Five resources to help your child with epilepsy thrive at school

Whether you child is starting school or returning for their next year of learning, it can be a stressful time for the whole family if they are navigating life with epilepsy. But your child can thrive at school, and the staff can be real allies in making that happen. We share some of our best tools to help you make that happen.

Individualised healthcare plan

This is a written plan with information about your child’s epilepsy and the support they may need at school. Not every child with epilepsy would need one, but it is a good idea to have one for those who might be affected by their epilepsy at school.

The plan should include what kind of seizures your child has and what first aid is needed for each type. It should also include what medication your child takes and any side effects from the medication or following seizures, such as tiredness or difficulty concentrating. The plan should also state what support your child might need at school. If your child has prolonged seizures, the plan should also have information on what to do in emergency situations.

Each child’s healthcare plan would be unique to them, so there’s no set way to do it. Your child’s school should work with you to write your plan for your child. Health professionals, such as epilepsy specialist nurses or your GP could also be involved.

Your child’s school should review the healthcare plan yearly and adapt it if your child’s epilepsy has changed.

You can download our template to help you get started.

Rescue medication

If your child has prolonged seizures or cluster seizures (three or more seizures in 24 hours) and is at risk of going into status epilepticus, they may be prescribed rescue medicine. The two main types of rescue medicines are buccal midazolam, administered in between the person’s gums and cheek, and rectal diazepam, administered into the bottom.

Anyone giving rescue medicine to someone in an emergency needs to be trained to do so. An epilepsy specialist nurse or community nurse can give this training. They may be able to deliver training to you and others who may need to give rescue medication, such as school staff. Schools may also be able to arrange their own training through their school nurse or local community nursing team.

We have more information on buccal midazolam, including a list of rescue medicine training providers.

Teacher training

Teachers can help support children with epilepsy in many ways. Good communication with the children’s parents can help them identify the different types of seizures a child has and what support they can provide to help children thrive at school.

Epilepsy Action has a free course for teachers, ‘Advanced epilepsy for schools’, to help teachers understand how to support children with epilepsy. It covers laws around epilepsy, how the condition affects learning, behaviour and wellbeing, a look at safety and inclusion and more on putting together individualised healthcare plans.

School trip checklist

Children should be allowed to take part in all school trips and activities, unless heir doctor says it would be unsafe and there is no way to make it safe. It could be against the law to deny children access to activities without a good reason.

School trip or activity organisers should complete a risk assessment for your child to help ensure they can take part fully and safely. This may include being flexible, and making reasonable adjustments to support the child.

Epilepsy Action has a checklist for school trips that can help to complete a risk assessment.

Here to help

If you are a parent worrying about their child with epilepsy starting school, or a teacher wanting to know how to help their pupils thrive, we’re here for you. Our helpline is here to answer your questions and offer more information. You can get in touch by calling, online chatting or emailing now.