Important information from the Department for Education

We would encourage all schools to read this important update from the DfE which includes:

• information about current consultations on restraint and transport
• equipment and guidance to help schools respond in emergency medical situations
• guidance for contingency planning in relation to medicines and medical supplies in the case of a no deal Brexit

Government consultations on restraint and school transport

Please encourage people to respond to the two consultations below, this will help to ensure that the decisions to be taken by Ministers are informed by consideration of the full implications for pupils with special educational needs, disabilities and/or medical conditions.

1. Consultation on restraint 

Focus: To gather views on whether there is a need for guidance on reducing restraint and restrictive interventions for mainstream schools, mainstream post-16 settings and Alternative Provision; and whether guidance should apply to a wider cohort of children and young people with SEND.  

Closing date: 17 October 2019.

>>>FIND OUT MORE AND RESPOND<<<

2. Consultation on school transport for pupils aged under 16

Focus: Updating the statutory guidance for local authorities on home to school travel and transport (for pupils aged under 16). Specific issues touched on in the guidance and the consultation document include travel training, behaviour during travel and support during travel for pupils with medical conditions.

Closing date: 31 October 2019.

>>>FIND OUT MORE AND RESPOND<<<

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Support for medical conditions

1. A potential No Deal Brexit – contingency planning over medicines and medical supplies

The advice to schools is to continue with their normal arrangements for medicines and medical supplies to support pupils with health conditions. The government is working closely with the NHS and its suppliers to help ensure that supplies of medicines and medical devices can continue to flow into the UK without significant delays if the UK were to leave the EU without a deal. 

If schools have any concerns about being able to meet statutory duties relating to SEND, health and safety, or safeguarding, they should work with their local authority or academy trust to ensure there are robust contingency plans in place.

>>>CLICK FOR FURTHER GUIDANCE - BREXIT: INFORMATION FOR THE HEALTH AND CARE SECTOR<<<

The following arrangements can help schools respond in medical emergencies.

2. Medical supplies/medicines available to schools

a) Anaphylaxis: Adrenaline Auto-Injector devices

Since autumn 2017 schools in England have been able to buy adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) devices from a pharmacist without a prescription for emergency use on children who are at risk of anaphylaxis but whose own device is not available or not working. 

Government guidance advises schools on the supply, storage, care and disposal of AAIs, including ensuring on a monthly basis that AAIs are present and in date, and that replacement AAIs are obtained when expiry dates approach.

>>>VIEW THE GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF ADRENALINE AUTO-INJECTORS IN SCHOOLS<<<

b) Defibrillators

Schools and other education settings are encouraged to purchase a defibrillator as part of their first-aid equipment and can access a deal with the NHS Supply Chain to buy defibrillators at a reduced cost.

>>>VIEW THE GUIDANCE ON AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (AEDS) IN SCHOOLS<<< 

c) Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine programme for boys

As of 1 September the HPV vaccine is now being offered to boys (as well as girls), as part of the routine schools based schedule.

A Vaccine Update special on HPV was published in July 2019. Further information for parents of year 8 children and the children themselves can be found at the links below:

>>>HPV UNIVERSAL VACCINATION LEAFLET<<<
>>>VIDEO: WHAT IS THE YEAR 8 HPV VACCINE?<<<
 

For further information about any of the above, please email the Department for Education’s SEND Team on SEN.IMPLEMENTATION@education.gov.uk.