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  6. HS220 Medicine training

HS220 Medicine training

Licensing criterion and guidance for 220 Medicine training.

Licensing and regulatory requirements
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Criterion HS220 Guidance

Criterion HS220

Educators administering medicine to children (other than their own) are provided with the necessary information, training, or instruction to do so safely and effectively. This may be from the child’s parent or whānau, or health professional, as appropriate.

Guidance

How to show you are complying

Before administering medication, an educator must have appropriate information, training or instruction to do it safely and effectively. This can be provided by:

  • the child’s parent(s) or guardian(s)

  • the child’s GP or practice nurse

  • a public health nurse

  • a nurse practitioner

  • a pharmacist

  • an ambulance officer or paramedic holding a current practising certificate

  • a foundation or society for example Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ.

Educators should also be provided training to understand what signs to look out for, if the child needs medication. For example, if a child is diabetic, the educator should know the signs of high) and low blood sugar ((hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia, respectively), and how to respond. For hypoglycaemia, they should know how to use a glucagon pen or how much glucose the child needs based on their blood sugar levels.

Keeping a record of training is a good way to make sure you know who has been trained to administer specific medication.

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When assessing whether you comply with HS220

Questions we are likely to ask

  • Do any of the children in the home need medication on a regular basis?

  • What medication do they need and how is it recorded?

  • What training do educators have to administer medication and who provided this training?

The tools below are here to support you, but you do not have to use them. You can use other tools or methods that work better for your service.

You might find it useful to adapt the Ministry of Health’s 'Medicines management guide for community residential and facility-based respite services – Disability, mental health and addiction' for your service.

Medicines management guide for community residential and facility-based respite services – Disability, mental health and addiction – Health NZ

Before giving medicine to a child, educators must be sure they’re doing it correctly. Clear guidance helps educators feel confident and gives parents and whānau peace of mind that their children are safe and well cared for.

Doing more than the minimum can shape better outcomes for children. Here are some ideas or examples you might like to consider.

Record keeping

Educators could keep a written or digital record of the authorisation provided by parents. These records could include:

  • the parent(s) or guardian(s) authorisation (including their name and the date it was authorised)

  • the information, or a description of the training or instruction provided, and the date it was provided

  • the name and occupation of the person who provided the educator with the information, training or instruction, and the date it was provided.

As the service provider, you could keep these records alongside the child’s enrolment records.

Print Page updated: 12:40AM 19 August 2026
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