Ketotic Hypoglycaemia and school admissions

[Malfollie]

Hi,
I just wondered if someone could give me a bit of help I don’t know anyone with a child with the same condition so I don’t have anyone to ask that I know of.
My 3 year old has a history of seizures some of which are febrile but some hypoglycaemic seizures. She has recently been given a diagnosis of Ketotic Hypoglycaemia. She is under a specialist consultant until she is 10 and has a letter detailing her emergency regime for when she is ill or not eating and generic guidance for regular eating. She is also under a seizure clinic for her febrile seizures which will still be the case when she starts school. She is with a child minder and nursery at the minute who have both put care plans in place.
I need to do her school admission forms for next year, Is this something I need to declare on the school admissions form? It asks about medical reasons for applying for schools and EHC plans but that would be done by the council? Do I need to get in touch with them about this? Sorry I’m asking on here but like I say this is totally new and didn’t know if anyone else had experience of this?

A medical need to apply for a school usually has to fulfill the definition that, 'It is the only school a child can attend'.

That is a high bar to reach.

You don't have to declare it as part of your admissions application, but you should expect to work with the school to put a health care plan in place (this is not an EHCP). The staff should have appropriate training before your child starts school.

Most schools should be able to support her but have you visited any schools yet and had an informal word with them? You can get a feel for what will be a more supportive environment.

An ehc plan is for children who can't easily access education as well as for those with learning disabilities etc. So it could be that your child could get one. For example they might need a dedicated 1 to 1 helper and that could be funded via an ehc.

But it takes 6 months to get an ehc minimum. Has nursery considered applying for one?

I suggest you speak to nursery about what they think her needs will be. And speak to ipsea or SOS!SEN or similar about the chances of an ehc. You can apply for one or nursery can but the LA won't sort this.

The LA should have plenty of experience of dealing with children with medical needs so don't panic but do get balls rolling now. My daughter has epilepsy so I do understand.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3

Read the guidance and get a health medical plan in place

You don't have to declare it. However, some schools give priority based on medical needs. If your daughter's condition means that some schools are more suitable, declaring it may lead to her being given priority for those schools. You don't need to get in touch with the council for this.

As a previous poster suggests, it is possible that your daughter's condition means she should have an EHCP. If she does get an EHCP, it will name a school. You will be asked which school should be named. There are only limited grounds on which the council can refuse to name the school you choose. If you get an EHCP, the school it names must admit your daughter even if they are already full.

Thankyou for all your replies, really helpful and much appreciated x

Speak to the SENCO's of the schools you wish to apply too - send your existing school healthcare plans and ask the best course of action. They are normally really helpful. The local authorities, etc who administer ECHP's are shockingly bad to deal with in my opinion.