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We will be carrying out essential maintenance on our website on Tuesday 23 April 2024 between the hours of 8.00am and 10.30am. During this time, the website may experience technical issues. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Support for children with health needs


We provide education for children and young people of statutory school age (5-16 years) who are temporarily unable to attend school due to ill health.

Our aim is to provide high quality education and prevent pupils from slipping behind in their work due to a health condition.

We teach individual pupils with health needs who are currently unable to attend school. We offer teaching sessions at a location near home or, if absolutely necessary, in the home. We provide information, advice and consultancy to children/young people, schools, parents/carers and other agencies.

By working closely with staff in schools we ensure children/young people follow the right programmes of study. Individual education plans are drawn up and we liaise with medical professionals. As soon as possible we support integration back to school to prevent any further disruption to pupils' education.

The desired outcomes for the children/young people who we work with are to raise aspiration and achievement, for pupils to actively engage in education, employment or training and for the package of support to result in improved emotional well-being and to progress in school work.

The Health Needs team

Our Health Needs Team consists of a manager, a team leader, advisory teachers, education support workers for health needs, a pool of highly qualified casual teachers, a senior psychiatrist, a learning support assistant (LSA) for young parents, education support on the children's ward of the University Hospital Of North Durham (UHND) and clerical support.

SEND and Inclusion course directory

The SEND and Inclusion courses page includes details of courses currently available. The courses are mainly for school staff but parents, child care providers, health workers can also book onto these courses if appropriate.

Contact us
Education Health Needs
0300 026 7768
0791 929 1258
Our address is:
  • The Woodlands
  • Broom Road
  • Ferryhill
  • County Durham
  • United Kingdom
  • DL17 8AN