Education Support for Medical Absence (ESMA) teaching service

ESMA is a teaching service for students unable to attend school for medical reasons.

• it delivers high quality teaching in the core subjects
• it complements the school’s support plan
• it provides reintegration support to schools

Find out more about the ESMA service on the Local Offer

How to refer?

Referrals are made by the schools via the Hertfordshire Service Request form along with the baseline information form to the relevant ISL geographical area.

The referral should include:

• signed parental consent.
• copy of school reduced timetable, in line with HCC guidance on reduced timetables.
• copy of Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle.
• copy of the current treatment plan and the named medical contact.
• for pupils receiving additional funding (through either an EHCP or Local High Needs Funding and/or Pupil Premium Grant) the school should state in the reintegration plan how this funding is being used.

Statutory guidance

DfE: Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school

DfE: Supporting pupils with medical conditions at school