Supporting Treatment and Appropriate Medication in Paediatrics

Supporting Treatment and Appropriate Medication in Paediatrics (STAMP)

We have worked with NHS England on a programme to ensure children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both are able to access appropriate medication, and are not prescribed inappropriate psychotropic medication. 

Through STAMP we want to:

1. make the lives of children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both who are prescribed psychotropic medications better
2. make sure that children and young people who need medication can get it for the right reason, in the right amount for as short a time as possible
3. help people to understand more about these medications and have the confidence to ask why they are needed
4. make more non-medication treatments and support available
5. make sure the person with their family and paid carers are involved in any decisions to start, stop, reduce or continue taking them
6. get more children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both to have an annual health check starting from the age of 14

STOMP-STAMP patient leaflet (June 2019)

This leaflet has been produced for families of children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both who may be prescribed (or are prescribed) psychotropic medication, to help them ask questions about their care and be more involved in discussion. 

Who is involved in STOMP-STAMP?

STOMP-STAMP was launched in December 2018 by NHS England and The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

These organisations made a pledge at the launch event:

• The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH)
• The British Association of Childhood Disability (BACD)
• Council for Disabled Children (CDC)

The pledge was:

We pledge to ensure that children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both are able to access appropriate medication (in line with NICE guidance,) but are not prescribed inappropriate psychotropic medication. Regular and timely reviews should be undertaken so that the effectiveness of the medication is evident and balanced against potential side effects. This will mean that children and young people are only getting the right medication, at the right time, for the right reason.

We, the undersigned, pledge to work together with children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both and their parents, carers and families, to take measurable steps to ensure that children and young people only receive medication that effectively improves their lives.

We pledge to set out the actions that our individual organisations will take towards this shared aim and report regularly on the progress we have made, ensuring that we can be held to account.

Find out more about STOMP-STAMP