Cymraeg

LAC - Carmarthenshire County Council

Carmarthenshire is utilising the Raise Grant to provide mentors for looked after children. They will

Help students plan and complete their homework and course work.
Offer students practical support and encouragement in learning and planning for their future.
Promote self esteem and strategies for emotional well being.
Encourage participation in wider Youth Service activities
Offer reasonable rewards as well as praise and encouragement
Work towards goals set in the PEP
Help with home work and study skills
Build evidence for Key Skills accreditation
Develop revision skills
Coach stress management techniques
Provide study resources
Help with the general planning of work
Be flexible and responsive to the child’s needs
Provide lap tops and revision materials when necessary
Link with tutors if necessary

How Raise fits in with the wider LAC agenda in Carmarthenshire Within Carmarthenshire the LAC participation group are developing a charter for looked after children called ‘KICC IT! Kids in Care Count!’; looked after children are valued members of the interview and recruitment process for Children’s Services; young people and care leavers are developing training materials for Foster Carers and Designated Teachers. There is a Corporate Parenting Strategy being driven by the Corporate Parenting Manager who leads a Multi-agency Corporate Parenting Team. A Corporate Parenting Panel of Elected Members and selected Officials ensures that issues facing looked after children are addressed across the authority. Summary of Raise Activity to date

A Raise Tutor was in post providing support for looked after children, schools, social workers, foster carers, designated teachers and related professionals.
Provision of Designated Teacher Training for LAC.
Provision of training for foster carers.
Provision of training for multi-agency professionals.
The facilitation of older and younger participation groups.
Training for looked after children in interview and recruitment skills.
Provision of computers for looked after children if necessary.
Provision of additional tuition for looked after children if necessary.

Proposed Activity for 2009/2010

To build on existing success and ensure access to a range of extra curricular activities providing emotional support and boosting self-esteem.
Promoting wider participation and consultation with looked after children through fun activities across the authority.
Providing training and support for schools, foster carers, governors, youth service and voluntary sector services
Support the LAC participation group to develop a charter for looked after children called ‘KICC IT! Kids in Care Count!
Providing a team of learning mentors to provide weekly support for all looked after children in key stage 4.

Impact of Raise activity to date