School Toolkit launched by Juvenile Arthritis Research to recognise and support children with arthritis in school.

Children get arthritis, tooEvery week, 20 families in the UK are told that their child has a condition most have never heard of – Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Many of these will have been in pain for weeks, months or even years waiting for a diagnosis. And from that point, it is a diagnosis that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

Why schools matter

Research* has shown that teachers and school staff can be amongst the first to notice that something is wrong with a child. Knowing the signs and symptoms of JIA and being able to signpost to the correct services, could help a child receive that vital prompt diagnosis.

Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, JIA can cause permanent damage to joints and long-term disability. It could even lead to the loss of eye sight through JIA-related uveitis.

For those already diagnosed, schools play an instrumental role in enabling a child with JIA to live a full life and fulfil their potential at school. The newly launched School Toolkit from Juvenile Arthritis Research, available free of charge to schools and educational settings in the UK, enables staff to confidently support children with JIA in their setting.

How can I get my free School Toolkit?

Educational settings in the UK can request a free School Toolkit from www.jarproject.org/toolkit.

“Wow – it’s fantastic, the student presentation is particularly impressive with how it
translates all the key information in a child friendly manner.” Miss Crawley, Woodlands School

* Rapley T, May C, Smith N, Foster HE. ‘Snakes & Ladders’: factors influencing access to appropriate care for children and young people with
suspected juvenile idiopathic arthritis – a qualitative study. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2021;19(1):43.