Look out for these icons which will direct you to info targeted
If you have got M.E. and you're not able to go to school full-time, or even at all, you're still allowed to have an education. The government says that young people up to the age of 18 should be able to do as much school work as their illness allows.
In November 2001 the government's education department wrote a report called 'Access to Education for Children and Young People with Medical Needs'. This states how your school and other people in education should treat you, if you cannot go to school because of your illness.
It is a fairly long document (48 pages) but it is laid out so its easy to read. You or your parents can download it in full from the government education website or contact Department for Education and Skills on 020 7925 5000 for a copy Ref: 0732/2001.
There are also other documents on this website that you and your family might find useful.
The report talks about children like you who have M.E. and it states that:
'Some young people will be too severely affected by their illness to participate in any form of education. A resumption of education, in whatever form, should be planned in a way which ensures that children and young people do not feel under pressure to study but are encouraged to do so in a way which is likely to be sustainable.' (p.15)
The report also talks about what your school should be doing to help you. For example it says that your school should:
Find out more about your rights when you are ill.
Read how other young people with M.E. describe their symptoms in Reality Bytes.
Information produced February 2004
