Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support the Government provides to children in full-time education who have myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome.

The department is committed supporting pupils with medical conditions so that they have full access to education. In 2014, the department introduced a new duty on schools to support pupils with all medical conditions, including myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome. Statutory guidance for schools on how to support pupils with medical conditions has been published and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3.

The guidance does not specify which medical conditions should be supported in schools. It focuses on how to meet the needs of each individual child and how their medical condition impacts on school life.

The statutory guidance states that governing boards should ensure any member of school staff providing support to a pupil with medical needs has received suitable training. This is to ensure that staff are competent and have confidence in their ability to support pupils with medical conditions, and to fulfil the requirements as set out in individual healthcare plans (IHPs).

Schools also have duties under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments and not to discriminate against disabled children, including those with certain long-term health conditions, in relation to their access to education and associated services. Schools must make reasonable adjustments to their practices, procedures, and policies to ensure that they are not putting those with certain long-term health problems at a substantial disadvantage.