The revised guidance contains both statutory guidance and non statutory advice, with the non statutory advice readily identifiable and set out in text boxes within the document.
Maintained schools and academies (referred to as appropriate authorities) are required to have regard to the guidance when carrying out their statutory duty to make arrangements to support pupils with medical conditions, both in terms of physical and mental health. This is required to the extent that it must enable the pupils to play a full and active role in school life, to remain healthy, and to achieve their academic potential. Importantly, the guidance also applies to off site activities which take place as 'normal educational activities'.
The Key Points of the Guidance:
- Pupils at school with medical conditions should be properly supported so that they have full access to education, including school trips and physical education.
- Governing bodies must ensure that arrangements are in place in schools to support pupils at school with medical conditions.
- Governing bodies should ensure that school leaders consult health and social care professionals, pupils and parents to ensure that the needs of children with medical conditions are properly understood and effectively supported.
Guiding Principles for Schools
Schools should:
- Take into account that many of the medical conditions that require support at school will affect quality of life and may be life threatening.
- Focus on the needs of each individual child and how their medical condition impacts upon their school life.
- Give parents and pupils confidence in the school’s ability to provide effective support for medical conditions in school.
- Show an understanding of how medical conditions impact on a child’s ability to learn, as well as increase their confidence and promote self care.
- Ensure that staff are properly trained to provide the support that pupils need.
- Ensure that the school develops a policy for supporting pupils with medical conditions that is reviewed regularly, and is readily accessible to parents and school staff.
- Include details on how the school’s policy will be implemented effectively, including a named person who has overall responsibility for policy implementation.
The School’s Policy
Details should include:
- who is responsible for ensuring that sufficient staff are suitably trained
- a commitment that all relevant staff will be made aware of the child’s condition
- cover arrangements in case of staff absence or staff turnover to ensure someone is always available
- briefing for supply teachers
- risk assessments for school visits, holidays, and other school activities outside of the normal timetable
- monitoring of individual healthcare plans
Plans and Records
All schools when considering how to support an individual pupil's medical needs will need to complete and review:
- individual healthcare plans
- parental agreement for school to administer medicines
- record of medicines administered to an individual child
- record of medicines administered to all children
- staff training record - administration of medicines
- contacting emergency services
- individual Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans
For more information, please contact Tracey Eldridge-Hinmers in our Academies team on 020 7665 0802