Help for children with cancer

A charity has released a report today that has found that children with cancer are not given enough support when they return to school after treatment.

The cancer charity CLIC Sargent surveyed parents including those of Oliver Roberts from Gateshead, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was five years old.

Oliver fell behind at school during his chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

It has taken two years to get a written statement of the help that he now needs to catch up.

Oliver's parents say that the school did what they could to help - but the system of applying for extra support is too complicated.

In a statement from the local authority regarding Oliver's case, Martin Grey, service director of children’s commissioning, said:

*“Each case like this is assessed individually taking into account all the relevant clinical advice working with the family, school and other agencies involved. *

As a local authority it is our role to support children and families to enable young people to improve and reach their potential whatever the circumstances.”