Education of children and young people with medical needs
This guidance covers the education of pupils who are unable to attend normal full time schooling for medical reasons. Schools may need to seek the support of the local authority for pupils, who are temporarily unable to attend school and who:
- are physically ill
- are injured
- have mental health problems
- are pregnant and suffering from ill health
Education Access Team
The Education Access Team fulfils the Local Authority’s (LA), statutory and strategic responsibilities to provide education for vulnerable pupils of compulsory school age by co-ordinating educational provisions and services for pupils who:
- have been permanently excluded from school
- cannot access school due to medical conditions
- are being admitted to a new school under the Local Authority In Year Fair Access Protocol
- are at risk of being permanently excluded
Referral to the service
All referrals to the Medical Education Team must come directly from the child’s school, using the Medical Education Referral Form (Word, 78KB). Schools fill in Part A and this must be supported by medical evidence from one of the following health professionals:
- consultant paediatrician or adolescent psychiatrist
- consultant child psychiatrist
- hospital consultant
Please note
Supporting evidence from a General Practitioner alone cannot be accepted. The health professional will need to complete Part B of the referral form and return it to the referring school.
Further information
More information can be found on the Gov.UK website and in our Medical Needs policy document.
Where to find help
- Email: MedicalNeeds@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
- By post: Education Access Team (Education Infrastructure, 3rd floor, Nicholas House) Cheshire West and Chester Council, 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BE
- Telephone: 01244 972825