Medical Needs Coordinator Sam Bartram Attendance and Exclusions (Education Inclusion Service) Statutory role (as defined by statutory guidance for LAs) 2.5 days per week (Wednesday/Thursdays/alternate Mondays) Contact Based at Professional Development Centre, Norwich

Medical Needs Coordinator Liaise with schools and professionals with the aim of ensuring Norfolk County Council fulfils its statutory duties around children who are unable to attend school due to medical reasons A contact for parents/carers who may have concerns around their child’s specific circumstances A contact for schools requiring support, advice or guidance in relation to specific children or more generally

Schools statutory guidance around medical needs Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions (updated December 2015) An update to the September 2014 guidance recently published New information on page 25 offering advice around information to include in the school’s policy.

Schools statutory guidance around medical needs Duty is on the governing body/proprietor They must ensure that arrangements are in place to support pupils with medical conditions. Children to access and enjoy the same opportunities at school as any other child. Staff to be properly trained to provide the support that pupils need. Staff must not give prescription medicines or undertake healthcare procedures without appropriate training. No child with a medical condition can be denied admission or prevented from taking up a place in school because arrangements for their medical condition have not been made. However, governing bodies do not have to accept a child in school at times where it would be detrimental to the health of that child or others to do so.

Schools statutory guidance around medical needs Schools should develop a policy for supporting pupils with medical conditions that is reviewed regularly and is readily accessible to parents and school staff. Details should be made available on how the school’s policy will be implemented effectively, including a named person who has overall responsibility for policy implementation. Policy should cover individual healthcare plans and who is responsible for their development. These should be reviewed at least annually.

Statutory guidance for local authorities Ensuring a good education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs (January 2013) Local authorities must: Arrange suitable full-time* education (or as much education as the child’s health condition allows) for children of compulsory school age who, because of illness, would otherwise not receive suitable education.

Statutory guidance for local authorities Local authorities should: Provide education for absences of 15 days or more, consecutive or cumulative. Liaise with appropriate medical professionals to ensure minimal delay in arranging appropriate provision for the child. Ensure that the education children receive is of good quality, addresses the individual, and allows them to reintegrate successfully back into school as soon as possible. Have a named officer responsible for the education of children with additional health needs, and parents should know who that person is. Have a written, publicly accessible policy statement on their arrangements to comply with their legal duty towards children with additional health needs.

Norfolk’s medical needs provision The Short Stay School for Norfolk are commissioned to provide this service School makes the referral (using SSSfN referral form) School will need to provide medical evidence (from consultant or GP) indicating the child is medically unfit for school – otherwise SCHOOL remain responsible for providing support Schools plan the work to be delivered by a home tutor (number of hours will vary based on how much the child can manage, determined by medical professional) Provision commences following initial planning meeting. Aim to reintegrate young person to the home school at earliest opportunity – not intended as long term provision Updated medical evidence is required (at least termly)

Norfolk medical needs statement Norfolk County Council statement on supporting children who are unable to attend school because of health needs Issued to schools via MI sheet On local offer website -and-families/send-local- offer/introduction-to-send/roles-of- professionals-in-sen-support/local- authority-medical-needs- coordinator -and-families/send-local- offer/introduction-to-send/roles-of- professionals-in-sen-support/local- authority-medical-needs- coordinator

Other relevant guidance/legislation Links in the statutory guidance to additional legislation to be aware of – pages 26 and 27 Guidance for Norfolk Schools on making referrals for Medical Needs (Short Stay School for Norfolk guidance) – document produced by SSSfN to guide schools through the referral process