Education of children in care
Evidence shows that children who are in care generally do less well educationally that their peers.
Trafford is working hard to buck that trend. All relevant agencies work closely together to ensure that children in the care of Trafford are not disadvantaged educationally.
We have high aspirations for our children and young people in care and we are proud of their many achievements.
Aside from considerable specialist support available from colleagues within the Children and Young People's Service, including an Educational Psychologist with lead responsibility for children in care, the following initiatives are in place:
- A school improvement officer (children in care lead), a learning mentor and two support workers work with children who are most in need of educational support and to support carers and staff access the best possible provision for children
- Targeted intensive support from the National Teaching Advisory Service
- A corporate parenting group (education) that has similar responsibilities to a school's governing body, has been established to monitor and promote improved educational achievement of Trafford's children in care
- The designated teachers forum meet regularly to ensure that all professionals work effectively together, by sharing learning, experiences and skills
- The multi-agency children in care panel meet monthly and has a commitment to ensuring that educational plans for all children in care, including those whose needs are the most complex
Useful background reading
Improving the education of children in care - Department for Children, Schools and Families (2009)
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