Government policy

The Department of Education in NSW requires that individual healthcare planning is undertaken for all students living with epilepsy. Planning for a student with epilepsy will include developing and implementing an individual health care plan. Individual health care planning ensures that all students have the opportunity to participate in education regardless of their health support needs. While a student’s health support rests primarily with the parent, school staff have a duty to keep students safe while they are at school or are involved in school activities. A First Aid Seizure Management Plan (Epilepsy Management Plan) should be completed by the student’s doctor and form part of the individual health care plan. The individual health care plan will detail the procedures to be followed if a seizure does occur. Epilepsy management documents, including the First Aid Seizure Management Plan and First Aid Seizure Poster are available on the Paediatric Epilepsy Network website and can be used by schools to assist them to respond to a seizure. Alternatively, parents could utilise the Epilepsy Management Plan resources located on the Epilepsy Foundation website. A conversation should be held with both the school and treating doctor on the documentation required. All staff should be trained to recognise seizures and know what to do if one occurs in the playground or classroom. Training is available from the Epilepsy Foundation.

For further information visit www.education.nsw.gov.au/student-wellbeing/health-and-physical-care/health-care-procedures/conditions/epilepsy

The Education Directorate (EDU) has a commitment to the inclusion of all students in public education. Students living with epilepsy will receive support as identified in their individualised Known Medical Condition Response Epilepsy Plan available from the EDU and completed in conjunction with the family. Planned management is undertaken by an authorised person/first aid officer trained to provide the required support. Students with complex or invasive health care needs including epilepsy, requiring an emergency response administration of medication, may be referred to the ACT Healthcare Access At School (HAAS). HAAS provides nurse-led care to students with complex or invasive health care needs while they are at any ACT public school. The Registered Nurse (RN) completes an initial assessment and develops a Healthcare Plan in partnership with the parents and other health providers as needed. EDU HAAS workers are then trained in the health tasks that are required in order for the student to safely attend school and are assessed by the RN as competent. The RN provides ongoing support to the student, school and parents and updates the healthcare plan periodically and/or as needed, such as if health requirements change. Alternatively, parents could utilise the Epilepsy Management Plan resources located on this website. A conversation should be held with both the school and treating doctor on the documentation required. Staff are trained to support the individualisedKnown Medical Condition Response Epilepsy Plan of the student. Training is available from Epilepsy ACT.

For further information visit www.education.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/872226/HAAS-Healthcare-Access-at-School-FAQs.pdf

The South Australia Department of Education and Child Development support the importance of health care planning for student. The department supports that a child or student’s health and wellbeing is closely tied to their ability to learn. The department aims to ensure the best educational outcomes for all children and students by providing support to their health and wellbeing needs. Health care plans specify the arrangements and staff training necessary to help children with health conditions attend school or preschool. Epilepsy is recognised as a specific health care need requiring a clear support plan and training for school staff. Refer specific care documentation available on the department website. Also, parents can use the Epilepsy Management Plan resources located on this website. A conversation should be held with both the school and treating doctor on the documentation required. All staff should be trained to recognise seizures and know what to do if one occurs while a student living with epilepsy is in their care. Training is available from The Epilepsy Centre. The department website also contains a range of health and wellbeing information for families and students.

For further information visit www.decd.sa.gov.au/supporting-students/health-e-safety-and-wellbeing/health-care-plans

The primary purpose of health care provision in schools is to implement health care practises that maintain and promote the good health and wellbeing of all students. The Management of Students with Specialised Health Needs Procedure provides guidelines to ensure that schools make reasonable adjustments to allow students with specialised health needs, including those requiring specialised health procedures, to learn and participate alongside their peers whilst attending school or school-related activities. The principal is responsible for ensuring safe management of students ‘ specialised health needs, including those requiring specialised health procedures such as students living with epilepsy, whilst attending school or school-related activities. While there is no specific requirements of staff as it relates to a student living with epilepsy, parents of students with special health needs are required to complete/sign and provide all relevant documents, equipment, medication and consumables to support the student’s health needs prior to enrolment or as required, including:

• Student Referral \u2013 Request for Nursing Services
• completed Action Plan signed by the qualified medical/health practitioner for students with asthma, anaphylaxis
• any other completed health plans that may be required for specialised health needs
• completed Managing students’ health support needs at school procedure signed by the qualified medical/health practitioner, if required
• Obtaining and managing student and individual consent procedure if required
• Information sharing under the Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld) procedure if required
• medical forms for school camps

Alternatively parents could utilise the epilepsy management plan resources located on this website. A conversation should be held with both the school and treating doctor on the documentation required. All staff who, in their role, support a student living with epilepsy should be trained to recognise seizures and know what to do if one occurs while the student is in their care. Training is available from Epilepsy Queensland.

For further information visit www.ppr.det.qld.gov.au/education/management/Pages/Management-of-Students-with-Specialised-Health-Needs.aspx

The Department of Education in Western Australia lists epilepsy as a seizure disorder on the standardised list of medical conditions requiring health support for a student living with the condition. No specific guidelines for supporting a student living with epilepsy are covered in the Student Health Care Policy, however, the policy does require that appropriate support is provided for students with special health needs. The Emergency Response Plan for Student with Special Need provides an overview of the health care needs and emergency response requirements for students with multiple health care needs who are frequently admitted to hospital during school hours. This form can be handed to ambulance and/or emergency ward staff. This form can be used to document the support required for a student living with epilepsy. Where a student is unable to self-administer prescribed medication as is the case in the emergency administration of medication in the event of seizure, school staff, who in their role, support a student living with epilepsy should be trained to recognise seizures and know what to do if one occurs while the student is in their care. The requirements for administration must be documented Administration of Medication form. Training is available from Epilepsy WA. Alternatively, parents could utilise the Epilepsy Management Plan resources located on this website. A conversation should be held with both the school and treating doctor on the documentation required. While schools and teachers have a duty of care to support the needs of students with special needs, if a parent applies to enrol a student with a complex or high risk to life health condition, and the principal believes the school may not be able to provide the level of health care support required for the child to sustain health or life, a review process will be implemented to ensure that the student is enrolled in an appropriate school to provide the best available supports.
For further information please visit

https://www.education.wa.edu.au/

https://www.education.wa.edu.au/student-health-care

https://www.education.wa.edu.au/children-with-special-educational-needs

https://www.oneclassroom.wa.edu.au/

The Tasmanian Department of Education has a clear policy and position on support for students living with epilepsy. The requirements of schools can be found in the following Health and Wellbeing document Specific Health Issues Procedures. This document must be read in conjunction with the Student Health and Administration of Medication Procedure and the Department of Education ‘s Health Care and Safety Policy. Department of Education staff members have a duty of care to all students. Principals must ensure that any student with a medical condition has the following documentation completed and updated:

• Medical Management Plan \u2013 which must be signed by a medical practitioner or nurse.
• Authorisation by the parent/s is required for the administration of all medication. This includes prescribed and non-prescribed medication.
• Authorisation by a doctor, dispensing pharmacist or nurse is required for the administration of all prescribed medication.
• Administration of Student Medication Record – which must include a record when medication is administered to a student on each and every occasion.

These plans need to be updated and reviewed by the practising medical specialist team every twelve months or at any given time when the specific health issues management changes. Alternatively, parents could utilise the Epilepsy Management Plan resources located on this website. A conversation should be held with both the school and treating doctor on the documentation required. Staff must receive training in how to support a student living with epilepsy in accordance with their health and wellbeing plan. Training is available through Epilepsy Tasmania.

For further information visit www.education.tas.gov.au/students/school-and-colleges/health-and-wellbeing/

The Northern Territory Department of Education policies and procedures for administration of medication and support to a student with a health condition provide advice for schools, students, parents and the wider school community on the provision of education services and decision-making processes across the Northern Territory as it relates to health care support. Schools can also create their own policies in addition to the departmental policies. It is recommended that families talk to their school about local policies. Documents required to support a student living with epilepsy include a documented health care plan and actions to support student engagement in school life.

Additionally, a student living with epilepsy must have the following documentation attached to their health care plan, as appropriate:

• Epilepsy Management Plan should be current, accurate and easy to understand. The plan should be developed by the person or people who have the most knowledge and experience of the person ‘s epilepsy and seizures. It is very important for the student with epilepsy to be part of this planning process. A team approach to developing a plan is often helpful. The Epilepsy Centre recommends this plan be reviewed by the person ‘s doctor.
• Emergency Medication Management Plan form should be completed by the prescribing doctor in consultation with the student living with epilepsy and/or their family or carer. It must be attached to their Epilepsy Management Plan which has been signed by their doctor.

Alternatively, parents could utilise the Epilepsy Management Plan resources located on this website. A conversation should be held with both the school and treating doctor on the documentation required. Keeping a record of seizures is important because few doctors ever see their patient having a seizure and rely heavily on an accurate account from an observer when diagnosing epilepsy. There are many different types of seizure and other conditions that can be misdiagnosed as epilepsy. A precise diagnosis is easier to make if a clear description of the person ‘s seizures is available. Teachers are asked to record all seizure activity on this form. In accordance with school policy, teachers are required to be trained in supporting the student living with epilepsy and in the administration of medication as per the student’s health care and epilepsy management plans. Training is available from The Epilepsy Centre.

For further information visit www.education.nt.gov.au