School relationships

Being in a school, college, or university means being part of a community where staff and students build relationships and friendships.

If you have a chronic or acute health condition, there are certain factors to consider that might not impact your classmates.

Setting things up

• When you start a new school, it's important to inform them about your health condition and its impact on your school life. Do this before you start or as soon as possible, so they can make any necessary adjustments. This could include a lift pass, a leave class card, access to a medical room, or medication storage.
  
  
• If you are at school an effective way for all this information to be shared is with an Individual Healthcare Plan.
  
  
• If you’re at university, the student support or disability service can help you.
  
  
• You can ask the school how they will inform new staff about students and their health conditions, as it’s not fair to expect you to keep updating new staff on your health and its impact on your learning.
  
  
• Schools, colleges, and universities operate differently, so it’s best to ask questions. The SENDCO at your school can be a helpful resource. Remember, it’s your choice to share information about your health condition. Your health details are personal, and you can decide when to share them. However, there may be important information that all staff should know to keep you safe, which can be discussed when you first meet with the school, college, or university.

Privacy and practicalities

• Finding the right balance between privacy and sharing your health condition can take some time. Talking to someone you trust, like a family member or health professional, can help. It's important to feel safe and get the support you need for a positive school or university experience, but you may not always be comfortable discussing your health with staff or classmates. This is a personal choice, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
  
  
• If another student or member of staff asks you a question about your health that you do not want to answer, it is okay to say, "Sorry, I don't feel comfortable talking about that."
  
  
• If another student or teacher makes comments about your condition that make you uncomfortable or embarrassed, you do not have to put up with it. Talk with a trusted teacher or tutor about the comments being made. This is the best way to change things for yourself and for others.

Friends and peers

• Every student needs to navigate friendships and getting along with peers. Having a chronic health condition can make you feel more vulnerable. Deciding who to trust with personal information and sometimes missing out on activities can add to the stress of school, college, or university.
  
  
• There’s no one right way to handle this; it depends on what you’re comfortable sharing and with whom. You might choose to share details as you get to know people or prefer that everyone knows to avoid questions about missed classes due to medical reasons.
  
  
• Having trustworthy friends can help if you miss school because of your health. They can update you on what you’ve missed, both academically and socially. While staff should be responsible for keeping you informed about your work, getting a friend’s perspective can still be valuable.