Health care in schools plays a vital role in ensuring children and young people are safe, supported, and able to access learning. For Child Protection Coordinators (CPCs), understanding how health needs intersect with safeguarding is essential to effective practice. This includes both the management of routine health care needs and responding appropriately where health concerns may indicate wider wellbeing or protection issues.

In Scotland, health care in schools is underpinned by the principles of Getting it Right for Every Child, with a focus on ensuring that children are safe, healthy, and included. It also aligns with duties set out in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.

Key Responsibilities

Child Protection Coordinators should ensure that:

• There are clear systems in place for identifying and supporting pupils with health care needs
• Individual health care plans (where required) are in place, up to date, and accessible to relevant staff
• Staff understand their roles in administering medication and responding to health needs safely
• Appropriate training/professional learning is provided (e.g. for medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, or anaphylaxis)
• Robust procedures are in place for recording and sharing health-related information securely

Health and Safeguarding: Making the Connection

Health concerns can sometimes be an indicator of wider safeguarding issues. CPCs should support staff to remain alert to:

• Unexplained or recurring injuries
• Patterns of non-attendance linked to health complaints
• Unmet medical needs or lack of parental engagement with treatment
• Concerns around neglect, including hygiene, nutrition, or failure to seek medical care

Where concerns arise, these should be recorded and responded to in line with child protection procedures and the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland.

Partnership Working

Effective health care in schools relies on strong multi-agency collaboration. CPCs should ensure clear communication and joint working with:

• School nursing services and health visitors
• General practitioners and specialist health professionals
• Social work and other relevant partners

Information sharing should be proportionate, lawful, and always guided by the wellbeing and safety of the child.

Supporting Safe and Inclusive Practice

By embedding clear procedures and promoting staff confidence in responding to health needs, CPCs help create a safe and inclusive environment for all learners. Strong links between health care and safeguarding ensure that children’s needs are identified early and that appropriate support is put in place without delay.