What is an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHCP)?
An individual healthcare plan (also known as an IHCP) is a care plan given to your child’s school if they have a medical condition that requires support or medication from school staff.
It’ll usually be written by a medical professional, such as a nurse, and will include specifics about the medical condition, should your child need help, support or medication. If applicable, it should also include information about what to do in the event of an emergency.
For example, an IHCP may be given to your child’s school if they have:
Diabetes: This might include information on what to do if they have low or high blood sugar levels.
Asthma: This might include details of any triggers, or how and when to use their inhaler in the event of an asthma attack.
Epilepsy: This could include information about triggers and what to do in the event of a seizure.
Eczema: This might include details of medication such as creams or ointments.
Some schools might require an IHCP for medical conditions such as:
- Gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation
But most schools will have an IHCP for any person that has a recognised/diagnosed medical condition that needs support or adjustments during a school day. IHCP’s are reviewed every year for any changes, or as soon as any significant changes such as medication dosage are made to your care plan.
How are ICHPs written?
An IHCP can be written and used as soon as a child’s medical needs have been identified. A child does not have to wait for a formal diagnosis before schools provide them with support.
Health professionals often take the lead on writing an IHCP – but it is the responsibility of the child’s school to finalise it and make sure it is used and easily accessible for all staff.
Information for the IHCP can be from:
- the child / young person and their parent/carer
- medical professionals
- care navigators
Information for the IHCP can be taken from medical letters, reports, action plans, instructions on what to do in an emergency, lists of triggers or symptoms.
It is important that an IHCP expresses the views of the child / young person and their parents or carers.
Role of parents and carers in the IHCP
Parents and carers should:
- provide the school with up-to-date information about their child’s / young person’s medical needs
- tell the school about any changes to the child’s health and / or health needs, so that these can be recorded in the IHCP
- attend IHCP review meetings
- carry out any action they have agreed, such as:
- providing medicines and equipment
- ensuring they or another nominated adult are always contactable
If you think your child might need an IHCP for a medical condition, speak to your child’s school.
An ICHP is different to an EHCP (also known as an education and healthcare plan) which relate to special education needs.
