Resources for teachers and group leaders

This page will help you to find out more about supporting children in your care and other students, following a cancer diagnosis. 

Who needs support?

If you are a teacher or a group leader you may be looking for information about cancer. You and your colleagues may be supporting a child or young person who has cancer,  or others close to them.  

Cancer is something that most of us experience directly, or indirectly over a lifetime. Some children in your class or group may have family members with cancer. You may also want access to information for lesson plans or be looking for support for yourself. 

Younger children

• Connect with parents/guardians and find out the language they use to discuss cancer in their family.
• This ensures consistent information is being given. Let the parents/guardians know if there is behaviour at school they should be concerned about.

Older children

• Older children may share information about how they are feeling with you that they have not shared with their close family.
• They may worry about upsetting their parents and adding to their worries.
• Respect confidentiality but encourage them to connect with their parents/guardians to let them know how they are feeling.

Students

• Students affected by cancer can feel isolated from their peers.
• Other students may have difficulty relating to the young person with cancer, and sometimes become concerned about their own health.
• Talking to the group as a whole can be helpful. It may be something the student affected by cancer wishes to be part of.

Exam procedures

• Exam boards provide guidance  about special considerations which may apply to person with cancer and those close to them. 
• Teachers will be aware of these. If you are a group leader outside of school encourage the young person in your care to talk to their teachers about how they can help.

Children and young adults respond well to routine, conversations at their own pace and level, honesty and knowing they can ask questions when they are ready.

It's important to recognise the support you need to help look after the child/young adult in your care - look after yourself too.

Maggie's offer flexible support tailored to the individual situation. This may be following diagnosis, or during and after treatment. Sometimes it can be in  preparation for or after bereavement .  

All our support is free and available to the person with cancer and to those close to them. No appointment is needed, you can visit Maggie's centres on Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. 

Young people 16 years or over can visit on their own. However, under 16’s need an adult present.

In addition to individual support,  we offer family support, regular kids days and events and psychology sessions. We can signpost to other organisations and sources of help locally. 

A cancer support specialist will spend time with you to find out how Maggie’s can help the young person directly as well as how to help you to support them.