Do you teach a young person with epilepsy? We’re here to help you understand epilepsy and how to keep your students living with epilepsy safe and included at school.
Children and young people have the right to education, to play and take part in childhood activities. But we know many children and young people living with epilepsy across the UK are being left out.
We campaign for students with epilepsy to be safe and included at school and college. We provide education professionals with information, training, and resources to support students in their care. We help young people, and their parents understand their rights.
We support educators to understand epilepsy and provide them with the information, training and resources to help children and young people with epilepsy to be safe and included at school.
Our free, on demand, eLearning courses are designed to increase the knowledge and confidence of professionals in schools and higher education.
Resources to help educators build awareness, understanding and inclusion across the school.
Access essential questionnaires and forms for parents and carers, and professionals, who care for children and young people with epilepsy.
Important information, guidance and educational strategies for supporting children and young people with epilepsy to ensure they are safe and included in all aspects of school and college life.
If a child in your care is struggling because of their epilepsy, you can refer them for support by filling in this form.
Every child and young person has the right to education and play. Being fully included is key to achieving their ambitions and dreams. It sets them up for a life of stability and financial security, equality of opportunity, self-dependency, and confidence to be an active member of society.
Education and play is vital in developing a person’s personality, talents and abilities. They meet other children and young people, make friends and join social and sport groups. It is where they can access information and express their views and feelings.
Due to common misunderstandings about epilepsy, and what people mistakenly think it means someone can and can’t do, children and young people have been met with unnecessary barriers preventing them from doing all the things they are capable of. They often find themselves excluded from studies and exams. Missing out of sport, trips and social gatherings.
Unaddressed, this can isolate them from important developmental and life experiences and impact their mental health. As they grow up it could limit their social mobility, financial independence, and career progression. We’re here to help!
It is a schools’ responsibility to make reasonable adjustments, with the right support, understanding and an individualised approach, so that students can be safely included in all aspects of school and college life.
Epilepsy is not only about the seizures. Epilepsy can have an impact on learning, behaviour and mental health. Epilepsy can affect each person differently. To keep a child or young person safe and included we must understand their seizure type, their triggers, their medication side-effects. Here are some examples of what could affect them:
Seizure medications (ASMs) can help control seizures, but they may also come with side effects such as drowsiness, changes in mood and behaviour, difficulty concentrating and memory problems.
People at risk of prolonged seizures may be prescribed emergency rescue medication. This could mean that members of the education team need to be trained on how to administer the medication, to keep them safe and included whilst in their care.
Epilepsy can affect a student’s attendance. Sometimes they may need to take time off for medical appointments. Also, it may take time for them to recover from a seizure, feeling exhausted and unwell, or they may have been injured.
Memory, reading, spelling, numeracy and sequencing might be especially challenging for a student with epilepsy. They may have difficulties solving problems and organising, including planning and structuring work. They may have shorter attention spans, or experience absences that may look like a lack of concentration. They may need help in remembering homework, appointments and bringing the right equipment and kit to school. Find out more about impact on learning and behaviour.
Epilepsy is not a mental illness, yet many children and young people with epilepsy struggle with their mental health and wellbeing experiencing anxiety, loneliness and even depression. Find out more about the impact of epilepsy on mental health and wellbeing.
All students with epilepsy should have a current Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP). This allows schools and colleges to understand what epilepsy means for them as an individual and how they should be supported, so they can reach their potential.
An IHP is focused specifically on managing health conditions within the school environment. They are an opportunity for conversation between key stakeholders, such as the student, their parents, medical professionals and the school or college. IHPs are not funded or legally binding, but schools have a duty to support students with health problems. IHPs can be implemented quickly once a health need is identified, without a formal statutory process.
To find out more about Individual Healthcare plans
We help young people, and their parents understand their rights and find the support they need.
School, college and uni can be tough enough without epilepsy to deal with, but you don't have to face it alone. Here, you’ll find everything you need to succeed, from finding out how your epilepsy may affect your learning, to understanding your rights at school.
If your child has epilepsy, you'll find everything you need to know about their education from early years settings, through school to further and higher education.You’ll also find information and resources on medical conditions, equality and safeguarding, training for teachers and pupils, and exam support.
In each part of the UK there are different systems in place to support children with special educational needs. This section gives an overview of the different systems in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, with links to additional information and resources.
Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs) are a lifeline. They help school staff understand each child’s epilepsy, ensure their safety, and pave the way for full inclusion in school life.
We are campaigning for every child with epilepsy across the UK to have an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) in place at school.
Our Youth Support team works with young people and their families to help them through their diagnosis and beyond, to better understand their rights, as well as helping them get access to the right services and support.
Listening to and understanding the lived experiences of children and young people with epilepsy.
The Channel connects you with people who get it. A digital space for young people, aged 13+, who are living with epilepsy, for them to to share, learn and find support.
Do you have a question about our work? Please click on the link to find out the best person to email or call.
