Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with school leaders on the effectiveness of individual healthcare plans in schools for children with (a) epilepsy, (b) asthma, (c) a history of anaphylaxis, (d) severe allegories and (e) type 1 diabetes.

Statutory guidance, ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions’, recommends the use of individual healthcare plans as good practice. They can help schools support pupils with medical conditions, providing clarity about what needs to be done, when and by whom. The school, healthcare professionals and parents should agree, based on evidence, when a healthcare plan would be appropriate. ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions’ can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ce6a72e40f0b620a103bd53/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions.pdf.

The department will keep the statutory guidance under review as we take forward the commitment to delivering an inclusive mainstream system.

The department engages closely with school leaders and their representative organisations on a wide range of issues, including supporting pupils with medical conditions.