Evacuation Chair Training: Latest News and Updates
Every school & college to be obliged to have an evacuation chair & training
The safety of all pupils and staff in schools and colleges is paramount, especially concerning disabled learners' safety. Under the Equality Act 2010, schools and educational premises have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for anyone with a disability. All disabled learners and staff should have a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) in place, regardless of whether they have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
According to current fire safety legislation, those responsible for the building must provide a fire safety risk assessment that includes an emergency evacuation plan suitable for all occupants, including disabled individuals. When a learner with a disability, requiring assistance with building evacuation, enrolls in a school or college, their PEEP should be developed collaboratively as part of the admissions process.
In response to a petition, which closed on 18 August 2025, calling for every school and college to be required to have an evacuation chair and training in its use, the government stated that if a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) necessitates an evacuation chair, it must be provided.
