Homework Policy PEPs Protocol LACES REFERRAL MEETINGS
3.30-4.00pm for case discussion
4.00pm-6.00pm (allocations)
Who attends?
Bob Horrocks – Education Lead for LAC
Joy Hoy – Temporary PEP manager (chairs PEPs, etc)
Karis McGuire – Specialist Teacher (FOCUS)
Rachel Sawbridge – Education Psychologist for Looked After Children and Young People
Social Work Managers from District Teams, when available
Social workers who would like to discuss an educational issue on a particular child can attend between 3.30pm and 4pm.
Then issues which have arisen between meetings, or that have been discussed in PEPs, are discussed for action and allocation.
Monday 11th Jan @ 3.30, 1st Floor Meeting Room
Monday 1st Feb
Monday 8th Feb
Monday 1st March
Monday 8th March
Monday 22nd March
Monday 12th April
Monday 19th April
Monday 26th April
Monday 10th May
Monday 24th May
LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN EDUCATION SUPPORT TEAM
The team can draw upon the skills of education officers, administration officers, nursing/health advisors, employment workers, emotional health workers, Connexions workers and learning mentors who all specialise in working with Looked After Children and Young People.
Children and young people/social workers and carers should contact us for advice and support in working with a young person who needs help to find a suitable school place or who has other educational needs.
Our nurse can provide or arrange health assessments and help with access to dental treatment. She can also arrange to visit young people to give individual advice. Foster carers and young people can contact the nurse direct for health advice and information on health for the young people they care for.
We can also provide specialist support and referrals for young people experiencing emotional problems.
Services available
We can provide:
• Advice and support to social workers and foster carers about all education issues
• Homework support, individual tuition, extra lessons where needed and support in exams
• Access to a range of courses and benefits for young people who want to go into further education or training
• Activities to develop personal skills and encourage literacy amongst the children and young people we look after
• Heath screening and advice to young people and their carers as well as help in finding GP services or dental care
• Employment and training support and work experience placements for those having left school or young people in Year 10 and 11
Some frequently asked questions
My child is being looked after by Bolton Council. How can you make sure his education doesn't suffer?
Within 20 days of him/her becoming looked after, a meeting will have been organised to ensure your child has a completed personal education plan (PEP). This will consist of a meeting with your child, yourself if possible, their carer, teacher, social worker and, where appropriate, a member of the education team.
The meeting will identify any concerns about your child's education and ensure everybody is working together to address them. The plan will be reviewed every 6 months.
I think the child I care for should have a health assessment. Can the team help and advise me on any health concerns I have for them?
Your child's social worker should be your first point of contact. However, in consultation, our specialist Looked After Children (LAC) Nurse can complete Health Assessments on young people aged 11+, she can talk with you or the young person in confidence about health worries and make arrangements for them to see a GP if they or you would prefer this.
Young people aged under 10 will be seen initially by the Looked After Children Paediatrician and then by school-based nurses who will be aware of their LAC status.
A specialist young person's emotional health service is also available in partnership with Bolton PCT Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. (CAMHS)
Do young people have to be referred to the team by their social worker to get help with their education or health?
Ideally, yes! However, they or their carers can contact us directly if necessary to discuss what help and support they may need with education. We work closely with social workers and schools and can make sure the personal education plan is up-to- date and being implemented effectively.
The young person I care for is taking GCSEs this summer and could do with some extra help and support. Can the team help me?
We will be more than happy to discuss options with you. We can arrange for a range of services including computer revision packages, extra support from school and even provide a specialist learning mentor if it is felt appropriate.
I want to encourage the young person I care for to get fit and healthy. What help can you offer?
We can provide expert help, advice and support on encouraging young people to eat and drink healthily and avoid the dangers of alcohol/smoking or substance misuse. We run a healthy homes scheme which allows you and your family to measure how healthy your home is and win a 'Healthy Home' award.
Where appropriate, our health advisor or one of her colleagues can provide young people with friendly information on contraception/sexual health and avoiding pregnancy.
The team can also provide 'access all areas' free leisure cards for Bolton leisure centres for looked after children, the cards allow access for young people and two adults so you can attend with them for free. We have provided help with young people's specific leisure requirements as diverse as arranging swimming lessons, dancing or learning to climb. Please contact Anne Parry on 01204 338973 for details.
I am a foster carer for Bolton Council and I am concerned about the progress my foster child is making in school; his reading is very poor. Can I get advice and talk about this with you?
Yes, you can contact us and talk to one of our education officers who will be able to give helpful suggestions about what you can ask the school to do to help. Our education officer staff can contact the teacher at the school your foster child goes to (on your behalf if you want) and raise your concerns.
Personal Education Plan meetings can be called at any time you feel extra help, support or advice is needed. The team work in partnership with Bolton's Literacy Trust whose specialist mentor will be pleased to talk to you and ensure your child gets interesting books and other help and encouragement to enjoy their reading.
Misha has left school and is out of work. I want to find out about training courses and what might be available for her, can you help?
Yes, Bolton Connexions are part of our team and understand the extra services young people who are or have been looked after may require. If you contact us, we will arrange for the Connexions Looked After Children's worker to come and have a chat, tell Misha about the range of courses which are available and help her apply for a place. We also have strong links with Bolton College and Bolton University who will be pleased to help and encourage Misha to consider further and higher education. Bolton University are offering grants of £2,000 for Bolton looked after young people who enrole for undergraduate courses with them. All young people going to university are eligible for a further £1,000 from Bolton Children's Services.
We will also be able to tell you about the range of benefits available to looked after children who are in education and training so that finance need not be a worry.
The team also run a paid work experience scheme specifically for looked after young people, which can arrange a 3-month paid placement within a Bolton Council department. The scheme has a manager who will be pleased to talk with Misha and yourself to find the best placement for her.
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