Dame Caroline Dinenage Pushes for Better School Support for Kids Battling Cancer
Dame Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport and former minister, has teamed up with Claire Coutinho, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Children, Families & Wellbeing, to demand stronger educational support for children fighting cancer.
Children’s Education Suffer as Cancer Treatment Takes Toll
Every year, 4,500 children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer. Lengthy treatment causes prolonged school absences, seriously hitting their educational progress. Yet, the government lacks clear data on the long-term effects or robust plans to help these kids catch up.
Currently, Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs), which outline vital support for young people with special educational needs, are not guaranteed for children battling cancer. Local Authorities vary wildly in how they handle this crucial support.
Caroline Demands Action and a Government Report
Caroline has previously worked with the Education Advisory Service and the Little Princess Trust. Both charities stress how the absence of EHCPs severely disadvantages children with cancer. Caroline even raised this issue directly in the House of Commons to then Minister for Schools, Nick Gibb.
In her latest meeting with Minister Coutinho, Caroline called for changes to Local Authority guidelines around EHCPs. She also urged the Department of Education to publish a report assessing how cancer affects kids’ long-term educational outcomes.
Inspired by Tragic Loss, Campaign for Childhood Cancer Mission Rolls On
This campaign is close to Caroline’s heart. It was sparked by her constituent Charlotte Fairall from Stubbington, whose 10-year-old daughter Sophie tragically lost her life to 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.”
Dame Caroline Dinenage MP
Dame Caroline is no stranger to government, having previously served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department of Education and Minister of State at Health & Social Care.
