Reading List

These official sources support the course content and are useful for supervision, policy review, refresher learning and service development. England sources are included where they give detailed children's homes or medicines context. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland references are signposted separately so staff do not assume one nation's medication standards apply across the whole UK.

England core guidance

• Children's homes regulations, including quality standards: guide
  Official England guide to the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, relevant to health, medicines, safe care, relationships and promoting independence.
• Social care common inspection framework (SCCIF): children's homes
  England inspection framework with expectations for managing medication and supporting children with complex health needs safely and effectively.
• The Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015
  The core England regulations for children's homes, including requirements relevant to health, protection and safe management.
• NHS: Medicines for babies and children
  NHS guidance on giving medicines to children safely, checking doses, storage, recognising side effects and when to seek advice.

Wales signposting

• National Minimum Standards for Children's Homes
  Wales standards covering treatment and administration of medicines, record keeping and staff competence.
• Guidance on registering a care home for children
  Guidance on the care-home-for-children framework and provider expectations in Wales.

Scotland signposting

• Residential care - Looked after children
  Scottish Government overview of residential care, including the need for a clear plan for each child's care and support.
• Care Inspectorate: Review of medicine management procedures
  Scotland guidance on medicine procedures, record keeping, incident reporting, staff training and oversight in care services.

Northern Ireland signposting

• RQIA Minimum Standards for Children's Homes
  Northern Ireland standards including written procedures for medicines administration, crushed and off-label medicines, storage and record keeping.

For daily practice, follow the child's current plan and your home's medicines policy, then consult these official sources for wider guidance.