Education of Looked After Children
Promoting the Education of Children and Young People in Public Care in Bracknell Forest
Children and young people 'in public care' are also referred to as 'looked after children'. They are either:
- On care orders made by a court, where the Local Authority will assume responsibility for the child, in most cases working with the child's family
- Or accommodated by the Local Authority with the parents agreement, where they are unable to provide for the child's welfare. In this case parents can resume care of their child at any time, and they retain full parental responsibility
Why do we need to support the education of young people in care?
- We are their 'corporate parents'. This is the term given to the Local Authority as a whole. Corporate parents are expected to prioritise education for children in their care and advocate for them as we would for our own children
- National research has shown that young people in care consistently under-achieve significantly at school
- A good education provides a sound basis for transition to a fulfilling and successful adult life
- School provides stability, continuity and normality for children in public care
What are we doing to improve the educational experiences and attainments of young people in care in Bracknell Forest?
- Provide training, advice and support for:- foster carers and adoptive parents; social workers; school staff including Governors; others as the need is identified
- Continue with the programme providing PC's and internet access to individual LAC
- Promote the availability of relevant books
- Fund personal tutors at appropriate times
- Encourage participation in out of school activities
- Monitor attendance and address specific issues
- Work pro-actively with individuals and interested parties to minimise exclusions
- Monitor the academic progress of all our LAC, to highlight areas of difficulty requiring extra support
- Liaise with designated teachers to ensure that all LAC have a current and meaningful personal education plan in place
- Identify any schools requiring additional support or resources to promote the education of LAC at their school
- Develop systems to celebrate achievements of LAC
- Identify any mental or physical health problems which may affect the education of a LAC
- Support the education of LAC post 16 and pre-school
- Liaise closely with schools and educational institutions outside Bracknell Forest
If you need any support or advice regarding educational issues for a young person in care or would like further information on anything on this page please contact: Tony Mansfield, the Education Co-Ordinator for Children in Public Care
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