Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure support staff in schools are supported in handling the (a) complex medical needs and (b) behavioural issues of children in schools.

Support staff in schools perform a valuable role and the department is grateful for their important contribution to schools across the country.

The statutory guidance ‘Supporting pupils with medical conditions at school’ makes clear what is expected of schools in taking reasonable steps to fulfil their legal obligations and to meet the individual needs of pupils with medical conditions. This guidance is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3.

Schools should ensure they are aware of any pupils with medical conditions and have policies and processes in place to ensure these can be well managed. Policies should set out how staff will be supported in carrying out their role to support pupils, including how training needs are assessed and how training is commissioned and provided. Any member of school staff providing support to a pupil with medical needs should have received suitable training.

All schools are required to have a behaviour policy that outlines effective strategies to promote good behaviour and specifies the sanctions for misbehaviour. This policy must be communicated to all pupils, school staff, including support staff, and parents to ensure everyone is aware of the high standards of behaviour expected. The behaviour policy should also reflect the school's culture and be supported by all staff and senior leaders, including the headteacher.

The department is establishing up to 90 new regional improvement for standards and excellence Attendance and Behaviour Hubs. Hubs will be led by schools with excellent attendance and behaviour practice who will work closely with other schools to help improve their approach.