Tuition Service

What is the Tuition Service?

The Tuition Service provides temporary educational support for pupils who are unable to attend school for medical reasons. The purpose is to minimise disruption to education for children who are physically ill, injured, or have mental health difficulties.

What does the service do?

The Tuition Service provides temporary educational support for pupils who are unable to attend school for medical reasons. The purpose is to minimise disruption to education for children who are physically ill, injured or have mental health difficulties. The service aims to provide a full as possible curriculum access to enable these pupils to return smoothly to school as soon as their health permits.

To qualify for tuition a pupil must satisfy all the following criteria:

• Expected to be absent from school for at least 15 school days
• The pupil must live within the East Riding of Yorkshire Council area
• The pupil must be of compulsory school age
• A written recommendation must be obtained from a hospital consultant, senior clinical medical officer or specialist medical team stating that the child is unable to attend school and tuition is appropriate.

When will support start?

Pupils who are expected to be absent from school for more than 15 school days are eligible to receive support once the Tuition Coordinator has received a written recommendation from the appropriate medical authority. The written recommendation must confirm that the child is unable to attend school and clearly request that tuition should be allocated.

Once supported by the appropriate medical authority up to 10 hours of tuition support is available per week. Recommendations with regard to physical illness or injury are generally sought from the senior clinical medical officer or hospital consultant who has been treating the child.

On those occasions where a child is suffering from severe emotional or psychological problems, which prevent attendance at school, a recommendation will be sought from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

How does the service operate?

Every school has a member of staff with responsibility for pupils who cannot attend because of medical needs. This member of staff should see that the Tuition Service is contacted promptly and the appropriate referral form is completed.

Occasionally requests for tuition support come directly from the child’s specialist/hospital consultant or the medical team at the hospital where they are being treated. Sometimes requests come from an Education Welfare Officer. The stages below illustrate the normal process and procedures which operate:

1. Referral made to the East Riding Tuition Service
2. HTS obtains a written recommendation from the appropriate medical professional which supports the pupil's absence from school and need for a period of tuition support
3. Tuition Coordinator completes an initial tuition assessment visit
4. Tutor allocated and tuition commences
5. For long term cases, the tuition arrangement will be reviewed formally each school term
6. Tuition continues until the pupil is able to return to school at which point the tuition is withdrawn.

What support is available for pregnant schoolgirls and young mothers?

The Tuition Service also provides support for pregnant schoolgirls and young mothers in the same way as it does for children with medical needs. However, girls are encouraged to remain at school for as long as they can as tuition is not generally provided until around 4 to 6 weeks before the pupil’s due date. Some pupils continue to study in school beyond this point.

Pregnant schoolgirls are entitled to 5 hours of tuition support per week which lasts for an 18 week period. Young mothers are expected to return to school once they are fit to do so but attendance is tailored to fit individual circumstances and, for most pupils, will involve a gradual reintroduction to school to allow both mother and baby to adjust.

Are you returning to school?

All pupils receive support from the service in the knowledge that their ultimate goal should be to return to school as soon as their health permits.

Most pupils are able to return to full-time education once their convalescence is over. Should special arrangements be advised by health professionals then school and tutor, in consultation with parents, will ensure they are in hand. However, if the necessary arrangements are complex or the pupil has emotional difficulties and is anxious, then the tutor may make arrangements for a supported return to school.

Following consultation with pupil, parent, school, and service an individual programme of gradual reintegration will be arranged and tailored to the pupil’s needs. Tutors often provide tuition sessions on the school site or in-class support, as a means of helping their pupils gradually adjust to the school environment.

How should support be requested for a pupil with medical needs?

Parents who feel their child requires tuition should make a request for tuition via the school where they are enrolled. 

Schools can then complete the Tuition Referral Form (available to download below) and forward (post or e-mail) to the Tuition Coordinator.

Tuition Service Referral Form (word 22kb)

Who is the Local Authority contact?

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Tuition Service directly using the following details:

Tuition Service
Children and Young People
Specialist Services
County Hall
Cross Street
Beverley
HU17 9BA.

Tel: (01482) 392146

E-mail: education.welfare@eastriding.gov.uk