Education provision for teenagers with cancer in Wales: Education practitioners’ perspectives

Jones, Mitchell 2025. Education provision for teenagers with cancer in Wales: Education practitioners’ perspectives. EdD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

Preview	PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Download (1MB) | Preview
	PDF (Cardiff University Electronic Publication Form) - Supplemental Material Restricted to Repository staff only Download (123kB)

Abstract

Cancer incidence rates in young people in the United Kingdom have increased over the last two decades, yet there has been a decline in cancer mortality. In recent years, a greater emphasis has been placed on enabling young people with cancer to focus on their life beyond successful treatment, including pursuing educational opportunities. However, there is little research examining the provision of education for young people who have a cancer diagnosis. Drawing primarily upon eight interviews with educators based in Wales (UK) and a secondary analysis of relevant policies, reports and guidelines, I explore how education is delivered for young people with cancer from diagnosis to reintegration. This includes consideration of the extent to which young people living with cancer are enabled and empowered to have access to the same educational opportunities as their peers. The analyses show that participants recognised the importance of implementing adaptable, personalised educational approaches, though this often occurred alongside resource-related challenges. Educators also referenced the pivotal role that collaboration plays in educating young people with cancer, highlighting the benefits and challenges of clear communication strategies and proactive professional cooperation towards shared expertise and best practices. I continue by analysing how educational practice is governed and reveal a disconnect between policy and practice, as well as deficiencies that impact educators’ abilities to offer a consistent level of provision across Wales. To conclude, I comment on the need for greater leadership for overcoming the challenges posed by inadequate policy and interprofessional collaboration, and consider the opportunities that flexible technology-based learning pathways could bring to improve the education experiences of young people with a cancer diagnosis.

Item Type:	Thesis (EdD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	16 June 2025
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2025 11:20
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/179066

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item