Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support parents looking after ill children (i) in the long-term and (ii) immediately after diagnosis.

This government is committed to properly supporting pupils with medical conditions, and their parents, at home and school. As per Section 97 (3b) of the Children’s and Families Act 2014, parent carers have the right to request an assessment of their need for support from the local authority. Having been assessed, Section 17 (10b) of the Children’s Acts 1989 makes provision for a child whose physical or mental health is impaired, as well as his or her family, to receive the appropriate support services from the local authority.