Notes to support completion of a Care Plan
What is a Care Plan?
A care plan is a comprehensive, individualised description of health needs and associated difficulties. It should describe the reasonable adjustments and the provision the school/setting will make to meet the individual’s needs. It needs to be a practical, working document that the school/setting can deliver on a daily basis.
When do we need one?
When there is an identified need in school/setting. This may be physical, medical and/or personal care needs.
Why do we need one?
We need care plans to ensure all individual medical and/or care needs are addressed in school and to provide staff with concise guidance and a procedure to follow.
What does into the care plan?
Information included in the care plan includes:
- The child or young person’s details, emergency contact details, medical background, physical management with regard to: toileting and personal care;
- PE;
- educational visits;
- physical access;
- feeding;
- communication;
- training;
- medication (administered within school/setting and/or at home);
- an agreed emergency plan/protocol to be followed;
- fire drill procedure and/or any other identified need.
Who should contribute?
- Contribution to the care plan should include all staff/agencies who are involved with the child or young person. Where a medical condition or diagnosis is evident it is important to involve the school nurse/health visitor for advice.
- The parent/carer should always be involved in the creation of the care plan and where it is appropriate the child or young person’s views should be included. It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to inform school/setting of any changes in condition that may affect or need amendment to the care plan.
Who is responsible for creating and updating the care plan?
It is the school/setting’s responsibility to ensure a care plan is in place, where necessary, with advice from the appropriate professionals (as above). The care plan is a working document and should be updated whenever there is a change in circumstances. This should be initialled and dated by both the member of staff and the parent/carer. It should be reviewed within an agreed time span, at least annually.
On completion of the care plan who should agree and sign?
- It is essential that the relevant medical professional, parent/carer, the child or young person where appropriate and the Headteacher agree and sign the care plan on completion.
- It is also advisable that all staff who are involved in the child/young person’s care sign to say they have read and understood the care plan.