Individual Healthcare Plan (IHCP)
What is an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHCP)?
An Individual Healthcare Plan IHCP helps schools to understand and support a child’s health conditions. The document clearly sets out symptoms, daily support needs, reasonable adjustments, and what to do if symptoms worsen or fluctuate during the school day.
An IHCP ensures that all staff know how best to support a child to feel:
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• Safe
• Understood
• Included
• Able to learn at a suitable pace for their health
It also helps schools respond appropriately to any changes.
Why is an IHCP important for children with Long Covid?
Here, we outline suggestions for an IHCP to support a child with Long Covid. This sample IHCP also names and outlines overlapping illness that your child may also be living with, including Dysautonomia, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Diabetes.
The symptoms of Long Covid, and these overlapping illnesses, can be unpredictable and fluctuating.
They may significantly affect your child’s:
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• Energy levels
• Concentration
• Physical stamina
• Cognitive function ("brain fog")
Ability to attend School Consistently
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An IHCP helps schools provide the flexibility, understanding, and adjustments children need to access education safely.
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It also ensures that staff know how to recognise and respond to symptom flare-ups, reinfection or deterioration.
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Discussing this document with the class teacher and SEN team will help to build a shared understanding and ensure appropriate support.
Further Information
View our Educational Toolkit comprising of 5 educational videos and handbook.
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Video One
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Video Two
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Video Three
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Video Four
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Video Five
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Read our blog for more information on exams and Long Covid here:

