Planning gloves and hand-hygiene supplies in schools
Gloves and hand-hygiene supplies serve different parts of a school’s practical care and cleaning arrangements. Select gloves for the assessed task, and keep suitable handwashing facilities stocked and accessible. Involve the relevant school leads before changing products, then check that staff can identify, obtain and use the supplies they have been trained to use.
Select gloves for the actual task
List the activities for which gloves are required under the school’s procedures, such as specified cleaning or care tasks. Match the glove type, size and other protective equipment to the assessment and product information. UKHSA guidance describes PPE selection as proportionate to the identified risk; one glove style should not be assumed suitable for every activity.
Check fit with the staff who will use the gloves and consider relevant individual requirements through the appropriate school process. Keep boxes identified by type and size. A mixed supply drawer can make it difficult to distinguish an approved task-specific glove from an unrelated product.
Keep handwashing provision dependable
UKHSA guidance calls for access to liquid soap, warm water and paper towels. Plan replenishment so those facilities remain available at the times pupils and staff need them. Gloves do not remove the need for the hand-hygiene steps specified in the relevant care or cleaning procedure.
For a classroom handwashing area, observe a normal transition before eating or after an activity. Check whether pupils can reach the supplies and whether empty dispensers are reported promptly. Use clear teaching prompts appropriate to the group, and provide support through the school’s individual arrangements where required.
Manage stock and product changes
Store supplies according to their instructions, protecting them from contamination and damage. Check packaging condition and any stated expiry information during replenishment. Keep enough stock for the planned routine and a defined contingency without allowing unidentified boxes to accumulate.
Assign a person to review consumption and report recurring issues such as poor fit, torn gloves or difficult dispensing. When a product changes, check that it remains suitable for the task and communicate any different instructions before issue. Disposal and cleaning of surrounding equipment should follow the school’s assessed arrangements, with staff able to find the relevant guidance when needed.
Action checklist
- Match glove type and size to the assessed task.
- Keep handwashing supplies accessible and replenished.
- Store identifiable stock according to product instructions.
- Review fit, dispensing problems and product substitutions.
Common questions
Can gloves replace the handwashing steps in a care routine?
Follow the complete assessed procedure, including its hand-hygiene requirements. Gloves and handwashing are not interchangeable purchasing choices.
Sources and scope
Source titles are provided for reference. Check the current original guidance and your school's circumstances before making a policy or compliance decision.
- Schools Direct editorial — Original school resource planning guidance and worked examples. Checked 1 November 2026.
- UK Health Security Agency — Preventing and controlling infections in children and young people’s settings. Checked 1 November 2026.