Our consultation response

The Department for Education’s guidance for supporting pupils with medical needs in school will shape how schools understand and respond to medical needs, including conditions like PANS and PANDAS where difficulties can be sudden, fluctuating, and easily misunderstood.

While guidance alone cannot address every challenge, it shapes the frameworks within which schools make decisions, including how they approach flexibility, attendance, and their understanding of changes in behaviour or capacity. This consultation offered a vital opportunity to help ensure that those lived realities of PANS and PANDAS are more accurately reflected at a national level.

Below are the key themes raised by PANS PANDAS UK in our consultation response, you can read the full response here.

Key themes raised by PANS PANDAS UK in our consultation response

Needs‑led support over diagnosis‑led thresholds

Educational support should be based on a child’s and young person’s presentation and functional impact, not delayed while diagnosis is ongoing or uncertain.

Understanding sudden onset and fluctuating medical needs

Schools need guidance to respond flexibly to rapid changes in health, capacity and behaviour associated with acute medical conditions.

Avoiding misinterpretation of medical symptoms

Medically driven symptoms should not be mistaken for behavioural or disciplinary issues.

Flexible use of Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs)

IHPs should be used early and adapt to relapse and recovery, rather than assuming stable or permanent need.

Attendance flexibility and appropriate recording of medical absence

Attendance expectations must reflect medical reality and support recovery, including use of remote or blended learning where appropriate.

Equity during diagnostic uncertainty

Support should not vary based on how, where or how quickly a clinical opinion is obtained. The guidance should also make it clear that schools and colleges recognise diagnoses and clinical assessments from appropriately qualified clinicians, regardless of whether these are obtained through NHS or independent pathways.

Alignment between education and access to healthcare

School policies should enable children and young people to access assessment and treatment in line with NHS care, not create additional barriers.

School environment, clean air and infection awareness

The school environment, including ventilation and infection management is an important consideration for pupils with infection‑triggered conditions

Consistency, accountability and informed decision‑making

Clear leadership, oversight and guidance are needed to reduce variation between schools and improve confidence in supporting medical needs.