/ The parent has been consulted during the preparation of the IHP/EHP and provided relevant medical documentation.
/ All concerns of the parent/carer in relation to the IHP/EHP have been recorded, addressed where possible, and reasons for the decisions made about the contents of the IHP/EHP have been explained to the parent.
/ The parent/carer has been clearly made aware that their signature is required on the IHP/EHP to indicate that they have endorsed the process the school will follow.
/ The qualified health practitioner involved in the development of the IHP/EHP has approved/endorsed the plan.
/ The parent/carer has signed the IHP/EHP.
/ The principal/delegated officer completes a contact note in One School.
/ The IHP/EHP is uploaded into OneSchool.
/ The principal/delegated officer sets a date to review the IHP/EHP. This should occur annually, or more frequently, to ensure the health information is accurate and current supervising staff are familiar with the student’s health requirements.
/ If no changes are required to an existing IHP/EHP following the review, the parent/carer re-signs and dates the IHP/EHP.
Where a parent/carer delays signing the IHP/EHP
/ The principal/delegated officer has contacted the qualified health practitioner to determine the risks to the student’s health or safety during their attendance at school if there is no IHP/EHP in place.
/ The principal/delegated officer has discussed with the parent/carer the risks and possible consequences to the student’s health or safety if the IHP/EHP is not in place, based on advice from the qualified health practitioner.
/ When asked to sign the final plan, the parent/carer should be provided with written notification that they should return the signed IHP/EHP within 7 days.
/ If the parent/carer has not returned the signed IHP/EHP within 7 days, a reminder letter or email should be sent to the parent/carer requesting the return of the signed form within a further 7 days, clearly stating that if the form is not returned, the Department will assume that the parent/carer has consented to the plan and that it will be adopting the plan accordingly. A phone call (file noted) would also assist to confirm that the contact details of the parent/carer are current.
/ If the signed IHP/EHP is still not received from the parent/carer, a final letter/email should be sent to the parent/carer attaching a copy of the IHP/EHP and formally stating that the Department considers this is the approved plan.
The same process should be followed for any updates to the plan.
N.B. The principal/delegated officer may determine that, where a student has Gillick competence*, the student may complete the above tasks assigned to the parent/carer.
*Gillick competence
An individual is presumed to be capable of giving consent unless found to be incapable of giving that consent by reason of maturity, injury, disease, illness, cognitive or physical impairment, mental disorder, any disability or any other circumstance, of:
- understanding the general nature and effect of giving the consent, or
- communicating such consent or refusal to consent.
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