Health barriers to learning: the prevalence and educational consequences in disadvantaged children; a review of the literature

This report describes the Health Barriers to Learning and the supporting evidence base for their impact on academic success. It also describes the disproportionate prevalence of HBLs in disadvantaged children, the extent of unmet need for services for identification, management and treatment, and each HBL’s impact on learning. Screening and management for each of these should be essential to supporting school and learning readiness. This report offers parents, practitioners and policymakers in the healthcare, education and children’s services sectors recommendations to strengthen and integrate the safety net for children.