Sending your child off to school when they have a medical condition can feel daunting. An individual healthcare plan (IHP) is what makes that possible. It puts everything school staff need to know in one clear document, so your child is safe, included and able to get on with being a child, leaving you with peace of mind to get on with your day.

What is an individual healthcare plan?

It is a document that records important information about your child’s medical condition outlining the support they need.

The best IHPs are produced when the child, parent/carers, health professionals and school staff work together.

Your child’s medical condition is unique to them, therefore it’s important you are part of planning for life at school. You and your child’s medical team can provide important information to the school on how to make sure your child is safe.

Who actually writes the plan?

You don’t have to write it yourself. Your job is to make sure the school has everything they need: details of the condition, current medication and your child’s triggers and warning signs.

What the plan should cover

• Written Permission: Consent from parents/carers and the Headteacher for medication administration or self-medication.
• Medication and Practical Care: This includes precise medication dosages, timing, equipment, procedures, side-effects, and storage requirements. It also covers practicalities such as access to food/drink, testing facilities, and environmental adjustments like avoiding crowded corridors.
• Testing Protocols: Procedures for any required medical testing and clear action plans based on results.
• Core Medical Information: Details regarding the medical condition should include specific triggers, signs, symptoms, and required treatments.
• Educational and Emotional Support: Plans should address the child’s wider needs, outlining how absences and missed lessons will be managed. They must include arrangements for exams (such as extra time), rest periods, and access to counselling for their emotional well-being. The plan should also document the specific training staff have received to ensure they are confident supporting the child.
• Staff Training and Responsibilities: Identification of the designated support staff, their training needs, and confirmation of their proficiency from a healthcare professional. Cover arrangements must be documented for when the primary staff member is unavailable.
• Emergency and Contingency Procedures: Clear guidance on what to do in an emergency, including contact details and lead clinician protocols. This ensures all school staff are recognising an emergency and acting swiftly.

Further Practical Considerations

• Physical Education: Requirements for care before, during, or after PE lessons.
• Storage and Access: Locations for medication and supplies, including check schedules and responsible personnel.
• Nutrition: Specific timings for meals/snacks and any required assistance, such as priority in the lunch queue.
• Off-site Activities: Risk assessments and procedures for school trips, including overnight stays.

Note: This list is not exhaustive. The IHP should include any other relevant documents or specific care aspects unique to the child’s condition.

Templates and resources

To give you a guide to what an Individual Health care plan looks like the Health Conditions in School Alliance provides excellent guides and templates to assist schools in creating these documents. You can access the template parts via the links below:

• • Individual Healthcare Plan full requirements
  • Individual Healthcare Plan blank template to fill in 

Once the plan is organised and all parties (parents, school staff, and specialists) are satisfied, the document must be formally signed. This includes signatures from the parent/carer, relevant school staff, and a healthcare professional to ensure legal and clinical accountability.

Your role as a parent or carer

Alongside sharing information, there are a few things that stay with you:

• Keep everything in date. Check expiry dates on adrenaline auto-injectors (such as EpiPens) and asthma inhalers. Most manufacturers run free expiry alert services, register your device and they’ll remind you when it’s due for replacement.
• Keep school informed. Tell them promptly about any change to your child’s condition, medication or treatment.
• Restock when asked. If school uses your child’s medication, replace it straight away.

Keeping the plan up to date

Children grow and their medical conditions often change as they age. Correspondingly, the help a child requires is likely to evolve, and their Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) must reflect these changing needs. Plans should be reviewed annually at a minimum, or whenever there is a shift in the management of the condition. If there are any changes to medication or treatment let school know as soon as possible. If your child has a hospital admission or needs time at home because of their condition, arrange a meeting before they go back to school to up date the IHP and pass on anything you feel is important for school to know.

An effective IHP must clearly define the review date, the individuals authorised to alter the plan, and the specific process for conducting reviews.

About us

First Aid for Life provide award-winning first aid training tailored to your needs – Please visit our site and learn more about our practical and online courses. It is vital to keep your skills current and refreshed. We are currently providing essential training for individuals and groups across the UK. In addition, we have a great range of online courses. These are ideal as refreshers for regulated qualifications or as Appointed Person qualifications.

You can attend a fully regulated Practical or Online First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency. Please visit firstaidforlife.org.uk or call 0208 675 4036 for more information about our courses.

First Aid for Life is a multi-award-winning, fully regulated first aid training provider. Our trainers are highly experienced medical, health and emergency services professionals who will tailor the training to your needs. Courses for groups or individuals at our venue or yours.

First Aid for Life provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. First Aid for Life is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken on this information.

Author: Emma Hammett