Safe medication handling is essential in delivering high-quality care. This half-day Medication Awareness course gives care staff a clear understanding of how medicines should be stored, administered, and recorded to reduce risks and ensure individual safety.

Suitable for residential, supported living, or domiciliary care staff, the course explains the different forms of medication, routes of administration, and how to interpret dosage instructions. Delegates will explore the side effects, risks, and legal responsibilities involved in handling medicines, using real-life case studies to highlight good practice.

This session is ideal for care workers who assist with medication as part of their role, as well as those supporting individuals who self-administer.

Key Learning

• What is meant by a drug or medicine
• Common classifications of medication
• Different forms and types of medication
• Routes of administration and their purposes
• Understanding strength, dosage, and labelling
• Reading and completing Medication Administration Records (MAR sheets)
• Recognising side effects and contraindications
• Identifying and responding to medication errors

Medication errors in care settings can have serious consequences, including harm to the individual, disciplinary action for staff, and significant legal and regulatory breaches for the service. This course equips learners with the foundational knowledge needed to support safe practice and prevent avoidable mistakes.

Through practical examples and interactive activities, learners will become familiar with common forms of medication (e.g., tablets, liquids, creams), their classifications, and how they are prescribed and administered. The course also explores MAR (Medication Administration Record) sheets in detail, providing learners with the opportunity to practise completing and checking records accurately.

Staff will also be guided on how to recognise side effects and potential contraindications, and what to do in the event of a medication error — including when to escalate concerns and how to report issues responsibly.

This training aligns with guidance from the NICE Managing Medicines in Care Homes guidelines, CQC requirements, and supports safer working practices across care settings.

Relevant Standards Covered:

Care Certificate Standard 13 – Health and safety

Care Certificate Standard 15 – Infection prevention and control (when handling medication)

NICE – Managing Medicines in Care Homes

Health and Social Care Act 2008 – Safe care and treatment

Open course per person          £97
In-house for up to 6 people    £343
In-house for up to 12 people  £365