Children with Health Needs who Cannot Attend School Policy

Version 2   |  May 2024

This Children with Health Needs who Cannot Attend Schools Policy was approved by the Governing Board on XXXXX

Co-op Academy Stoke on Trent

Westport Road, Tunstall Stoke on Trent ST6 4LD

Tel: 01782 882300 Email: stok-academy@co-opacademies.co.uk

Web: https://stokeontrent.coopacademies.co.uk

1. Statement of Intent

Co-op Academy Stoke aims to ensure that all children who are unable to attend school due to medical needs, and who would not receive suitable education without such provision, continue to have access to as much education as their medical condition allows, to enable them to reach their full potential.

Due to the nature of their health needs, some children may be admitted to hospital or placed in alternative forms of education provision. We recognise that, whenever possible, students should receive their education within their school and the aim of the provision will be to reintegrate students back into school as soon as they are well enough.

We understand that we have a continuing role in a student's education whilst they are not in school and will work with Stoke on Trent Local Authority, healthcare partners and families to ensure that all children with medical needs receive the right level of support to enable them to maintain links with their education.

2. Aims

This policy aims to ensure that:

● Suitable education is arranged for any student on roll who cannot attend school due to health needs;

● Students, staff and parents understand what the school is responsible for when this education is being provided by the local authority.

3. Legislation and Guidance

This policy has due regard to all relevant legislation and statutory guidance including, but not limited to, the following:

● Education Act 1996

● Equality Act 2010

● Data Protection Act 2018

● DfE (2013) 'Ensuring a good education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs'

● DfE (2015) 'Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions'.

4. Definitions

Children who are unable to attend school as a result of their medical needs may include those with:

• Physical health issues.
• Physical injuries.
• Mental health problems, including anxiety issues.
• Emotional difficulties or school refusal.
• Progressive conditions.
• Terminal illnesses
• Chronic Illnesses

Children who are unable to attend mainstream education for health reasons may attend any of the following:

• Hospital school: a special school within a hospital setting where education is provided to give continuity whilst the child is receiving treatment
• Home tuition: many Local Authorities have home tuition services that act as a communication channel between schools and students on occasions
• Where students are too ill to attend school and are receiving specialist medical treatment
• Medical PRUs: these are Local Authority establishments that provide education for children unable to attend their registered school due to their medical needs.

5. Academy Duties

Initially, the school will attempt to make arrangements to deliver suitable education for children with health needs who cannot attend school. The Headteacher and SENDCO/DSL will be responsible for making and monitoring these arrangements.

A meeting will be made with parents/carers to discuss arrangements for working from home or hospital. A plan will be drawn up detailing agreed actions from the discussion, the plan will be signed by the academy and parents/carers. The plan will then be carried out to deliver education to the child. The attendance team will conduct home visits throughout.

Arrangements could include sending work home or attending a hospital school. Work will be prepared by class teachers.

The student will be slowly integrated back into school with either alternative arrangements to make it possible such as alternative spaces for break or lunch times or the student may come back into school on a reduced timetable until their health needs have been met.

If the school can’t make suitable arrangements, Stoke-on-Trent Local Authority will become responsible for arranging suitable education for these children

.6. Local Authority (LA) Duties

Stoke on Trent Local Authority (LA) must arrange suitable full-time education for children in Stoke on Trent of compulsory school age who, because of illness, would not receive suitable education without such  provision. The Academy has a duty to support the LA in doing so. 

The LA should:

• Provide such education as soon as it is clear that a student will be away from school for 15 days or more, whether consecutive or cumulative. They should liaise with the appropriate medical professionals to ensure minimal delay in arranging appropriate provision for the student. Ensure the education students receive is of good quality, allows them to take appropriate qualifications, prevents them from falling behind their peers in school, and allows them to reintegrate successfully back into school as soon as possible.
• Address the needs of individual pupils in arranging provision.
• Have a named officer responsible for the education of children with additional health needs and ensure parents know who this is.
• Have a written, publicly accessible policy statement on their arrangements to comply with their legal duty towards children with additional health needs.
• Review the provision offered regularly to ensure that it continues to be appropriate for the child and that it is providing suitable education.
• Give clear policies on the provision of education for children and young people under and over compulsory school age.

The LA should not:

• Have processes or policies in place which prevent a child from getting the right type of provision and a good education.
• Withhold or reduce the provision, or type of provision, for a child because of how much it will cost.
• Have policies based upon the percentage of time a child is able to attend school rather than whether the child is receiving a suitable education during that attendance.
• Have lists of health conditions which dictate whether or not they will arrange education for children or inflexible policies which result in children going without suitable full-time education (or as much education as their health condition allows them to participate in).

7. Roles and Responsibilities

The Governing Board and Headteacher are responsible for:

• Ensuring arrangements for students who cannot attend school as a result of their medical needs are in place and are effectively implemented.
• Ensuring the termly review of the arrangements made for students who cannot attend school due to their medical needs.
• Ensuring the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the arrangements to support the needs of students are clear and understood by all.
• Ensuring robust systems are in place for dealing with health emergencies and critical incidents, for both on and off-site activities.
• Ensuring staff with responsibility for supporting students with health needs are appropriately trained.
• Appointing a named member of staff who is responsible for students with healthcare needs and liaises with parents, students, the Local Authority, key workers and others involved in the student's care.
• Providing teachers who support students with health needs with suitable information relating to a student's health condition and the possible effect the condition and/or medication taken has on the student.
• Notifying the Local Authority when a student is likely to be away from the school for a significant period of time due to their health needs.

The SENDCo/DSL is responsible for:

• Dealing with students who are unable to attend school because of medical needs.
• Actively monitoring pupil progress and reintegration into school.
• Supplying students' education providers with information about the child's capabilities, progress and outcomes.
• Liaising with the Headteacher, education providers and parents to determine students' programmes of study whilst they are absent from school.
• Acting as a link between students, parents and the LA

Teachers and Support Staff are responsible for:

• Understanding confidentiality in respect of students' health needs.
• Designing lessons and activities in a way that allows those with health needs to participate fully and ensuring students are not excluded from activities that they wish to take part in without a clear evidence-based reason.
• Understanding their role in supporting students with health needs and ensuring they attend the required training.
• Ensuring they are aware of the needs of their students through the appropriate and lawful sharing of the individual student's health needs.
• Ensuring they are aware of the signs, symptoms and triggers of common life threatening medical conditions and know what to do in an emergency.
• Keeping parents informed of how their child's health needs are affecting them whilst in the academy.

Parents are responsible for:

• Ensuring the regular and punctual attendance of their child at the academy where possible.
• Working in partnership with the academy to ensure the best possible  outcomes for their child.
• Notifying the academy of the reason for any of their child’s absences without delay.
• Providing the academy with sufficient and up-to-date information about their child’s medical needs.
•  Attending meetings to discuss how support for their child should be  planned.

8. Managing Absence

Parents are advised to contact the school on the first day their child is unable to attend due to illness.

Absences due to illness will be authorised unless the school has genuine cause for concern about the authenticity of the illness.

The school will provide support to students who are absent from school because of illness for a period of less than 15 school days by liaising with the student's parents to arrange schoolwork as soon as the student is able to cope with it or part-time education at school. The school will give due consideration to which aspects of the curriculum are prioritised in consultation with the student, their family and relevant members of staff.

For periods of absence that are expected to last for 15 or more school days, either in one absence or over the course of a school year, the named person with responsibility for students with health needs will notify the Local Authority, who will take responsibility for the student and their education.

Where absences are anticipated or known in advance, the school will liaise with the Local Authority to enable education provision to be provided from the start of the student's absence.

For hospital admissions, the appointed named member of staff will liaise with the Local Authority regarding the programme that should be followed while the student is in hospital.

The Local Authority will set up a personal education plan (PEP) for the student which will allow the school, the Local Authority and the provider of the student's education together.

The school will monitor student attendance and mark registers to ensure it is clear whether a student is, or should be, receiving education otherwise than at school.

The school will only remove a student who is unable to attend school because of additional health needs from the school roll where:

• The student has been certified by the school's medical officer as unlikely to be in a fit state of health to attend school, before ceasing to be of compulsory school age; and
• Neither the pupil nor their parent has indicated to the school the intention to continue to attend the school, after ceasing to be of compulsory school age.

A student unable to attend school because of their health needs will not be removed from the school register without parental consent and certification from the school's medical officer, even if the Local Authority has become responsible for the student's education.

9. Support for Students

Where a student has a complex or long-term health issue, the school will discuss the student's needs and how these may be best met with the Local Authority, relevant medical professionals, parents and, where appropriate, the student.

The Local Authority expects the school to support students with health needs to attend full time education wherever possible, or for the school to make reasonable adjustments to student' programmes of study where medical evidence supports the need for those adjustments.

The school will make reasonable adjustments under students' individual healthcare plans (IHCPs).

Students admitted to hospital will receive education as determined appropriate by the medical professionals and hospital tuition team at the hospital concerned.

During a period of absence, the school will work with the provider of the student's education to establish and maintain regular communication and effective outcomes.

Whilst a student is away from school, the school will work with the Local Authority to ensure the student can successfully remain in touch with their school using the following methods: newsletters, emails, invitations to school events, cards or letters from peers and staff.

Where appropriate, the school will provide the student's education provider with relevant information, curriculum materials and resources.

To help ensure a student with additional health needs is able to attend school following an extended period of absence, the following adaptations will be considered:

•  A personalised or part-time timetable, drafted in consultation with the named staff member;

• Access to additional support in school;

• Online access to the curriculum from home;

• Movement of lessons to more accessible rooms;

• Places to rest at school

• Special exam arrangements to manage anxiety or fatigue.

10. Reintegration

When a student is considered well enough to return to school, the school will develop  a tailored reintegration plan in collaboration with the LA.

The school will work with the LA when reintegration into school is anticipated to  plan for consistent provision during and after the period of education outside  school.

As far as possible, the child will be able to access the curriculum and materials that  they would have used in school.

If appropriate, the school nurse will be involved in the development of the student’s  reintegration plan and informed of the timeline of the plan by the appointed named member of staff, to ensure they can prepare to offer any appropriate  support to the student.  

The school will consider whether any reasonable adjustments need to be made to  provide suitable access to the school and the curriculum for the student.

For longer absences, the reintegration plan will be developed near to the student’s  likely date of return, to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on an ill student or their  parents in the early stages of their absence.  

The school is aware that some students will need gradual reintegration over a long  period of time and will always consult with the student, their parents and key staff  about concerns, medical issues, timing and the preferred pace of return.

The reintegration plan will include:

• The date for planned reintegration, once known.
•  Details of regular meetings to discuss reintegration.
• Details of the named member of staff who has responsibility for the  student.
• Clearly stated responsibilities and the rights of all those involved.
•  Details of social contacts, including the involvement of peers and  mentors during the transition period.
• A programme of small goals leading up to reintegration.
• Follow up procedures.

The school will ensure a welcoming environment is developed and encourage  students and staff to be positive and proactive during the reintegration period.

Following reintegration, the school will support the LA in seeking feedback from the  student regarding the effectiveness of the process.  

11. Information Sharing

It is essential that all information about students with health needs is kept up-to-date.

All teachers, TAs, supply and support staff will be provided with access to relevant  information, including high-risk health needs, first aiders and emergency  procedures, via the agreed Academy procedures.

Parents will be made aware of their own rights and responsibilities regarding  confidentiality and information sharing. To help achieve this, the school will:

• Ensure this policy and other relevant policies are easily available and  accessible.
• Provide the student and their parents with a copy of the policy on  information sharing.
• Ask parents to sign a consent form which clearly details the  organisations and individuals that their child’s health information will be  shared with and which methods of sharing will be used.

When a student is discharged from hospital or is returning from another education  provision, the school will ensure the appropriate information is received to allow for  a smooth return to the school. The named member of staff will liaise with the  hospital or other tuition service as appropriate.

12.  Record Keeping

In accordance with the Supporting students with Medical Conditions Policy, written  records will be kept of all medicines administered to students. Proper record keeping protects both staff and students and provides evidence that  agreed procedures have been followed.

All records will be maintained in line with the Records Management Policy.

13. Training

Staff will be trained in a timely manner to assist with a student’s return to school.

Once a student’s return date has been confirmed, staff will be provided with relevant  training before the student’s anticipated return.

Healthcare professionals should be involved in identifying and agreeing with the  school the type and level of training required.

Training will be sufficient to ensure staff are confident in their ability to support  students with additional health needs.

Parents of students with additional health needs may provide specific advice but will  not be the sole trainer of staff.

14. Examinations and Assessment

The named member of staff will liaise with the alternative provision provider over  planning and examination course requirements where appropriate. Relevant assessment information will be provided to the alternative provision  provider as required.

Awarding bodies may make special arrangements for students with permanent or  long-term disabilities and learning difficulties, or temporary disabilities and illnesses.  Applications for such arrangements will be submitted by the school, or LA if more appropriate, as early as possible. 

15. Monitoring, Evaluation and Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the SENDCo/DSL. At every review, it will be approved by the full governing board. Any changes in the policy will be clearly communicated to all members of staff involved in supporting students with additional health needs, and to parents and pupils themselves.

 16.Appendices

Appendix 1: individual Healthcare Plan Template

Appendix 2: Part-time / Reduced Timetable Consent Form

I understand my child has been placed on a part-time timetable for a limited period of time. I have discussed the matter fully with the school and I agree - During the period of the part-time timetable to:

• Take responsibility for my child during the hours when not attending school
• Ensure there is supervision of school work during those hours
• Ensure there is a flow of work between school and home for marking and guidance
• Take responsibility for the health and safety of my child when they are not in school

During the period of the part-time timetable the school will:

• Ensure a risk assessment is completed with regards to potential safeguarding, welfare, offending or harmful behaviour
• Ensure a C code is used in the attendance register when the pupil is not in school
• Monitor the effectiveness of the part-time timetable
• Hold a review on the agreed date
• Provide work for the pupil to do whilst at home and mark all work completed

Once completed and before commencing with the part-time /reduced timetable, this form and the notification form must be forwarded to  Pt.tablesschools@stoke.gov.uk 

 If the pupil has an Education Health & Care plan (EHCP) we are asking that the form and the notification form is forwarded to

Pt.tablesSEN@stoke.gov.uk A copy of both forms should be retained by the school and stored with the pupil’s record.

Appendix 3: Reduced Timetable Notification

Notification of Part Time Timetable

All pupils of compulsory school age are entitled to a full-time education. In very exceptional circumstances and where it is in a pupil’s best interest, there may be a need for a temporary part-time timetable to meet their individual needs. A part-time timetable should not be used to manage a pupil’s behaviour. The part-time timetable must only be in place for the shortest time necessary and not be treated as a long-term solution. Any pastoral support programme or other agreement should have a time limit by which point the pupil is expected to attend full time, either at school or at an alternative provision. There should also be formal arrangements in place for regularly reviewing it with the pupil and their parents / carers. In agreeing to a part time timetable, a school has agreed to a pupil being absent from school for part of the week or day and therefore must treat this absence as authorised.

We are asking all settings to complete the notification form and the part-time / reduced timetable consent forms, for every child who is accessing a part-time / reduced timetable and that these are returned to the following mailbox –

Pt.tablesschools@stoke.gov.uk 

If the pupil has an Education Health & Care plan (EHCP) we are asking that settings complete the attached form and send it to the following mailbox - Pt.tablesSEN@stoke.gov.uk 

If you wish to discuss any aspects of this form or the part time timetable please contact the team manager for the Education Welfare Service on 01782 235355 or email Education.Welfare@stoke.gov.uk