Health Services: Pupils
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the NHS takes to provide healthcare to pupils with medical conditions in schools.
Answered by Mrs Sharon Hodgson
The Government is committed to delivering the healthiest generation of children ever. Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on maintained schools, academies, and pupil referral units in England to make arrangements for supporting pupils with medical conditions. The accompanying statutory guidance makes clear to schools what is expected of them in taking reasonable steps to fulfil their legal obligations and to meet the individual needs of pupils with medical conditions.
The Department for Education is consulting on updating this statutory guidance which will significantly strengthen how schools support pupils with medical conditions. The consultation is available at the following link:
In addition, the National Health Service provides targeted support through school and community nursing, and through Mental Health Support Teams in schools.
On 5 February, Standardising community health services – core component descriptions was published, to support integrated care boards in the strategic commissioning of community health services, and is available at the following link:
This document outlines the core responsibilities of special school and community children’s nursing services, including their role in supporting children with medical conditions to access education settings.
The Government also committed to rolling out Mental Health Support Teams to cover all pupils and learners in education settings in England by 2029. Mental Health Support Teams provide early access to evidence-based interventions for common mental health needs, especially anxiety and depression.
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