Work with SENCO, train staff, document seizures. How to create an effective seizure management plan that keeps your child safe at school and informs staff training.
When your child has epilepsy or a seizure condition, school represents one of the largest environments outside your direct care. A well-designed seizure management plan — sometimes called a health care plan or individual healthcare plan (IHP) — provides school staff with clear guidance on managing your child's seizures, administering emergency medication if needed, and responding appropriately. Creating this plan is one of the most important things you can do to keep your child safe during the school day.
A seizure management plan is a written document that covers several essential elements:
The SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) is typically the person who leads the development of health care plans at school. Arrange a meeting with them, the head teacher or deputy, and any relevant staff (classroom teacher, school nurse if available) to discuss your child's seizure management plan. This meeting should cover:
The plan should be reviewed at least annually, or whenever your child's seizures, medication, or school circumstances change.
A seizure management plan is only as good as the staff who implement it. Ideally, all school staff who work with your child should receive seizure first aid training. This includes class teachers, teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors, PE staff, and office staff. Training should cover:
Many schools use video-based training materials from charities like Epilepsy Action or the Young Epilepsy charity. Paediatric first aid training courses often include seizure first aid sections. Some neurologists are willing to provide a brief training session at school, which can be particularly effective because they can answer specific questions about your child's condition.
If your child carries emergency seizure medication (commonly buccal midazolam), the school needs to have clear access to it. The medication should be stored in a location that's quickly accessible if a seizure occurs — not locked away or inaccessible. Two staff members should ideally know where it is and how to administer it. Consider whether your child carries it with them during the day, or whether it's stored at their classroom desk or a central location.
Staff authorised to administer emergency medication should have received training and should be confident doing so. Written instructions should be attached to the medication. Some schools ask parents to provide written consent for specific named staff to administer the medication. The plan should also clarify what happens after emergency medication is given — is an ambulance automatically called? Are parents immediately contacted?
Whenever your child has a seizure at school, it should be recorded. Create a simple log for staff to complete, including date, time, what the seizure looked like, how long it lasted, any injuries, whether emergency medication was given, and any other relevant notes. Share this log with parents (ideally same-day or next-day communication). This record serves several purposes:
Parents can then add school-logged seizures to their home seizure tracking system.
Your child spends significant time at school, and school staff may notice patterns or triggers you haven't identified at home. Do seizures cluster around certain times of day? Around particular subjects or stressful situations? When your child's tired or hasn't slept well? This information is valuable for understanding your child's seizure triggers and should inform reviews of both the school plan and your child's treatment plan with their neurologist. Regular communication between parents and school helps build a complete picture of your child's condition.
Tip: Ask the school to photograph and keep a copy of your child's seizure management plan posted in their classroom or a commonly accessed location. Create an identical log sheet for home, so that seizures at school and at home are documented in the same format and easily shared with your child's neurologist. Digital seizure tracking apps can often be used by multiple carers, allowing school staff to log seizures that automatically sync to the parent's record.
Beyond the mechanics of seizure management, school staff should understand the social and emotional impact of having epilepsy. Other children may be frightened if they witness a seizure. Your child may feel self-conscious or worried about having a seizure in front of peers. Age-appropriate explanations to classmates — explaining that a seizure is something their classmate's brain does sometimes, and that they're not contagious or in danger — can reduce stigma and anxiety. Your child's school may have access to counsellors or peer support resources.
Seizure management plans should be reviewed at least annually, and whenever circumstances change — if your child's medication changes, if seizure patterns change, if the school environment changes, or if staff turnover means new people need training. Keep the plan dynamic and responsive to your child's actual needs.
A comprehensive seizure management plan, combined with well-trained staff and clear communication between home and school, allows your child to access education safely and with confidence. The plan ensures that when a seizure does occur, the response is quick, appropriate, and focussed on your child's safety and dignity.
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