Dame Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport and former minister, has joined forces with Claire Coutinho, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Children, Families & Wellbeing, to call for stronger educational support for children battling cancer.
Each year, around 4,500 children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer. The lengthy treatments they undergo often result in extended absences from school, which significantly affect their educational progress. Despite this, the government currently lacks comprehensive data on the long-term educational effects of cancer treatment and does not have robust plans in place to help these children catch up academically.
At present, Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs), which provide essential support for young people with special educational needs, are not guaranteed for children undergoing cancer treatment. The approach taken by Local Authorities to provide this support varies considerably across the country.
Dame Caroline has previously collaborated with the Education Advisory Service and the Little Princess Trust, both of which highlight how the absence of EHCPs places children with cancer at a disadvantage. She has raised this issue in the House of Commons, addressing then Minister for Schools, Nick Gibb.
In her recent discussions with Minister Claire Coutinho, Dame Caroline urged changes to Local Authority guidelines regarding EHCPs. She also called on the Department for Education to publish a report evaluating how cancer impacts children’s long-term educational outcomes.
This campaign holds personal significance for Dame Caroline. It was inspired by her constituent Charlotte Fairall from Stubbington, whose 10-year-old daughter Sophie sadly passed away from Rhabdomyosarcoma.
“4,500 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and even if their treatment is a success, this can cause significant disruption to their education and long-term attainment due to absences and the impact of treatment. Provision of EHCPs can help to improve educational outcomes for children with cancer. I have asked the Minister to report on the impact of cancer on children’s educational outcomes, and to consider amending Local Authority Guidance on providing EHCPs. Really pleased to see the Minister engage on this important subject.” said Dame Caroline Dinenage MP.
Dame Caroline brings extensive government experience to this campaign, having served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department of Education and as Minister of State at Health & Social Care.
Originally published by UKNIP.
