Supporting children with life limiting or threatening conditions in mainstream education

Due to advances in medicine, there are increasing numbers of children with life limiting and life threatening conditions attending mainstream schools. Recent research shows that the needs of these children and their families are not being well met. Teaching for Life was a research project that examined the needs of teachers in relation to working with children with life limiting or life threatening conditions in school. It comprised an on-line questionnaire and focus groups with teachers. Teachers need support from health professionals. The integration of education, health and social care services are at the heart of the Government’s agenda for children. The session will provide an overview of the research, its findings and recommendations, and include discussion about how health professionals and teachers can better support one another in practice.

Learning outcomes:
1.Have an overview of the needs of children with life limiting or life threatening conditions when in school.
2.Understand the experiences and concerns of teachers in mainstream schools in relation to working with children with life limiting or life threatening conditions.
3.Examine how we might better support teachers in mainstream schools.
4.Disseminate practical ideas for how teachers and health professionals might support one another when working with a child with a life limiting or life threatening condition.