School years are busy and complex, balancing physical and emotional development as well as gaining an education and learning skills that will take you forward as a teenager and young adult. Adding in the management of Addison’s or another type of adrenal insufficiency can seem daunting.
As an 'invisible condition' that requires a strict treatment programme, it can also be difficult for people around you; family, friends and teachers, to understand what you need and when. Our resources are here to help.
At the ADSHG, we want to provide information and resources that will support young people with adrenal insufficiency through their education and give them, and those around them, the confidence to manage their condition during these important years.
We have started by focusing on young people navigating secondary school. Recognising that it is key to have input from clinicians, parents, teachers and young people with adrenal insufficiency, we have developed the resources below in collaboration with, and with input or feedback from all of those groups.
'Managing Adrenal Insufficiency, including Addison's Disease, during Secondary School'
This comprehensive 45-page booklet has been put together with the aim that every young person with adrenal insufficiency can feel safe and confident at secondary school and participate fully in getting the most out of these important years of their lives.
It is packed with information for young people aged 11-18, their families and their school team.
It includes an overview of adrenal insufficiency, including Addison's, key considerations in the school environment, school and parent roles and responsibilities, statutory requirements for schools to meet, and a section with FAQs for students.
Supplementary resources
This booklet is supported by the supplementary resources below, to offer students, their families and their schools a starting place from which to understand key considerations, particularly in relation to medication management (time-critical) and the prevention and treatment of adrenal crisis.
Emergency Flowchart posters
Available in both A3 and A4, these posters are designed for the wall of school first aid/medical rooms, as a reminder to staff (and students) of how to manage a suspected adrenal crisis.
Available to buy soon!
Medication log
A double-sided form (A4) that can be printed by a school to keep a record of medication issued to a student, or used as a prompt as to what records they need to keep.
Available to buy soon
Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP)Template (coming soon!)
Designed to help secondary schools safely support students by documenting their medical needs, medication, emergency treatment requirements, and individual support arrangements.
It provides clear guidance on adrenal crisis management, daily medication, school activities, trips, and staff responsibilities, helping ensure students can participate in education safely and on an equal basis with their peers.
Coming soon!
School Trip Record
Helping schools plan and record the medical support, medication arrangements, risk assessments, and emergency procedures needed for students with adrenal insufficiency during school trips.
It provides clear guidance for staff on adrenal crisis management, pre-trip checks, daily medication logging, and essential emergency contacts to help keep students safe while away from school.
Author Group
These resources are the result of input from a multi-disciplinary working group, brought together by the ADSHG. They have been over 18 months in the making!
Project lead: Cathy Thompson, ADSHG Director
As Director of the ADSHG, Cathy oversees ADSHG projects and campaigns, keeping in line with the strategy set by the charity's Trustee Board, and always working towards our vision of a world where Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency are recognised early, and managed effectively so that anyone affected can live confidently and thrive.
Francine Allgood
Francine is a university lecturer and a mother of two. Her eldest daughter was diagnosed with Addison’s disease at the age of 12.The transition to secondary school following an adrenal crisis which resulted in a diagnosis was challenging. During the following years, the school worked with us to ensure a safe environment was provided.
It has been an honour to be involved in producing what I hope will be an invaluable resource for secondary schools, young people with Addison’s and adrenal insufficiency and parents and carers.
Joanne Brown
Joanne is an Endocrine Clinical Nurse Specialist working for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust. She has an interest in supporting patients with adrenal insufficiency and has appreciated the opportunity to be involved with the development of this booklet. She often supports the
ADSHG by raising awareness and sharing her expertise.
Kate Davies
Kate is a Children’s Advanced Nurse Practitioner, specialising in paediatric endocrinology since 2000. She holds a BSc in Psychology, two MScs, and has advanced clinical skills, including Non-Medical Prescribing. Kate is also a Nurse Teacher, with expertise in growth,
puberty, adrenal disorders, and neuro-endocrine late effects of brain tumours. She began her PhD in 2021 on congenital adrenal hyperplasia and is an Associate Professor in Paediatric Prescribing and Endocrinology. She is a Nurse Advisor on the Living with CAH committee.
Fiona Ledson
Fiona is an experienced Head of Physical Education with a
strong passion for student wellbeing and inclusive practices. Her commitment to raising awareness of Addison’s disease grew after her daughter’s diagnosis. Fiona advocates for students with the condition, highlighting challenges they face and promoting resources
to help schools offer safe, informed, and compassionate support. Combining her education expertise and personal insight, Fiona is dedicated to ensuring students with Addison’s disease thrive both academically and personally.
Chloe Mezzetti
In her role as Community Fundraising Manager at the ADSHG, Chloe supports and guides fundraisers while leading fundraising campaigns and contributing to awareness initiatives to engage the wider community. She is thrilled to bring her lived experience of Addison’s disease to the working group, helping develop a resource that supports children and young people with adrenal insufficiency, including Addison’s.
Philippa Sharman
Philippa is the Communications and Health Liaison Manager at the ADSHG, working with healthcare professionals, researchers and organisations to improve education, awareness and safer care for people with steroid-dependency. She listens to the community’s lived
experiences, putting in place what they need in order to be aware, be prepared and be understood. Philippa has been involved with the charity since her diagnosis in her early teens and has managed Addison’s through school, university and working life, both in the day-to-day and in an emergency.
Design
Harris Lam
Thank you!
We would like to extend a huge thank you to Immedica pharma (previously Neurocrine Biosciences) for the provision of an unrestricted educational grant to go towards some of the design and printing for the first batch of these resources.
Please note that Immedica pharma have played no role in the development of the content of these resources.
