The nursing team comprises many different people who bring with them a range of skills, knowledge and competence.

A registered nurse remains in overall charge of nursing care, but they cannot perform every intervention or activity and therefore need to delegate aspects of care to colleagues. This can happen in the home, community or education setting, including to other professionals.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Code (2018) gives clear expectations for individuals when they delegate to others.

In section 11 the Code states under practise effectively:

“Be accountable for your decisions to delegate tasks and duties to other people.

“To achieve this, you must:

11.1 Only delegate tasks and duties that are within the other person’s scope of competence, making sure that they fully understand your instructions.

11.2 Make sure that everyone you delegate tasks to is adequately supervised and supported so they can provide safe and compassionate care.

11.3 Confirm that the outcome of any task you have delegated to someone else meets the required standard.”

Nurses have a safety critical role in the delegation of tasks and duties, including in education settings, which may present unique challenges in accountability.

References

Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018) The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives, and nursing associates. Available at: nmc.org.uk/standards/code/ (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Royal College of Nursing (2026) Accountability and delegation guide. Available at: rcn.org.uk/Professional-Development/Accountability-and-delegation/Guide (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Royal College of Nursing (2024) Meeting the Health Needs of Children and Young People in Educational and Community Settings. Available at: rcn.org.uk/Professional-Development/publications/rcn-meeting-health-needs-of-children-young-people-educational-and-community-settings-uk-pub-011-112 (Accessed 24 March 2026).

England

Nursing and Midwifery Council (2023) Read the code online. Available at: nmc.org.uk/standards/code/read-the-code-online/ (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Nursing and Midwifery Council (2024) Standards of proficiency for registered nursing associates. Available at: nmc.org.uk/standards/standards-for-nursing-associates/standards-of-proficiency-for-nursing-associates/ (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Skills for Health (no date) Information Hub - Standards and frameworks. Available at: skillsforhealth.org.uk/resources/category/nos/ (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Nursing and Midwifery Council (2026) Delegation and accountability: supplementary information to the NMC code. Available at: nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/nmc-publications/delegation-and-accountability-supplementary-information-to-the-nmc-code.pdf (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Department for Education (2026) Every child achieving and thriving. Available at: gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving/every-child-achieving-and-thriving-html-version (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Department for Education (2026) Supporting pupils with medical conditions at school - Government consultation. Available at: consult.education.gov.uk/medical-conditions-at-school/medical-conditions-at-school-statutory-guidance (Accessed 24 March 2026).

HM Government (2026) SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First: Government Consultation. Available at: consult.education.gov.uk/send-strategy-division/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-firs (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery (2025) Delegation in Nursing and Midwifery. Available at: nipec.hscni.net/projects-a-z/delegation-in-nursing-and-midwifery/ (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Scotland

NHS Scotland:

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) (2024) Making delegation safe and effective: a learning resource for nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and health care support workers. Available at: learn.nes.nhs.scot/79660/support-worker-central/making-delegation-safe-and-effective (Accessed 24 March 2026).

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) (2022) Development and Education Framework for level 2-4 NMAHP Healthcare Support Workers. Available at: learn.nes.nhs.scot/65220 (Accessed 24 March 2026).

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) (2023) Framework for the administration of medicines by level 3 and level 4 Healthcare Support Workers in Scotland. Available at: learn.nes.nhs.scot/68947 (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Scottish Government (2017) Supporting children and young people with healthcare needs in schools: Guidance for NHS boards, education authorities and schools. Available at: gov.scot/publications/advice-and-guidance/2017/12/supporting-children-young-people-healthcare-needs-schools (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Social care:

Care Inspectorate (2018) Prompting, assisting and administration of medication in a care setting: guidance for professionals. Available at: hub.careinspectorate.com/media/5987/prompt-assist-administer-medication-in-a-care-setting-guidance (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Care Inspectorate (no date) Guidance about medication personal plans, review, monitoring and record keeping in residential care services. Available at: careinspectorate.com/images/documents/1310/medication recording July 2012 web.pdf (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Scottish Government (2015) Clinical and Care Governance Framework: guidance. Available at: gov.scot/publications/clinical-care-governance-framework/ (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Scottish Social Services Council (2024) Codes of Practice. Available at: sssc.uk.com/standards/codes-of-practice/ (Accessed 24 March 2026).

Wales

Health Education and Improvement Wales (no date) All Wales Guidelines for Delegation. Available at: heiw.nhs.wales/files/weds-practicing-appropriate-delegation/all-wales-guidelines-for-delegation-2020/ (Accessed 24 March 2026).