Educational support programme

Many people we work with have been failed by the education system. Family breakdown, abuse, violence, neglect and homelessness all have an impact on educational achievement.

63% of young people moving into our children's homes in England do not have a school place.

Even those who do go to school face enormous difficulties. They have missed out on some of the essential building blocks of education. Many lack basic skills such as literacy, numeracy, social and communication skills.

The consequences of this can last a lifetime. Lack of educational attainment can lead to social exclusion, antisocial behaviour, and the onset of offending.

All children in placements with St Christopher’s are supported to attend school and are supported with their learning. We employ consultants with educational expertise to help foster carers support the educational needs of the children in their placements.

How we support the educational needs of children in placement
Our education consultants:

• Offer advice to carers on their legal responsibilities and school policies/procedures

• Provide training around educational issues to managers, social work staff and foster carers

• Offer advice and guidance to foster carers concerning schools, colleges and nurseries.

• Help staff and foster carers identify who does what in any particular local authority.

• Ensure that all agencies involved in the young person's education are working in partnership with common goals.

• Help with applications for school places and making appeals as necessary.

• Closely monitor Local Education Authorities' (LEAs) obligation to provide education for looked-after children within 20 school days of entering the care system

• Provide signposts to access tuition until a school place is found

• Closely monitor school attendance records. This enables us to deal with any problems

• Support carers and staff who need to attend planning meetings, reviews, school panels and other agencies relevant to education

• Signpost support available for children who speak English as a second language 

• Support foster carers in promoting the child's educational welfare

• Provide an annual audit around educational performance of children in placement.

If you are interested in commissioning St Christopher’s services, call 0208 780 7800 and ask for Development - or click here