A school does not need to use one MIPACE format for every pupil or every situation. A device can travel with a child, be worn where that is appropriate, or provide a separate access point in a controlled staff area. The important part is that each device opens the current profile selected and maintained by the parent or personal account holder.
Devices that travel with the pupil
A LinkTag Keyring, Cord Loop or Clip can be attached to a suitable school bag, zip or case. A Card and Lanyard or LinkTag Lanyard can provide a more visible wearable option where the pupil, parent and school consider that appropriate. The format can be chosen around the child rather than asking every child to carry a device in exactly the same way.
A secure access point for SEND or pastoral staff
A school may also keep an organisation-owned MIPACE Sticker or Dot on a suitable internal pupil record, folder or clearly controlled marker. For example, an authorised SEND team member could tap the child’s allocated access point when they need the latest public information that the parent has chosen to share. This can reduce the need to locate the device on the child’s bag and provides a useful fallback if the child’s carried device is temporarily unavailable.
One profile can support more than one access point
The bag tag, wearable device and secure office sticker can connect to the same pupil profile. When the parent updates that profile, each active device opens the current version. Staff are not relying on a handwritten copy that may have become out of date, and the parent does not need to maintain different versions for different devices.
Keep internal placement controlled
A school sticker should not be placed where visitors, other pupils or unauthorised staff can freely tap it. The physical record, marker and device should sit within the school’s normal access controls. The public profile should contain only information the account holder has deliberately made available. MIPACE should complement the school’s safeguarding, SEND, consent, health and information-governance procedures rather than replace them.
Agree the workflow before deployment
Decide who can assign devices, who may tap an internal access point, how parents approve the connection, what staff should do after viewing the profile and what happens when a pupil leaves or a device is lost. Give each device a clear internal name so the organisation can identify whether it is the child’s bag tag, wearable device or office access point.
A practical example
A pupil could have a LinkTag Clip on their bag for trips and everyday movement around school. The SEND office could hold a separate Sticker on the pupil’s secured support folder. Both devices open the same parent-controlled profile. If the parent updates communication guidance or an emergency contact, the next authorised tap opens the current information without the school having to replace the physical devices.
Useful guides
See How Organisation Devices Work and Approving an Organisation-Assigned Device for the assignment and approval process.
Please note: MIPACE supports access to information. It does not replace safeguarding, SEND provision, consent, emergency procedures, medical records, professional assessment or the school’s information-governance responsibilities.