Epilepsy Smart Schools Program
Epilepsy Smart Schools – helping schools across Western Australia and Australia-wide meet their duty of care to children living with epilepsy.
Who can register?
Any school can develop the capacity of their teachers and school community to better support young people living with epilepsy and consider becoming an Epilepsy Smart School.
Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic conditions school staff will encounter during their career. Students with epilepsy may need additional support – seizures can be just the tip of the iceberg. There are over 40 types of seizures and each student’s epilepsy experience is different.
All Australian schools have a duty of care to ensure they provide an inclusive learning environment and 1 in 200 children live with epilepsy. Under the Australian Government’s Disability Standards for Education 2005 schools are obliged to ensure students with additional needs can access and participate in education on the same basis as other students.
First aid training is not enough. Teachers need epilepsy-specific training.
Epilepsy WA can train your staff and provide vital epilepsy and seizure first aid knowledge from as little as $12 per teacher. We can help your teachers understand epilepsy and how it may impact on your student’s learning capacity via an online learning course or through a face-to-face training session. Epilepsy WA can also provide support to schools throughout regional WA via ZOOM, providing live practical training. To learn more about the courses we offer, such as our foundational course Epilepsy: An Introduction to Understanding and Managing Epilepsy, click here.
The Epilepsy Smart Schools program has been developed to support students, teachers and the broader school community.
Training teachers in epilepsy awareness and management is one of three simple steps to ensure your school can proudly state you are a nationally recognised Epilepsy Smart School. So far Epilepsy WA has trained 1638 teachers beyond first aid for seizures across Western Australia.
To become recognised as an Epilepsy Smart School, complete the following three steps:
Step 1. Ensure you have an up-to-date Epilepsy Management Plan in place for each student living with epilepsy. Ensure these plans are reviewed at least annually.
Step 2. Have staff undertake a 1 hour Understanding and Managing Epilepsy training course online or via face-to-face learning, to ensure they understand about epilepsy, seizure first aid and impacts on learning. Click here to purchase this training online or call 1300 660 880 to receive a quote and book a face-to-face visit to your school.
Step 3. Hold an epilepsy awareness activity at your school – such as a Purple Day (where students dress up in purple). Click here for more information on how you can easily complete step 3 of your Smart Schools recognition process.
If you have children in your school who require emergency medication in the event of a seizure, you will need to train a small pool of staff in Midazolam or other Emergency Medication Administration, in line with your student’s individual care plan. Call 1300 660 880 to book face-to-face training with one of our experienced Nurse Educators or to arrange a live interactive webinar training session. To become fully recognised as an Epilepsy Smart School this practical training must be completed if you have children in your care who require emergency medication in the event of a seizure.
Visit www.epilepsysmartschools.org.au to learn how your school can become recognised as an Epilepsy Smart School or to access free online resources, including Epilepsy Management Plan Templates, Emergency Medication Management Plan Templates, parent and teacher help-sheets, learning plan templates, curriculum resources and much more.
Program benefits:
What are the benefits of being an Epilepsy Smart School?
- You are promoting a safe and inclusive environment for students living with epilepsy.
- Your students are able to reach their academic potential.
- School staff will have a better understanding of what is expected of teachers in supporting a student living with epilepsy in accordance with the Disability Standards for Education 2005.
- Teacher standards are being adhered to in relation to supporting all students in a safe and inclusive manner.
- Teachers will have the opportunity to participate in continuing professional development.
- Your school has the opportunity to play an important part in raising epilepsy awareness.
Register to become Epilepsy Smart today!
DISCLAIMER
Important Message: The information contained within this website is not intended to take the place of individual medical advice. Do not make changes to treatment or medications without first discussing with your treating clinician.
EVENTS
- Purple Walk for Epilepsy WA and Family Fun Day,
March 26, 2023 - Purple Lights 4 Epilepsy WA, March 26, 2023