Individual healthcare plan

A written plan for a pupil with a medical condition. Schools have a legal duty to support them.

What it is

An individual healthcare plan sets out a pupil's medical condition, the support needed at school, who does what, medication and dosages, and what to do in an emergency.

Where it applies

Any pupil with a long-term medical condition — asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, allergies, a heart condition. It is separate from an EHCP, though a child can have both.

How it works

Governing bodies must make arrangements to support pupils with medical conditions, under section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014, and must have a policy. Statutory guidance expects a plan where one is needed, developed with the family and relevant health professionals.

Staff cannot be required to administer medication, but the school must ensure sufficient trained staff are available.

What you can ask for

Ask for a plan in writing if your child has a condition needing support, and ask who has been trained.

Ask what happens on trips, at lunchtime and with supply staff — those are the gaps that show up.

If the school says it cannot support the condition, ask them to point to the part of the statutory guidance that says so. Usually there is none.

Where to get help

The school's medical conditions policy, your child's specialist nurse, and the relevant condition charity — Asthma + Lung UK, Diabetes UK, Epilepsy Action and Allergy UK all publish school templates.