Assess - Medical needs

• A more detailed assessment of the pupil’s sensory, physical and medical needs may be needed and the effect they have on learning and access to the curriculum needs to be considered. This could be through observations and assessments in school and/or collating information from health professionals.

• More specialist medical services may be involved, such as the Diabetic Nurse Specialist or Physiotherapist. Please refer to the 'Using Specialist Support Services' section for relevant referral pathways.

• As all children are different, this assessment is crucial to identify the child’s specific needs in order to ensure that the intervention and support is effective.

• A multidisciplinary approach may be required so information, assessments and recommendations are shared.  All relevant professionals need to be invited to regular review meetings and telephone conversations or reports such be provided if attendance is not possible to ensure that the support provided is the most effective.

• Communication between home, school and medical professionals needs to be transparent and based on mutual respect to ensure a consistent approach.

• A delegated risk assessment may be needed which clearly outlines the responsibilities of the school and the health professionals:

  • It is the responsibility of the CCG to ensure the school are capable of meeting the child’s needs
    
    
  • It is the responsibility of the school to provide the capacity to meet the needs.

Other information available:

• Checklists maybe useful here to pinpoint areas of concern for example, dyspraxia checklists.
  
  
• If the child/young person has had an acquired brain injury, please see NASEN's mini guide on Child Acquired Brain Injury.