The start of a new school year is a good time to check that your child’s school has everything they need to support them.  

A few simple conversations and checks before term starts can help your child, their teachers and support staff feel prepared and confident for the year ahead. 

Does the school have information about your child’s heart condition?

Make sure your child’s teacher and relevant members of staff have up-to-date information about their cardiac condition, including anything they need to know about your child’s care and support. 

Children’s Hearts UK can provide written information leaflets on most conditions and defects. 

Has anything changed over the summer?

Think about any changes since the last school year. Has your child had new appointments, investigations or treatment? Have their medications or activity recommendations changed? Has anything changed about how they are feeling or how much they can manage physically? 

If so, make sure their school has the most up-to-date information. 

Review their care plan

If your child has an IHCP (Integrated Health Care Plan) or emergency plan, check that it is still accurate and that the relevant members of staff have seen it. 

This might include their: 

• Class teacher or form tutor 

• SENCO 

• School nurse 

• PE staff 

• Teaching assistants 

• School office staff 

If your child has a new teacher or form tutor, consider sending them an quick email to introduce yourself, provide any relevant information and let them know how to contact you with questions. 

If your child is starting in Reception or moving on to secondary school, think about if they need an IHCP. Children’s Hearts UK can help you with this. 

Does your child know when to ask for help?

Make sure your child knows what symptoms they should report to an adult and who they should go to if they feel unwell. 

Staff should also know what to look out for and what action to take, according to your child’s individual care plan. 

Check medication arrangements

If your child keeps medication at school, check that it is in date and that staff know where it is kept and how it should be administered. 

Does your child know how to access their medication, where appropriate? Do medication times need to be adjusted to fit around the school day? 

Check PE and physical activity arrangements

Make sure teachers know about any restrictions or recommendations relating to PE, swimming, sport and other physical activities. 

For secondary school, don’t be afraid to contact the PE department directly if your child has specific needs. 

Remember that every child with a heart condition is different. Activity restrictions should be based on your child’s individual medical advice. 

Consider any scheduled appointments

Make sure teachers know about any scheduled appointments or interventions and discuss plans for your child to stay informed or catch up with any work missed due to these absences.

Consider tiredness and other adjustments

Some children with heart conditions may tire more easily than their classmates, even when they look well.

Consider whether your child needs:

• Rest breaks
• Extra time between activities
• Access to water
• Support with changing for PE
• Other reasonable adjustments during the school day

Make sure these needs are included in their care plan where appropriate and understood by staff.

Think about independence

As children get older, they may take more responsibility for managing their condition.

Talk to your child about what they know: do they understand their condition, know when to ask for help and know who they can go to at school?

If they are travelling to school independently, you might also want to consider whether a medical alert bracelet, card or other form of medical ID would be useful.

Look ahead to school trips

Are there any trips, residentials or overseas travel planned this year? Start conversations early about medication, activities, travel arrangements and any additional support your child may need.

And don’t forget how they’re feeling

Going back to school can bring worries as well as excitement. Your child may be concerned about being different, missing out on activities or explaining their heart condition to friends.

Give them the opportunity to talk about how they feel and involve them in conversations about how their condition is supported at school.

Check in with your child and their teachers a few weeks into the new term to see how they are finding it, and if there’s anything else that might help. 

Remember

Every child with a heart condition is different. Their individual care plan and advice from their cardiac team should always take priority over general guidance.

If you have questions about supporting your child at school, or would like information to share with their school, Children’s Hearts UK is here to help.

 

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