Health care

Supporting children at school with a medical condition

Individual Health Care Plan

An Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) is a document which is drawn up involving people who may be required to contribute to a child's care whilst at school. This could include, but not limited to, child, parent, GP, health professional, head teacher, class teacher, care or support staff or any member of staff who might need to provide medical care or emergency care to the child the plan is in place for. IHP's do not have to be created for every child, they're only needed for children with complex medical needs. The aim is to ensure that schools know how to support the child effectively and to provide clarity about what needs to be done, when and by whom.

IHPs are designed for children with both physical and mental health conditions. It details what medical needs a child has and how they should be treated. The Children and Families Act 2014 ensures that children with medical needs are supported to give them the best quality of life at school. Some children with medical conditions may be considered to be disabled under the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010. Where this is the case governing bodies must comply with their duties under that Act.

Plans should be kept confidential and should be reviewed at a date set by parents and school staff in charge of the child's care plan. It is recommended that plans are reviewed at least once a year, depending on the child's specific medical needs.

There is not a strict set of criteria which determines whether or not your child should have an IHP, it is up to the school's Headteacher to decide if they need one. Common medical needs that require an IHP are; asthma, epilepsy, diabetes and allergies, but there are many other conditions where a child may require a plan.

IHPs should be made with the child's best interest in mind. Each child is an individual who copes differently with various medical conditions. One child with the same medical condition as another may require an IHP whereas the other child doesn't.

An IHP should include:

  • Child's details: name, address, date of birth, class
  • Details about their condition: description, symptoms
  • Daily requirements – what medication they require and dosage
  • Who will administer medication – who provides support and care
  • Possible side effects of medication and how to manage these
  • Family Contact information – names, contact numbers, address, relationship to the child
  • GP and Hospital contact numbers and names
  • Medical emergency – what action to take, who to contact
  • Date of when the plan was created and next review date
  • IHPs should aim to provide all necessary information about how to best care for the child and what to do in emergency situations.

Individual healthcare plans are not the same as Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which set out the support needed by children with special educational needs, although some children may have both types of plan.

Further information about supporting pupils at school with medical conditions can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Mental health

  • A&E; If your life is at risk and you feel unable to keep yourself safe, you need an emergency service. A&E departments are open 24 hours a day or you can call 999.
  • CYP Haven mental health crisis service for young people aged 10 to 18. 4pm to 8.30pm weekdays, 12pm to 6pm weekends.
  • Extended Hope is for young people aged 11 plus in a mental health crisis. 01483 517898 operates 5pm to 11pm 7 days a week.
  • The Mental Health Crisis helpline (sabp.nhs.uk) is a telephone service offering support to those who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Lines are open 24 hours, seven days a week, call 0800 915 4644 or text 07717 989024.

Mindworks (CAMHS) Single Point of Access

A single point of contact for referrals to Surrey and Borders Partnership services is called the Mindworks (CAMHS) Single Point of Access.

Referrals can be made by all health, education and social care practitioners, for example GPs and teachers. If a child or young person is already known to a team, please contact them directly on 0300 222 5755. They are open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday and then 9am to 12pm on a Saturday. The service is not open on bank holidays or Sundays.

  • Mindworks Community Teams work across Surrey, promoting good mental health and provide assessment and treatment to children and young people up to the age of 18 with mental health concerns.
  • Mindworks Eating Disorders Service, a community eating disorder service for children and young people age 0-18.
  • Mindworks Sexual Trauma Assessment Recovery and Support (STARS) for young people who have been affected by sexual abuse.
  • Kooth, a online counselling, self-help and moderated peer support for young people age 10-18.
  • Learning Space, early intervention for young people age 5+.
  • Relate, a counselling service for 10-18-year-olds with mild to moderate mental health in West Surrey.
  • B-eat, an eating disorders support service.
  • YoungMinds, children and young people's mental health charity.
  • Childline, providing advice and support about a range of issues.
  • Mind, mental health charity.
  • Papyrus, a charity for the prevention of young suicide.
  • Samaritans work to make sure there is always someone there for anyone who needs someone.
  • SHOUT 85258 is a free, confidential 24/7 text support service.
  • Stem4, a charity that supports positive mental health in teenagers.
  • Dallaglio Rugby Works, supporting young people out of education or in Pupil Referral Units (PRU) (UK wide).
  • Heart Heroes, supporting families of children with heart condition both the child and their siblings (England and Wales).

  • Eikon, providing wellbeing support service in schools.

  • Jigsaw provides information, advice and guidance to help support bereaved children and young people and those facing death of a loved one.
  • Child Bereavement UK offers support, guidance and information to families when a child or young person is facing bereavement. Call 08000 28840.
  • Winston Wish is a charity that supports children and young people after the death of a family member. Winston's Wish offers freephone support, email service and drop in advice. Call 08088 02002.

Bereavement by suicide

A Surrey and Borders Partnership booklet on Finding Your Way is a directory of suicide bereavement services.

Surrey Suicide bereavement support service is a service for families affected by Suicide.