Physical Health is a significant factor that can impact on schools attendance.
Chronic Illness
Children and young people with chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes and/or epilepsy may frequently miss school due to medical appointments, hospital stays and/or periods of illness. Managing these conditions can be challenging and may require time away from school for treatment and recovery.
Management of Pupils with Diabetes in Primary Schools Guidance 2013
Acute Illness
Common illnesses like the flu or colds can lead to short-term absences to prevent the spread of the disease and enable students to recover. Even after the acute phase of an illness, children and young people may require additional time to recuperate fully before returning to school.
Is my child too ill for school? – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
There are government guidelines for schools and nurseries about health protection and managing specific infectious diseases. There say when children should be kept of school and when they shouldn’t.
Health protection in children and young people settings, including education – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Mental Health Issues with Physical Symptoms
The interplay between mental and physical health means that some children and young people struggling with mental health issues may also experience physical health problems. Psychosomatic Symptoms: Stress, anxiety and depression can manifest as physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach-aches and/or fatigue leading to school absence.
Injuries
Injuries from accidents, sports etc. can result in absence due to the need for medical treatment and/or rehabilitation. Injuries that affect mobility such as broken bones or severe sprains may require children and young people to stay home until they can safely navigate the school environment.
Specific Health Needs
Children and young people with physical disabilities may require specialist care or accommodations, sometimes their health needs might necessitate time away from school. Similarly, children and young people undergoing surgeries or other significant medical procedures will need recovery time, contributing to absences.
Access to Healthcare
Limited access to timely and adequate healthcare can exacerbate health problems, leading to prolonged or more frequent absences. Furthermore, lack of access to preventative care can result in illnesses that might otherwise have been avoided, causing more school absences.
Strategies to Support
Health Services in Schools
Having trained medical staff such as School Nurses or First Aiders on-site can help manage minor health issues and reduce unnecessary absences.
School Nurses – Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care (dghscp.co.uk)
The Directorates Education & Learning Operational Procedures are available to all Head Teachers and Teaching staff via GLOW or CONNECT and are always subject to regular review.
- GLOW Education H&S Procedures: Education & Learning Health & Safety Procedures
- CHASM Education H&S Procedures: Corporate Health and Safety Manual (CHASM) – 01– E&L Health and Safety Procedures – All Documents (sharepoint.com)
Each school should have its own First Aid Risk Assessment after following the Generic
Assessment of risk template found here:
- Secondary School First Aid RA (SS035) – Secondary School First Aid RA
- Primary School First Aid RA (PS09) – Primary School First Aid RA
Educating students about manging their health and preventing illness can help minimise absences. The Dumfries and Galloway Health and Wellbeing website supports school with their HWB/PSE curriculum.
Individual Health Plans
Developing individual health plans for children and young people with chronic conditions ensures they receive the necessary supports and accommodations at attend school as regularly as possible.
Health Care in Schools 3-18 2013
Flexible Learning Options
Providing instructions at home or through the hospital education service for children and young people who cannot attend school due to health issues can minimise the impact of absence.
Utilising technology to allow students to keep up with their education remotely during periods of absence can also minimise the impact of absence.
National e-Learning Offer | Education Scotland
Collaboration with Healthcare Providers
Schools and ELCs working closely with healthcare providers can ensure a coordinated approach to managing children and young peoples health and reducing absences.
Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care – Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care (dghscp.co.uk)
Parental Engagement
Engaging parents/carers in health management plans and providing them with resources and support can help in monitoring and improving their child’s health and attendance.
