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Pupils: Cancer

Answer

In 2014, the government introduced a new duty on schools to support pupils with medical conditions and has published statutory guidance on this for schools and others to follow. The guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3.

The guidance does not specify which medical conditions should be supported in schools. Instead, it focuses on the needs of each individual child and how their medical condition impacts on school life. It is clear that pupils at school with medical conditions should be properly supported so that they have full access to education.

The guidance is clear that schools, local authorities, health professionals, commissioners and other support services should work together to ensure that children with medical conditions receive a full education. I met with the Health Conditions in Schools Alliance earlier this year, which includes representation from CLIC Sargent to discuss this.

Schools also have duties under the Equalities Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments and not to discriminate against disabled children, including those with long-term health conditions, such as bowel and bladder cancer in relation to their access to education and associated services. Schools must make reasonable adjustments to their practices, procedures and policies to ensure that they are not putting those with long-term health problems at a disadvantage.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

166504

Session

2017-19

Subjects

Pupils Bowel cancer Bladder cancer

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk