Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school
If your child is too unwell to attend school, the council must still make sure they get a proper education. Mental health counts as a health need.
Applies in England
When a child cannot attend school because of their health, the local authority has a duty to arrange suitable education another way. That can mean one-to-one tuition at home, a hospital school, online lessons or a mix.
Two things trip parents up. First, mental health counts: anxiety or a mental health condition that keeps a child out of school is a health need, not a behaviour problem. Second, support should not wait for a diagnosis or for a set number of missed days. If your child is missing school because of their health, you can ask the local authority what education it will arrange.
Where this comes from
- Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school , Department for Education. Checked 2026-08-14.
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