Guidance

Infection prevention tools and resources for children and young people's settings

Updated 8 April 2026

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The Public health exclusion periods in children and young people’s settings has moved to a separate attachment.

Posters

Posters are available for use by all children and young people settings to promote the latest advice and guidance in managing cases of infectious diseases in their settings.

Meningitis or septicaemia: action checklist

This checklist is for all children and young people settings.

Single case of suspected meningitis or septicaemia in a child, young person or staff member

The setting should contact the health protection team with details of the individual. The health protection team will contact microbiology and the medical team to obtain further information. The health protection team will then follow up with the setting to discuss any further action required.

If the diagnosis is likely to be meningococcal disease, the HPT will discuss the:

  • composition of a letter of reassurance to parents, guardians or students to raise awareness of signs and symptoms
  • rationale for antibiotic prophylaxis for close household contacts and why children and young people setting contacts are unlikely to receive prophylaxis

Take care not to breach the confidentiality of the person and their illness.

Two or more children, young people or staff members with suspected meningitis or septicaemia

Further public health action may be required when 2 or more individuals who are linked at the setting have confirmed or probable meningococcal disease within a short period of time (usually 4 weeks).

The HPT will:

  • establish an outbreak team
  • discuss the need for antibiotics within the setting and to a defined close contact group within the establishment (for example dormitory contacts, classroom contacts, children or young people who share common social activities and/or close friends)
  • discuss the composition of a letter of reassurance to parents, carers or students to raise awareness of signs and symptoms
  • lead on any media messages or involvement

In the event of 2 or more cases the HPT will liaise with:

  • microbiology
  • GPs
  • local Director of Public Health and their team within the local authority

If staff or students have a general question about meningitis, or septicaemia or require support, there are 2 charities available (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm):

Read more guidance on managing meningitis and septicaemia.

Download a PDF version of the Meningitis or septicaemia action checklist to print out.

Health Protection Teams (HPT) contact details. If you are using this guidance in Scotland, please contact your local Scottish HPT.

e-Bug: school resources and e-learning to support teaching about infections and prevention

Farm visits

Health and Safety Executive

NHS England: national infection prevention and control

The Meningitis Research Foundation

The Meningitis Trust

National immunisation schedule

NHS choices

Notifications of infectious diseases

Waste disposal

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