There is a duty on maintained schools and academies to make arrangements to support pupils with medical conditions.  In doing so they should ensure that children can access and enjoy the same opportunities at school as any other child.

The aim is to ensure that all children with medical conditions, in terms of both physical and mental health, are properly supported in school so that they can play a full an active role in school life, remain healthy and achieve their academic potential.

Key points:

• 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.
• Schools cannot require parents, or otherwise make them feel obliged, to attend school to administer medication or provide medical support to their child, including with toileting issues.
• Schools cannot prevent children from participating, or create unnecessary barriers to children participating in any aspect of school life, including school trips, e.g. by requiring parents to accompany the child.

Individual healthcare plans will specify the type and level of support required to meet medical needs. Plans need to be reviewed at least annually or earlier if the child’s needs have changed. Plans should be developed with the child’s best interests in mind and ensure that the school assesses and manages risks to the child’s education, health and social well-being and minimizes disruption.

Schools must develop a policy for supporting pupils with medical conditions that is reviewed regularly and is accessible.  The school should have a named person who has overall responsibility for policy implementation.

For more information please view Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions.