Medical needs
Information and suggested templates to help support young children with medical needs
Under the Children and Families Act (pdf format, 200KB). Schools and early years settings must support children with medical conditions. Making necessary arrangements and following statutory guidance.
Inclusive support for children
Refer to additional guidance for the inclusive support of children:
- Disabled Children and the Equality Act 2010 (pdf format, 200KB). Essential information for teachers and schools
- Supporting Children with Medical Conditions from the DfE.
Support groups and information
- Contact offers resources for families with disabled children
- The Health Conditions in Schools Alliance provides templates and legal advice for schools
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Provides A-Z of Leaflets on common medical conditions
Training and support
- The Oxfordshire Medical Needs in Schools (MNIS) project offers online training and downloadable resources
- Free training is available at the Oxfordshire Hospital School
- The Healthier Together Programme aims to improve children's health in Oxfordshire. Fontanelle offers a paediatric podcast for trainees
Health care plan
A health care plan should be developed before a child starts school. It outlines responsibilities, training needs, and required adaptations.
The healthcare professional will normally help coordinate this process. The plan will need to identify:
- Staff and parental responsibilities
- Required staff training
- Input from healthcare professionals
- Allergy and medication management
- Regular monitoring and review
Health care plan template
Health care plan - Supporting pupils with medical conditions (docx format, 150KB)
Healthcare Passports
A healthcare passport gives essential information about a child's medical needs for healthcare professionals. It uses a traffic light system to categorize information by importance.
The healthcare passport is led by parents or carers. It aims to include key points rather than a full history of the child.
Children with toileting needs
Schools must accommodate children with toileting needs, ensuring they are well-supported and not discriminated against. Please refer to the Oxfordshire toileting and personal care guidance.
Further Toilet Training is available from the from the NHS.