Epilepsy School Essentials: Back-to-School Guide for Parents

Going back to school brings plenty to think about for any parent. New uniform, shoes, PE kit, lunch boxes, remembering which day they need what... the list goes on.

But when your child has epilepsy, there’s another layer of preparation too.

You want them to enjoy school, make friends and have the same opportunities as everyone else, while knowing that the people around them understand their epilepsy and know what to do if they have a seizure.

Whether your child has recently been diagnosed or you’ve been managing epilepsy for years, here are some things worth checking before the new school year begins.

1. Make sure your child's epilepsy care plan is up to date

One of the most important back-to-school jobs is making sure the school has current information about your child's epilepsy.

Every child's epilepsy can be different, so staff need information that is specific to your child, rather than simply knowing that they have epilepsy.

Depending on your child's needs, their healthcare or school care plan may include:

• The type of seizures they experience
• What their seizures usually look like
• How long they typically last
• Known triggers or warning signs
• What staff should do during and after a seizure
• When emergency medication should be given, if prescribed
• When staff should call 999
• Who should be contacted in an emergency

If anything has changed over the summer, make sure the school has the latest information before term starts.

2. Check medication and emergency supplies

If your child needs medication during the school day or has prescribed emergency medication, check everything is ready before they return.

Make sure medication is in date, correctly labelled and stored according to the instructions you've been given.

It's also worth checking who is trained to administer it.

Don't forget to think beyond their usual classroom. What happens during PE? At an after-school club? On a school trip?

Knowing the plan in advance can give everyone more confidence.

3. Help staff recognise your child's seizures

Not every epileptic seizure looks like the dramatic seizure people often picture.

Some children may stare or become unresponsive. Others might make repetitive movements, become confused or experience changes in awareness.

This is why staff understanding what is normal for your child is so important.

At the beginning of term, check that the relevant teachers and support staff know what their seizures can look like and what action they should take.

If your child moves between different teachers or classrooms, consider how that information will be shared with everyone who may be responsible for them.

4. Think about PE, clubs and school trips

Having epilepsy doesn't automatically mean your child can't participate in activities.

However, some activities may require individual planning or risk assessment depending on their seizures and medical advice.

Swimming, PE, residential trips and days away from school are all worth discussing in advance.

Ask who will have your child's medical information, who will carry any required medication and whether accompanying staff understand their seizure plan.

Planning ahead can help your child be included safely rather than unnecessarily missing out.

5. Consider a medical ID for your child

At school, your child's regular teachers may know about their epilepsy. But there are plenty of situations where they could be with someone who doesn't.

A supply teacher, sports coach, lunchtime supervisor or member of the public on a school trip might not know their medical history.

A medical ID for a child with epilepsy can provide another way for someone to access important information if it's needed.

At Safe & Snappy, we created our Epilepsy NFC Emergency Tag to attach to things children already carry, such as a school bag, coat zip or lanyard.

Someone can tap the NFC tag with a compatible smartphone or scan the QR code to access the emergency information you've chosen to provide.

There’s no app required, and you can update the information if something changes.

View the Safe & Snappy Epilepsy NFC Emergency Tag

It's not a replacement for your child's epilepsy care plan or the school's procedures. It's simply an additional way of making important information accessible.

6. Talk to your child about what they want

As children get older, it's worth involving them in conversations about how their epilepsy is managed at school.

Some children are comfortable with friends knowing about their epilepsy. Others may feel embarrassed or simply not want it to be a big deal.

Ask them how they feel.

Who would they go to if they felt unwell? Do they know which adults understand their epilepsy? Do they know where their medication is kept, if appropriate for their age?

Giving them a voice in the planning can help them feel more confident and in control.

7. Don't forget the everyday school stuff

With medical forms, medication and care plans to think about, it's easy for epilepsy to take over the back-to-school preparation.

But they're still a child going back to school.

They're probably thinking more about who they'll sit next to, whether they'll like their new teacher, what their friends did over summer and whether you've bought them the right school bag.

The preparation around epilepsy is there to help keep them supported while they get on with all those ordinary parts of school life.

Epilepsy back-to-school checklist

Before the first day, check:

• Your child's epilepsy information is up to date
• The school has their current care plan
• Relevant staff understand what their seizures look like
• Medication is in date and available where required
• Staff know what to do during and after a seizure
• PE, clubs and trips have been considered
• Emergency contact details are correct
• Your child knows which adults they can approach
• Medical ID or emergency information is accessible if you choose to use it

A little preparation before September can make a big difference.

The aim isn't for epilepsy to define your child's school experience. It's to make sure the right information and support are there if they're ever needed, so your child can concentrate on the important bit: being a kid and getting on with school.