LAC - Denbighshire County Borough Council

Proposals 2008-2009

• Set up additional packages aimed to meet the needs of all LAC pupils for whom Denbighshire are the Corporate Parent to encourage engagement with education and provide opportunities to promote best outcomes.
• Provision of GCSE booklets and other resources.
• Additional private tuition for up to three subjects per pupil in preparation for GCSE and other exams and assessments.
• Participation in the Phoenix Project which is a very intense educational programme delivered by the Fire and Rescue Service.
• Funding of extra-curricular lessons and educational visits.  Particular emphasis on support of pupils with SEN, who can benefit greatly from such activities; but, also, on individually organised arrangements.  
• Provision of teacher assistant support for individual pupils who are in danger of exclusion or who are otherwise struggling in their educational setting.  Main focus on pastoral support and mentoring.
• Provide teacher cover to allow Designated Teachers in secondary schools to be released from teaching duties for the purpose of attending LAC Coordinator liaison meetings on a termly basis.  This would be an opportunity for joint planning, sharing of good practice between schools and also provide specific training to enhance the quality of work with Looked After Children in Schools.
• Foster Carers Support event – provide an opportunity to raise awareness of all agencies that support children in School.  Opportunity to network and pick up advice and information about support services.

Summary of Proposal

1. Phoenix Project:

The Phoenix Project is a Fire and Rescue initiative aimed at young people between the ages of 13 and 17. The aim of the project is to address issues within young people ranging from low self esteem and lack of confidence to anti social behaviour and fire related problems such as arson. The programme develops in young people a number of important skills such as working as a team and problem solving and is a very disciplined programme. Between ten and twelve young people would participate in this programme each year.  Young people completing the programme would achieve five certificates during the week for various accreditations such as Home Fire Safety, Manual handling etc.

2. Additional tuition:

Additional ‘private tuition’ to be provided prior to examinations – flexibility as to whether this will be offered in Years 9, 10 or 11 or on occasions to provide ‘catch up’ work lower down the School when necessary.  Students could possibly choose up to three subjects for support for up to 3 hours a week.  School would be contacted in providing guidance as to the areas in which the young people would benefit from support.

3. Participation in extra curricular activities:

We fund participation in extended educational visits and extra curricular lessons which support their respective studies. These activities tend to relate to each School’s extra curricular programme which varies year on year. Also, some young people make their own arrangements (with support from Carers/Social Services) to participate in extra curricular activities arranged by various organisations within the community dependent on their individual interests.

4. Provision of GCSE booklets and other resources:

Provision of GCSE revision booklets and other text books and resources required as part of the course. These would vary in each individual pupil’s case dependent on the courses they are studying and also the access to resources that they already have.

5.1:1 support provided by Educational Psychology Service:

We provide specialist support from an Educational Psychologist for individual pupils. The Educational Psychologist, dependent on the young persons needs, will be able to offer1:1 work with pupils on bereavement/loss, Anger Management, consequential thinking, primary/secondary transition, organisational skills, emotional literacy programmes and also work in conjunction with Parents/Carers. Although the main focus of support is on Secondary pupils, The Educational Psychologist would also be able to work with some of our younger pupils whom are in need of support as requested by Social Services via the Education Liaison Officer – a referral form has been designed for this purpose.

6. Provision of Teaching Assistant support for individual pupils:

Teaching assistant support for individual pupils, mainly in KS3 & KS4, at risk of exclusion or going through a difficult time at their respective mainstream schools or alternative education provisions.  The focus will be to provide pastoral support to pupils, attend to their personal needs, develop 1:1 mentoring arrangements with pupils and provide support for distressed pupils. This provision would be used when a pupil becomes at risk of exclusion and would be provided on a supply basis as and when required.

7. Set up LAC Coordinators liaison meetings:

Provide supply cover to enable Designated Teachers in Secondary schools to be released from their teaching duties and allow them time to attend LAC Coordinators liaison meetings on a termly basis. These meetings would be facilitated by the Education Liaison Officer and other Education practitioners and would provide a valuable opportunity for networking, reflecting on current practice and sharing information with regards to good practice and initiatives in School relating to Looked After Children. This would be an opportunity for joint planning and information sharing with regards to new legislation and projects relating to LAC. In addition to this, within the meetings, a training programme would be developed – the training would be delivered by in-house staff and would cover topics such as creating effective PEP’s, attachment, record keeping, preparing reports for Reviews etc

8. Foster Carers Support event:

A drop in event to be held in the Autumn term which would provide an opportunity for Foster Carers and residential staff to network with all agencies that support pre school and school aged children and pick up some advice and tips. It would be an informal opportunity for Foster Carers to talk to one another about Educational issues as well as become aware of the various agencies that can offer support with various issues that in turn have an impact on the child/young person’s success in education.  Agencies linked to providing support for children and young peoples would be invited to be part of the event including Language and Play, Substance Misuse, YJS, YIP, NCH, Ed. Psych Service, Behaviour Support, Foundation Phase, Youth Service, Careers Service, YPHA’s, Drug and Alcohol Team, etc Advice would also be available on topics such as Primary/Secondary transition, Study Skills, IT facilities, revision techniques etc.

Summary of activities to July 2008

• 7 pupils received long term 1:1 weekly sessions with the Educational Psychologist.
• 10 pupils from Years 9, 10 & 11 received additional tuition both in School and in the home environment.
• 4 pupils received additional LSA Support to help maintain their School placements.
• 12 pupils participated on the Phoenix Project.
• Participation in a number of extra curricular activities including outdoor pursuits, Welsh & Music lessons.
• Specialist Photography equipment & GCSE resources

Impact

• Reduction in % NEETS – 80% of Denbighshire’s Year 11 LAC pupils went on to FE at the end of the last academic year.
• Pupils, Carers and Schools gave positive feedback in relation to the work done by tutors with preparation for examinations
• Improved communication between Schools and Carers ensured activities were relevant to the preparation for exams.
• Better awareness / raised profile of LAC within Schools.
• Designated Teachers playing active role in monitoring pupil progress.
• Improved attendance rates for individual LAC in Secondary.
• Positive feedback via LAC Reviews.