Every young person with epilepsy in school should have an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP). This page covers what an IHP should include to enable the young person to be fully supported in school and the benefits of having one in place.
What is an individual healthcare plan?
Every young person with epilepsy in school should have an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP), setting out information about their condition and the support they need to be safe and included at school.
The IHP should describe their seizures, how their condition is best managed, and the impact it has on their learning and behaviour, including any anti-seizure medication side effects. A clear emergency protocol must also be included, including when an ambulance should be called.
Download our template Individual Healthcare Plan by clicking here
The IHP should be developed jointly between the school, the young person, their parents or carers, and healthcare professionals. The responsibility for its implementation remains with the school and the IHP should clearly set out who will deliver which aspects of support.
As epilepsy can be a fluctuating condition, IHPs should be reviewed annually, or sooner if circumstances have changed. Parents should be reminded to keep the school informed of any changes in seizure activity, medication or behaviour.
An IHP is needed even if a young person’s seizures are currently controlled by treatment, because seizures may reoccur and epilepsy may still be having an impact on the young person’s learning and behaviour.
What should an IHP include?
As a minimum, an IHP should include:
- The young person’s epilepsy diagnosis
- A brief description of their seizure type(s) and any signs that a seizure might be about to occur
- Any known seizure triggers relevant to the young person
- Basic management of seizures/seizure first aid including any follow-up care needed
- Current medication, including dosage
- Emergency protocol
- Impact on learning and behaviour (utilising the ABLE Tool)
- Circumstances that call for additional consideration / risk assessment
- Reasonable adjustments required, including in the physical environment, curriculum, exams, etc.
- Additional training required, which may include administration of emergency medication
- Written permission from the parents and headteacher for any medication to be administered during the school day / school activities
- Communication protocol – who needs to know about the young person’s epilepsy and what they need to know
- Contact information
