The purpose of the educational provision for children who cannot attend school because of health needs is to ensure that the children and young people will receive educational provision which is appropriate to their circumstances, and which will be delivered flexibly to accommodate their changing health needs.
The eligibility criteria to access this support is for children and young people:
• statutory school age
• permanent residents of Redcar and Cleveland
• not in school for 15 days for more, whether consecutive or cumulative, due to ill health
• where the health need and necessity for absence has been validated as necessary by a medical doctor
• will not receive a suitable full-time education unless the Council plan for this.
Health problems include physical illnesses, injuries and clinically defined mental health problems. Suitable medical evidence will be required. This would include details of their health problem. How long the condition is expected to last and the outcome, and a treatment plan. This must be provided by a suitable medical professional, normally a hospital consultant. However, where specific medial evidence is not available quickly the Service Provider shall liaise with medical professionals such as the child’s GP or CAMHS so that provision of education is not delayed. We may ask CAMHS professional working with the child to complete a FIT Note which will be sent out after panel has discussed the case. This will state whether the child is ‘unfit to attend’ school.
The education provided shall be tailored to the child's age, aptitude, and ability (including any special educational needs) and any other individual needs (such as health, behaviour, social and emotional needs, and any disability).
In September 24, we will use River Tees Multi-Academy Trust Hospital and Community Teaching to provide education to children and young people of statutory school age who cannot attend school because of health needs. This provision will be known as Hospital and Community Teaching.
RTMAT will provide teaching within their Hospital School for children who are too unwell to attend their home school but are able to attend an alternative setting. Children who are offered a place at this setting will be dual registered with RTMAT and home school.
RTMAT will also provide Community Teaching for children who are too unwell to attend an educational setting.
Hospital and Community Teaching will:
• liaise with the pupil’s home school to request baseline assessment information and curriculum plans; and
• monitor and review the provision monthly to ensure that it continues to meet the pupil’s needs. The aim of the provision shall be to ensure, as far as is possible in the context of the child's health needs, that:
• pupils make good progress in their education and do not fall behind their peers, especially in the key subjects of English, Maths and Science.
• disruption to learning is minimised and that there is continuity of education provision with their school curriculum.
• the quality of education provided is good and meets the child's individual learning and other needs.
• pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum and continue with subject options.
• pupils can obtain qualifications (as appropriate to their age and abilities).
• pupils can reintegrate successfully back into school and that this takes place as soon as their health permits; and
• pupils stay connected with their school.
Children will have different needs, to which their provision shall be tailored. However, as a guideline, the education provision shall include up to 5 hours of one-to-one tuition. This shall take place in an appropriate location e.g., at home, in hospital, or in a local community facility. The education provided will include setting of work by the home school and the use of electronic media (including e-learning).
RTMAT Hospital and Community Teaching shall employ staff who have appropriate qualifications and/or experience to:
• undertake specialist assessments of the child to accurately identify need, inform teaching and learning strategies and monitor progress
• understand the social and emotional impact of the pupil’s needs building on strategies to build self-esteem, resilience and develop social skills, friendships, and independence.
• on exit, share knowledge and understanding of the pupil to ensure mainstream colleagues understand needs, teaching and learning strategies required to ensure pupils make good progress.
• support reintegration to the next setting.
Referrals for Hospital and Community Teaching should be made through Resource and Support Panel for children without an EHCP or through the Multi-Agency Education, Health, and Care Panel for children with an ECHP (Education Health Care Plan). Paperwork must include medical evidence from a suitably qualified medical professional which states that the child is too unwell to attend school due to a medical condition. This should be provided to school by parent/carer.
Referring schools will be contacted after the relevant panel with the outcome of the panel and with information on next steps. Tuition can remain in place whilst the child is unable to attend school. Often the learner is unable to access this amount due to the difficulties they may be having but the package will be personalised to what they are able to access.
For more information please see links to government guidance below:
Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions
Arranging education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs