Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions

The statutory guidance in this document is intended to help governing bodies meet their legal responsibilities and sets out the arrangements they will be expected to make, based on good practice.

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

Who is this guidance for?

The statutory sections of this guidance apply to:

  • Governing bodies of maintained schools (excluding maintained nursery schools).
  • Management committees of Pupil Rreferral Units (PRUs).
  • Proprietors of academies, including alternative provision academies (not including 16 to 19 academies).

The non-statutory advice is provided to assist and guide:

  • Schools, academies, (including alternative provision academies) and PRUs
  • Local authorities
  • Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership (NHS GM ICS) 
  • Anyone who has an interest in promoting the wellbeing and academic attainment of children with medical conditions, including alternative provision, for example independent schools
  • Parents/carers and pupils.
  • Health service providers

See statutory guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions at school on GOV.UK.

Key points
  • Pupils at school with medical conditions should be properly supported so 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 effectively supported.
The role of governing bodies, proprietors and management committees
  • The governing body must ensure arrangements are in place to support pupils with medical conditions. In doing so they should ensure that such children can access and enjoy the same opportunities at school as any other child.
  • Governing bodies should ensure arrangements they set up include details on how the school’s policy will be implemented effectively, including a named person who has overall responsibility for policy implementation.
  • Governing bodies must make arrangements to support pupils with medical conditions in school, including making sure a policy for supporting pupils with medical conditions in school is developed and implemented.
  • Governing bodies should ensure sufficient staff have received suitable training and are competent before they take on responsibility to support children with medical conditions.
What legislation is this guidance issued under?
  • Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on governing bodies of maintained schools, proprietors of academies and management committees of PRUs to make arrangements for supporting pupils at their school with medical conditions.
  • On 1 September 2014 a new duty come into force for governing bodies to make arrangements to support pupils at school with medical conditions.

Page last reviewed: 31/07/2023