Keeping Connected: Identity, social connection and education for young people living with chronic illness

The ‘Keeping Connected’ project was a three year project \ud (2006-2009) co-funded by the Australian Research Council\ud and The Royal Children’s Hospital Education Institute.\ud Its focus was on young people who experience chronic illness-related \ud interruptions to their schooling. Its aims were to make visible the young\ud people, their experiences, voices, and concerns, and to explore the ways\ud in which they were being supported or hampered in various aspects\ud of their education trajectories. \ud The project brought together a large multi-disciplinary research team working\ud in collaboration with the RCH Education Institute with the aim of achieving\ud a better understanding of issues related to the support and engagement\ud of young people living and learning with ongoing health conditions.\ud Who and what do young people feel is important in creating, strengthening,\ud and maintaining educational and social connections in their lives? What do \ud parents feel are significant supports or challenges for young people (and their \ud families) experiencing interrupted schooling due to ongoing health issues?\ud What do education and health care professionals see as key areas of focus\ud in supporting young people to maintain social and educational connections?\ud This report highlights the clear and pressing need for a system of advocacy\ud on the part of young people and families within both health and education\ud systems—and between schools and hospitals. The Royal Children’s Hospital \ud Education Institute is well positioned to influence policy and practice\ud across these sectors