Education of children and young people with medical needs
Some children and young people are unable to attend normal full-time schooling for medical reasons.
Schools may need to seek the support of the local authority for pupils, who are temporarily unable to attend school and who:
- are physically ill
- are injured
- have mental health problems
Accessing the Medical Needs Service
Parents can ask their child's school for support from the Medical Needs Service.
Schools can make referrals to the tuition team: medical needs service using the Live Well portal - Children, young people and families portal (cheshireeast.gov.uk)
All referrals must be supported by one of the following medical professionals using the medical evidence form below (this must be uploaded into the portal at the time of referral).
- consultant paediatrician or adolescent psychiatrist
- consultant child psychiatrist
- hospital consultant
- CAMHS at tier 3 or above
We cannot accept supporting evidence from a General Practitioner alone.
Schools will also be required to share the ‘information for pupils’ and ‘the one-minute guide’ with the child and their parent(s)/ guardians. Schools must ensure that the ‘pupil voice’ form and ‘strengths and difficulties questionnaire’ (SDQ) are completed and uploaded with the referral. (The SDQ may be completed by the child, their parent or a professional, who knows the child well.)
Schools can find further information about the Medical Needs Service on ChESS.
Contact us
Page last reviewed: 30 September 2022
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