While there is no legal requirement on schools or school staff to manage a pupil's medicine or support a child's medical need, all pupils should have the opportunities of a good education and we would encourage schools to do what they can to support a child with a medical need.
To ensure that children with long term conditions receive the help and support they need so that they can take a full role in school life, it is our intention that the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Leaning Bill will make schools a statutory relevant partner in local children's trusts, primary care trusts and others, and require them to work in partnership with other local agencies to improve children's well-being. They will be represented on the children's trust board and contribute to the preparation and monitoring of the local children and young people's plan. We will also ensure that the relevant guidance makes specific reference that partners need to consider locally to support schools in managing children with medical conditions.
We announced in the Child Health Strategy that we will update the guidance ‘Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings’. The revised guidance will include clear statements of expectations of those involved in supporting pupils with medical conditions, including schools and Primary Care Trusts. The Department will also be setting up a stakeholder group, which will include expert organisations such as Diabetes UK, to help review and revise the guidance.