Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what provision and educational support is given to children and young people who are out of school long term with cancer.

Local authorities have a duty, under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996, to arrange a suitable education for children of compulsory school age unable to receive their education in school because of any illness, including cancer.

Children who are unable to attend school because of a health need should be able to access suitable and flexible education appropriate to their needs. The nature of the provision must be responsive to the demands of what may be a changing health status.

Provision for children who are not attending school due to their health needs should offer good quality education equivalent to that provided in mainstream schools, as far as the child’s health needs allow.