A
Assisting
Providing practical help with tasks the person cannot manage themselves, such as opening packaging, measuring doses, or moving medication.
As and when required medication (PRN)
Medication given only when needed, rather than at set times. A PRN protocol explains when and how it should be used.
B
Best interests
The option judged to be safest and most appropriate for a person who lacks mental capacity, following the Mental Capacity Act
C
Care plans
Documents describing the support a person needs, including their medication arrangements and any monitoring required.
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
The independent regulator for adult health and social care services in England. CQC inspects, monitors and rates services, and ensures they meet required safety, quality and legal standards
Casenote
A record in the person’s file explaining an event, decision, or action taken.
Capacity assessment
A formal assessment under the Mental Capacity Act to determine if a person can make a particular decision.
Clinical judgement
A decision made by a qualified health professional based on clinical knowledge. Care staff must not make clinical judgements.
Controlled drugs
Medicines legally restricted due to their risk of misuse. They must be stored, recorded and disposed of under strict rules.
Coroner’s Office
A public body that investigates certain deaths. Medication may sometimes be retained temporarily in case it is needed by the Coroner.
Covert administration
Giving medication in a disguised form (e.g., hidden in food) without the person’s knowledge, but only if the person lacks capacity and there is a lawful best‑interest decision.
D
Delegated healthcare activities
Healthcare tasks normally done by clinical staff that trained care workers can carry out under supervision and agreed procedures.
Designated keyholder
A member of staff authorised to hold keys for medication storage areas.
Dispensing labels
Pharmacy‑produced labels that show the person’s name, medication name and dosage instructions, which must be followed exactly.
Disposal
The safe and legal process for getting rid of medication that is expired, damaged, or no longer needed.
Dosette box
A pill organiser divided into days and times. Staff may only use dosette boxes filled by a pharmacy.
E
Expiry date / safe use period
The date after which a medication must not be used. Some items have a shorter safe‑use period after opening.
External regulators
Organisations such as CQC and OFSTED responsible for inspecting and assessing whether services meet legal and quality standards.
External medication
Medication applied to the outside of the body (e.g., creams, gels, patches).
F - G
(No entries)
H
Home Office
The government department responsible for drug laws, including reporting thefts or losses of controlled drugs.
I
Internal medication
Medication taken inside the body (e.g., tablets, liquids, inhalers).
J - K
(No entries)
L
Lacks mental capacity
When a person cannot understand, retain, use or weigh information, or cannot communicate a decision at a specific time.
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
An independent service that investigates complaints about local authority services when someone is not satisfied with the outcome.
M
MAR (Medication Administration Record)
A record showing a person’s medication, when it must be given, and what has been administered, refused or missed.
Medical/medication error
Any mistake in giving medication, such as wrong dose, wrong time or wrong person.
Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA)
The legal framework for supporting people who cannot make certain decisions and ensuring decisions are made in their best interests.
Mental capacity
A person’s ability to understand, retain, use/weigh information and communicate a decision.
Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973
Law setting requirements for how certain controlled drugs must be securely stored.
N
Near miss
A situation where an error nearly occurred but was prevented in time.
NHS England Controlled Drugs Accountable Officers
Senior officers responsible for monitoring the safe handling and reporting of controlled drugs within regions and organisations.
O
Off‑site activities
Activities taking place away from a home or day centre. Medication must be transported securely and remain accessible when needed.
Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (OFSTED)
The inspectorate responsible for regulating and inspecting children’s social care services.
Over the counter products
Medications that can be bought without a prescription, such as paracetamol or cold remedies.
P
Parental responsibility
The legal authority to make decisions for a child under 16 or 17 who does not have capacity or competence, including decisions about medication.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Items such as gloves or aprons used to reduce risk of infection while handling medication.
PRN protocol
A written instruction explaining when and how PRN (“as needed”) medication should be administered safely.
Prescribed
Medication authorised by a qualified prescriber such as a GP or nurse prescriber.
Prescriber
A healthcare professional legally allowed to write prescriptions.
Prompting
Reminding a person to take medication without physically helping them.
Q
(No entries)
R
Reasonable adjustments
Changes made to support someone with specific needs so they can safely manage or receive medication.
Reablement
Short‑term, goal‑focused support aimed at helping a person regain independence, including with medication management.
Registered manager
The person legally responsible for overseeing the service, ensuring it meets standards and manages medication safely.
Rescue medication
Emergency medication used for conditions that require immediate treatment, such as seizures or severe allergic reactions.
Risk assessment
A structured assessment identifying possible risks and how they will be managed safely.
S
Safety information sheets (medication)
Manufacturer‑provided information on how to use, store and dispose of medication safely, including side effects.
Schedule 2 controlled drugs
Controlled drugs with the strictest storage and record‑keeping requirements.
Schedule 3 controlled drugs
Controlled drugs with fewer restrictions than Schedule 2 but still requiring secure storage and careful handling.
Sharps box
A puncture‑proof container for the safe disposal of used needles or syringes.
Statutory CQC notification
A legally required report submitted to the Care Quality Commission when certain serious incidents occur, including controlled drug issues.
STOMP (Stopping Over‑Medication of People with a Learning Disability, Autism or Both)
A national programme aimed at reducing unnecessary or inappropriate use of psychotropic medication.
Swallowing aid
A product (e.g., gel or thickened fluid) that helps someone swallow medication more easily.
T
Transcribing
Copying medication instructions from an approved source onto a MAR sheet. It must be checked and countersigned due to risk of error.
U–Z
(No entries)
