Epilepsy and Seizures

Training of staff

Teachers need to understand the impact of epilepsy on student learning, as well as having epilepsy-specific training in understanding and managing epilepsy.

Epilepsy training may be provided by:

• a recognised epilepsy training provider (for example, Epilepsy Foundation)
• the individual student’s treating health team or health service – dependent on each service’s resourcing and operations.

All relevant school staff who work directly with a student with epilepsy are required to receive the following training:

• Understanding and Managing Epilepsy for Educators (Epilepsy Foundation) – or suitable equivalent online or face-to-face training, and as required
• Administration of Emergency Medication (Epilepsy Foundation) – or suitable equivalent online or face-to-face training with practical demonstration and assessment.

Training must be refreshed every 2 years, or sooner when there is a change in the:

• dose of medication
• route of administration
• seizure type/description.

The Epilepsy Foundation has further information on course options, fees and registration for training.

Funding

Schools may use Disability Inclusion Tier 2 school-level funding for epilepsy-specific training for school-based staff.