The Role of School

The role of the school liaison co-ordinator

It is recommended that the school nominates a staff member to be the school liaison coordinator. The school coordinator will liaise with others on behalf of the student and their family. The school liaison coordinator may have the title 'student welfare coordinator' or 'year level coordinator'.

The main role of the school liaison coordinator is to

• monitor and/co-ordinate the student's educational pathway
• be informed about the student's disease and maintain contact with the family and the hospital
• assist the school in becoming informed (as much as the parents and the student agree is relevant)
• understand the likely nature and extent of physical, intellectual and emotional needs and the implications in terms of the student's adjustment
• inform other parents of the need to contact the school immediately if their son/daughter has measles or chickenpox as these pose serious threats to the child/young person undergoing cancer treatment
• ensure that staff monitor interactions between the student and other students, both in class and in the school grounds, and inform the coordinator of any issues where appropriate
• encourage classmates to maintain contact with the student while he/she is absent from school
• act quickly to dispel any myths, misunderstandings and fears about cancer
• be aware of any siblings that attend the school and inform relevant staff of the situation
• ensure modifications are made to the curriculum where needed, for example in sport, and extensions for assignments are considered
• remind staff members that there needs to be a balance between realistic expectations of what the student can do and the possibility that they may try to avoid tasks which are possible for them to attempt

Strategies for school co-ordinators

• Coordinate Program Support Group Meetings
• Establish a consistent and clear policy at the school level to assist with communication,curriculum and welfare issues that may arise and ensure that parents, teachers and health/education professionals at the hospital are aware of these procedures and practices
• Inform school friends and peers about the student's diagnosis or arrange a school visit by staff from the hospital where the student is receiving treatment
• Act as a liaison person between school staff and the support services, for example, education advisor, social worker, clinical nurse coordinator
• Organise visiting teachers to liaise with the school/family and hospital, to assist with the maintenance of school of origin program and the student's re-entry/transition to school
• Enquire about the possibility of integration support from the regional disability and welfare coordinator or the Catholic Education Office
• Maintain regular contact with siblings and their teachers to monitor their needs

Returning to 'normal'

Completing therapy is a major milestone and it should be associated with relief and with a renewed optimism of returning to a normal life. However it is a time of transition from a space where life is dominated and supported by medical treatment, hospital visits and appointments. The side effects of treatment are still being felt and it is anticipated that it may take up to 6 months to get back to feeling normal. Re-establishing relationships and study habits as well as getting back into to routine, will take time and understanding by friends, family and school staff.