Medical needs policy
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Medical Needs Policy

How to write and review your school’s Medical Needs Policy

Have you seen your school’s Medical Needs Policy?

All schools and local authorities should have a policy that outlines how the needs of children and young people with medical needs will be supported to ensure they get the best out of school. 

There is stautory guidance from the DfE outling what both schools and local authorities need to do. 

With a growing body of evidence on the challenges faced by students with medical and mental health needs it's important schools have a clear policy. 

The policy should say who has responsibility for overseeing the support for students with medical needs. It should outline the actions and provisions that can be made for identified students. 

Do you know who is responsible for overseeing its implementation?

  • Governing bodies of maintained schools and academies should ensure that the school develops a policy for supporting pupils with medical conditions.
  • This policy must be reviewed regularly and be accessible to parents and school staff.
  • The school SENCO along with the senior leadership team may be responsibile for implementing the policy guidance.
  • Individual teachers may help implement aspects of the policy for individual students. 

Links to other policies:

There are other school policies and documents that work alongside the Medical Needs Policy. 

  • Individual Healthcare Plans 
  • Attendance Policy
  • Trips & Outings 
  • SEND Policy 
  • Inclusion Policy

Useful documents for writing your school’s Medical Needs Policy:

  • GOV.UK (local authorities)

    Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school.
    How local authorities must meet their duty to ensure children with health needs receive a good education.

  • GOV.UK (SEND code of practice)

    SEND code of practice: 0-25 years
    Guidance on the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system for children and young people aged 0 to 25, from 1 September 2014.

  • GOV.UK (statutory guidance)

    Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school.
    Statutory guidance for local authorities and departmental advice for others ensuring children with health needs receive education.

     

  • GOV.UK (Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions)

    Statutory guidance for governing bodies of maintained schools and proprietors of academies in England.

  • GOV.UK (Supporting pupils with medical conditions)

    Statutory guidance.
    Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school.
    How local authorities must meet their duty to ensure children with health needs receive a good education.

Teachers & Support Staff