About Us

About Us

Back on Track Foundation is Western Australia’s only dedicated education advocacy program for children recovering from cancer. We provide direct, personalised support to ensure children and their siblings remain engaged in education, both during and after treatment.

A cancer diagnosis disrupts every aspect of a child’s life, and education is often one of the biggest casualties. Extended hospital stays, treatment side effects, and emotional trauma can make learning difficult. Many children face anxiety about falling behind, losing friendships, or returning to school looking or feeling different. Even years after treatment, some students struggle with the increasing demands of high school as cognitive fatigue, PTSD, or long-term effects of treatment take their toll.

That’s why our approach is tailored and child-specific. We recognise that every student’s experience is different, and so is the support they need. Whether a child is undergoing treatment, in remission, or facing new challenges long after treatment has ended, we are there to ensure they feel supported, connected, and capable of continuing their education.

More Than Just Learning – Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing

Returning to school isn’t just about academics. The social and emotional impact of childhood cancer can make reintegration incredibly difficult. Many students experience:

• Anxiety about falling behind their peers
• Social isolation due to long absences or changed physical appearance
• Cognitive fatigue and difficulty concentrating
• PTSD-related school avoidance
• Low self-esteem and a lack of confidence in their abilities

We help students navigate these challenges by working closely with families, schools, and medical teams to ensure they have the emotional and educational support they need. Our goal is to restore their confidence in learning and help them feel connected to their school community.

How We Support Children and Families

We take a hands-on, individualised approach to helping children return to education, offering:

• Education Advocacy: We work directly with schools to ensure children receive necessary adjustments, such as flexible learning plans, catch-up strategies, and emotional support.
• In-Home and Remote Learning Support: Whether a child is in the hospital, recovering at home, or transitioning back to school, we provide ongoing educational support tailored to their needs.
• Sibling Support: We recognise that a cancer diagnosis affects the whole family. Siblings are included in our program to ensure their education remains on track.
• Long-Term Support for Survivors: Many students face learning challenges years after treatment, particularly in high school when workloads increase. We provide ongoing support to ensure they can complete their education and plan for the future.
• Collaboration with Medical Teams: We partner with Perth Children’s Hospital’s Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology and Haematology team and the Paediatric Oncology Survivorship Program, ensuring a seamless connection between medical care and education.

Our Vision for the Future

While our focus remains on Western Australia, we know the need for this support extends far beyond state lines. Our long-term vision is to reach every child in Australia who has faced cancer, ensuring no one is left behind in their education. We continue to expand our impact, strengthen partnerships, and advocate for better education outcomes for children and families navigating childhood cancer.

The success of our students speaks for itself—many aim to pursue careers in medicine, research, and other fields, proving that cancer does not have to define their future. With the right support, they can thrive, and we are committed to making that possible.