In the UK, Epilepsy Action recommends that all pupils with epilepsy should have an IHP even if their seizures are well controlled. The IHP should be written by a healthcare professional, such as a school nurse or epilepsy specialist nurse, and a member of school staff. The pupil and their parent or carer should also be involved. The IHP should include information about:
- Their seizure types
- Their seizure triggers
- Whether they have any warnings or auras.
- How long their seizures last.
- What happens before, during and after a seizure
- What, if any, first aid is needed.
- Which epilepsy medicines they take
- Whether any emergency medicines are prescribed, and how they are given
- Whether they take any other medicines for other conditions.
This information is confidential and should only be available to members of staff who work with the pupil.
IHPs should be reviewed and updated at least once a year. Any changes needed between reviews, for example change in seizures or medicine, should be recorded as soon as possible.
Epilepsy Action has information about
- Emergency medicines
- Epilepsy medicines they take
- First aid
- Warnings or auras
- Seizure triggers
Epilepsy Action has an Epilepsy policy for schools which is an ideal resource to develop a whole school policy. It contains template forms for an IHP.
We can provide references and information on the source material we use to write our epilepsy advice and information pages. Please contact our Epilepsy Helpline by email at helpline@epilepsy.org.uk.
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Updated February 2012To be reviewed February 2014
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