School Absence Policies: A Barrier to Healthcare for Young People?
How we balance young people's right to healthcare and their right to education?
First of all—sorry for my absence. General business and then being sick prevented me, but I had this blog idea for a while. It’s a bit controversial so I’m keen to hear what you think.
School absence policies, although intended to ensure students receive their education, can inadvertently create barriers to healthcare access for children. This is especially true for sensitive health issues like sexual health, mental health, and gender identity, where young people may need confidential care without parental knowledge or consent.
Why is that then?
It’s all rather complex. As school leaders, this might be a result of policy-making where you can’t win—but here’s why:
Fear of Disclosure: Many school policies require parental notification for any absence, regardless of the reason. This can deter young people from seeking necessary healthcare if they fear their parents will be informed. This fear is particularly acute for marginalised youth who may face negative repercussions at home for seeking care related to sexual health, gender identity, or mental health concerns.
Compromised Confidentiality: Even if a school doesn't explicitly disclose the reason for an absence, the mere notification that a child was absent can compromise their confidentiality. This can discourage young people from seeking help from school-based health services or external providers, as they may worry that their privacy will not be respected.
Undermining Gillick Competency: Legal principles like Gillick competence allow young people to consent to their own medical treatment if they have sufficient maturity and understanding. However, school absence policies that require parental notification can undermine this right, forcing young people to involve their parents in decisions they are legally entitled to make on their own.
As you can see, the challenges are complex and something as simple as a school absence policy can reverberate unless there are carefully thought-out exceptions. I remember when I was at college, there was a mandatory requirement for absences to be shared with my guardian, and for my guardian to authorise absences. This continued when I was 18 and 19. Forget whether that compromised my human rights, what about GDPR?
Are there other consequences?
Absoutely.
Discouraging Preventative Care: Fear of disclosure and compromised confidentiality can lead young people to delay or avoid seeking preventative care, potentially resulting in more serious health issues down the line. This can have long-term consequences for their physical and mental well-being.
Missed Opportunities for Early Intervention: Schools can play a vital role in identifying and addressing health issues early on. However, when young people are discouraged from seeking help due to absence policies, opportunities for early intervention are missed. This can lead to more complex and costly interventions later on.
What are the different options?
Schools, colleges and sixth forms should consider reviewing absence policies to ensure they do not create unnecessary barriers to healthcare access for young people. Here are some recommendations:
Allow for excused absences for medical appointments without requiring parental notification.
Train staff on confidentiality and the importance of respecting young people's privacy.
Establish clear protocols for communicating with parents about absences while protecting student confidentiality.
Provide information to students about their rights to confidential healthcare and how to access it.
Partner with healthcare providers to offer on-site services that minimise disruption to school attendance.
By implementing these recommendations, schools can create a supportive environment that encourages young people to seek the care they need without fear of reprisal or compromised confidentiality.
And in summary?
School absence policies, while well-intentioned, can hinder students' access to healthcare, particularly for sensitive issues like sexual health, mental health, and gender identity. Fear of parental notification can discourage young people from seeking necessary care, compromising their confidentiality and undermining their right to make independent decisions about their health. This can lead to missed opportunities for early intervention and preventative care, potentially resulting in more serious health issues down the line. Schools should review their absence policies to ensure they protect student privacy and facilitate access to confidential healthcare.
Can you help me?
Not really! You might want to ask an expert in this area, and not a trouble-maker like me!
For anything else, though? Please get in touch:
Did you like this post? Think you have a friend who might want to read it?
Make sure you don’t miss any of my other posts: