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Physical Medical Difficulties - Schools Resources and Information

A child's physical and/or medical difficulties may arise from:

  • A congenital condition
  • A medically diagnosed condition
  • Injury

Some children or young people with physical disabilities may also have sensory impairments and/or learning difficulties

Such difficulties may, without action by the school or the LA, limit the child or young person's access to the National Curriculum and appropriate education. 

The prime purpose of all intervention/support must be to focus on maximising independence.

The main questions to be asked and answered in determining provision for pupils with physical/medical difficulties are:

  • Has the pupil got full access to learning and the curriculum?
  • Does the pupil require support with self-care and/or mobility?
  • Has the pupil been consulted about the provision to be made to meet their needs?
  • Has due consideration been given to the self-esteem/dignity of the pupil?

Support and Advice

School staff may benefit from support and advice to enable the child or young person to be fully included in all areas of school life. This can be provided by the SEND Teaching Support Team and/or the Health Service. It is the responsibility of schools to ensure a co-ordinated approach, involving both Health and Children's Service's professionals, is maintained through regular joint planning meetings.

For more information on physical or medical conditions go to www.cafamily.org.uk

Key information:

  • Physical Medical Difficulties - Assessment Tools
    When a child or young person has a physical disability or specific medical need, they will already have undergone assessments undertaken by Health professionals to identify their individual needs. The information gathered from these assessments will be used by the school provision as a starting…
  • Physical Medical Difficulties - Classroom Strategies
    Consideration must be given to the classroom layout and equipment to enable the child or young person to maximise their independence and learning. When planning for this, use the child or young person's abilities rather than their disability as the starting point. Staff will need…
  • Physical Medical Difficulties - Definitions and Glossary
    Adaptive equipment assists people with disabilities and special needs to perform activities of daily living AFO. An ankle-foot orthosis is an orthosis or brace that encumbers the ankle and foot. AFOs are externally applied and intended to control position and motion of the ankle, compensate for weakness, or…
  • Physical Medical Difficulties - Group Intervention Approaches
    When a child or young person has a physical disability or specific medical need, they are likely to be taught in the classroom or in small groups. They may also follow more individual programmes designed by the physiotherapist, occupational therapist or speech therapist focused on…
  • Physical Medical Difficulties - Individual Programmes
    Some children and young people with physical medical difficulties may require individual programmes to ensure they have full access to school and the curriculum. Toileting Programme Adult support for toileting as specified in a toileting programme, refer to policy document B5c in SEN handbook. For access to…
  • Physical Medical Difficulties - Training
    SEND Teaching Support Team: Physical Medical Difficulties, provide advice and training on meeting the individual needs of children and young people with physical medical needs in schools from Year 1 to Year 13. Training can be delivered in a number of ways: To whole staff…
  • Physical Medical Difficulties - Using ICT
    Being able to use computers, phones and other gadgets for learning, leisure and keeping in contact with friends and family is very important for children and young people with physical and medical difficulties. These technologies can be used effectively in a number of ways to…
  • Physical Medical - Whole School Approaches
    It is important that children and young people with a physical disability or an identified medical need have equal access to the learning environment in their chosen school. To facilitate this, schools need to create an inclusive learning environment where every child or young person…
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