Guidance on school staff providing medical care

The government is preparing guidance clarifying the roles and responsibilities of school staff when it comes to medical care for vulnerable pupils.

During an education committee session, Catherine McKinnell, the schools minister, was pressed about the delegation of medical support to unregulated school staff as a consequence of the drop in school nurse cover. It was noted that the SEND code of practice and the Department for Education’s guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions does not address the question of the delegation of medical support to unregulated school staff.

The current situation potentially leaves both pupils and staff extremely exposed where there are unqualified staff delivering medical support in school settings. The minister confirmed that officials and DHSC and NHS England colleagues are developing non-statutory guidance to clarify the roles and responsibilities due to be published as soon as possible in the autumn.