For the first time in over a decade the Department for Education has published updated draft guidance on supporting children and young people with medical conditions.
Young Epilepsy has been closely involved throughout the review process, ensuring the voices and experiences of children with epilepsy are represented.
As one of the most common long-term health conditions affecting children, epilepsy should be clearly understood and consistently supported in every education setting.
Our Understand My Epilepsy campaign calls for every child with epilepsy to have an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) for school so their epilepsy is understood, and they can be safe and included.
Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs) help education staff recognise different seizure types, respond in an emergency and understand each young person’s unique needs.
Why this matters for children with epilepsy
- The guidance has now made clear that any child with a health condition, like epilepsy, that needs supportive arrangements should have an IHP.
- The strengthened guidance now includes a specific section on health conditions such as epilepsy, shaped with Young Epilepsy’s input, which reinforces that IHPs are essential for children and young people with epilepsy in education.
- The draft guidance includes more practical “how to” detail, and cross references safeguarding and equality duties.
- Education settings are now expected to publish their medical conditions policy on their website. This helps young people, parents and staff have a clear understanding of how support is managed.
- Previously only covering schools, the guidance now expands to colleges and early years settings for the first time.
- The guidance also signposts education professionals to the information and support that Young Epilepsy provides.
Catherine Hodder, Head of Voice, Policy and Influencing at Young Epilepsy, said:
“Updated and practical guidance is a welcome step towards making sure children with epilepsy are safe and included in education. Because epilepsy affects every young person differently, we know Individual Healthcare Plans are vital in helping staff understand their needs and respond appropriately.
We’re pleased to see more clarity in the statutory guidance around which children should have Individual Healthcare Plans, recognising how essential they are.
We welcome the opportunity we’ve had to feed into the draft guidance, and we’re pleased to see it broadened to include early years settings and colleges.
We hope this review continues to move us closer to a future where all education settings consistently recognise and support long-term health conditions, so no young person’s epilepsy is misunderstood or overlooked. We urge young people and families to share their views in the consultation.”
What happens next?
The final version of the guidance will only be confirmed after the public consultation period.
The guidance is now open for an eightweek consultation until 1 May 2026.
We strongly encourage young people, parents and professionals to take part in the consultation and share their views.
Have your say here:
Medical conditions at school: statutory guidance - Department for Education - Citizen Space
Young Epilepsy will continue to advocate for strong, statutory protections to ensure that no child’s epilepsy is overlooked, and that every education setting is equipped to support their safety, wellbeing and full participation.
For more information about supporting children and young people with epilepsy in education - including advice on IHPs, seizure plans and staff training - visit our Education Support pages or contact our team.
