sooner if the child’s medication regime is complex.
3 | When can you give medication?
| Type | Consent route | Key points |
| Prescribed | Always acceptable when prescribed specifically for that child by a qualified prescriber. | Check label matches child’s name and current dosage; never use someone else’s prescription. |
| Over-the-counter (OTC) | Give only after advice from GP, NHS 111, pharmacist or delegated-authority agreement written into the Placement Plan. | Record who gave the advice, date and exact preparation recommended. |
If a placement includes delegated authority for routine OTC items (e.g., paracetamol, antihistamine), follow any written conditions: maximum daily dose, length of use, triggers for medical review.
4 | Five-step safe-administration routine
- Check instructions – read the label and patient leaflet every time: route, dose, timing, food interactions.
- Prepare the dose – measure accurately; avoid crushing tablets unless pharmacist confirms it is safe.
- Observe the child taking it – no “take these later” for younger children.
- Record immediately – time, dose, reason, initials, and any reaction. Everyone administering must use the same log sheet.
- Store securely – locked box or high cupboard; controlled drugs in a locked metal cabinet.
Left-over or expired medication should be returned to a pharmacy; do not flush or bin.
5 | Young people self-administering
Taking responsibility for one’s own medication is an important step toward independence. Discuss readiness with the child’s social worker and obtain written agreement before handing over:
- secure storage in the young person’s room;
- spot-checks to ensure adherence;
- continued recording of doses (self-report or supervised log).
If self-administration fails (missed doses, overuse), revert to carer control and inform the social worker.
6 | Weekly recordings and audits
Your weekly log has a dedicated question: “Was any medication given?” Answer every week, even if the answer is “None.” Supervising Social Workers audit logs against the Health Passport and pharmacy repeat-scripts.
7 | When in doubt – stop and ask
Unclear dosage, lost inhaler, late evening dose forgotten? Call NHS 111 or the child’s GP for clinical advice and inform your Supervising Social Worker. Better a cautious query than a medication error.
Key message: precise information, meticulous recording and locked storage turn medication from a risk into a routine—and teach children that their health matters and can be safely managed.
