The information aims to ensure that children are not excluded from mainstream education or activities because of health conditions and that medicines are administered safely by trained staff.
The types of medicines that staff in nurseries, schools and other establishments are asked to administer range from allergy sprays to more invasive procedures, such as giving injections or enemas.
Unison deputy head of health and safety Hope Daly said, 'An increasing number of our members are coming to Unison for advice because they have been asked by parents or their employers to ensure that children are given medicines.
'This is obviously of real concern, as many staff working with children may not have been given any training in this area. There is no legal duty on non-medical staff to administer medicines or to supervise a child taking them. This is purely a voluntary role, but we hope that this guide will go a long way to allaying members' fears and anxieties and protecting the children in their care.'
The guidelines are free to members and can be obtained from Unison headquarters (020 7388 2366).