Support at school for children with epilepsy
A child with epilepsy can often experience everyday school life just like any other child – yet still needs someone who is calmly and reliably on hand should a seizure occur. Many parents worry whether their child is in safe hands during PE, swimming lessons or school trips, and whether the correct action will be taken in an emergency. We provide support so that your child can take part – with reassurance in the background, not constant supervision. As much support as necessary, as little as possible.
How epilepsy manifests itself in everyday school life
Epilepsy can manifest in very different ways – from rare, barely noticeable absence seizures to more severe fits. The following situations often arise in everyday school life:
- Recognising seizures: Some seizures are impossible to miss, whilst others manifest only as a brief lapse of attention, twitching or a momentary freeze – recognising them early is crucial.
- Uncertainty in an emergency: Teachers and classmates often do not know what to do during a seizure – this makes everyone involved feel uncertain.
- High-risk situations: PE, swimming, stairs, the craft room or school trips require special attention, without excluding your child.
- Fluctuating performance: Following a seizure or as a result of medication, concentration, pace and resilience may temporarily decline.
- Absences: Doctor’s appointments or breaks taken due to seizures can lead to gaps in attendance, making it difficult to catch up.
How our support helps
Our focus is on safety and natural participation – not on supervision.
- Early detection and documentation of seizures: We observe closely, recognise the signs and record the progression and duration in a clear and traceable manner – vital information for parents and doctors.
- Reliable routines and safety: Clear, calm structures provide your child with stability and create a safe environment for sport, swimming and excursions → Structured support
- Acting in accordance with the medical emergency plan: Should a seizure occur, we act calmly and strictly in accordance with an existing medical emergency plan, which has been agreed in advance with parents, the school and the treating doctors.
- Calm approach in the classroom: We help ensure that classmates can view seizures calmly – this fosters an atmosphere free from fear and exclusion.
- Inclusion despite fluctuations: In the event of absences, tiredness or lapses in concentration following seizures, we provide gentle support to ensure your child keeps up → our methods
- Independence as the goal: We withdraw our support as soon as your child no longer needs it.
Legal basis & application
In the case of epilepsy, medical and nursing care often take centre stage. Depending on requirements, the responsible funding body may be the health insurance fund (Section 37 of Book V of the Social Code) or the integration assistance scheme – this must be clarified on a case-by-case basis and depends on the specific support needs. Emergency support, such as administering medication during a seizure, is only possible on the basis of a medical emergency plan and following prior consultation with parents and the school; we cannot make blanket commitments in this regard. We will advise you openly, explore the most suitable approach together and guide you through the entire process.
Qualifications of our support workers
Our support workers undergo a multi-stage selection process and are trained at our own Splash Academy. For support with epilepsy, we place particular emphasis on calm, level-headed behaviour in stressful situations and on strict adherence to agreed procedures. Medical interventions are carried out exclusively within the agreed framework – in close consultation with parents, the school and the treating doctors.
Frequently asked questions
Is the school support worker allowed to administer medication during a seizure?
This is only possible if a medical emergency plan is in place and the measure has been agreed in advance with the parents and the school. We act strictly within this framework and do not make any blanket commitments in this regard. We will clarify what is possible in each individual case together with you and the treating doctors.
Can my child continue to take part in PE and swimming lessons?
Generally, yes. Our aim is to ensure participation whilst prioritising safety. We pay particular attention in high-risk situations and coordinate our approach with you and the school so that your child can take part.
What happens after a seizure during a lesson?
We ensure a calm and safe environment, follow the medical emergency plan and document the incident. We then give your child the time they need and gently support them as they return to the lesson.
How do we ensure your child keeps up with their studies if they miss lessons?
In the event of absences due to seizures or medical reasons, we help your child catch up at a manageable pace and coordinate this with the teachers – without putting any additional pressure on them.
How does the class react to seizures?
With our support, classmates learn to respond calmly to seizures. This creates a relaxed atmosphere free from fear and exclusion – which takes the pressure off your child and the whole class.
Let’s talk about your child
In a free initial consultation, we’ll discuss your child’s needs, the application process and the next steps – with no obligation.
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Our own Splash Academy · Multi-stage selection process · Support at mainstream and special schools
This page is for information purposes only and does not replace medical or legal advice. The decision as to whether school support is suitable and eligible for funding is made by the relevant funding body on a case-by-case basis.