LAC - Swansea County Council

Swansea has over 500 Looked after Children as at December 2009.  The numbers have increased significantly over the last year.  RAISE funding has significantly improved support and resources available for LAC by providing the means of employing 2 additional project workers.  (The LA already employed one project officer plus a part-time EWO).  The RAISE project officers support pupils in KS3 to post 16.  The post 16 support is being developed to prevent students falling out of their FE courses.

The use of predictive data enables performance to be monitored against potential and the support has resulted in improved education outcomes for LAC.  The LA actively monitors performances, attendance and exclusions through its Education/Social services Education LAC Group and reports are made to the Council’s Scrutiny Committee.

Priority is given to LAC cases at the county’s SEN panel and EOTAS (education Otherwise than at school) panel for in and out of county LAC children placed in Swansea.

Swansea has hosted a very successful conference (which was funded by WAG), “Meeting LAC’s Educational Needs” Summer 2008, Multi agency participation and significant contributions were made by LAC.

Swansea LAC took part in a presentation on the RAISE project and its benefits to international visitors hosted by WAG.

Swansea LAC successfully piloted the BT Work Experience Scheme which was then extended to other LAs.  One of the RAISE Project Officers was instrumental in supporting this project.

Summary of the Project

• Appointment of Project Workers who provide individual support according to individual need, mainly academic support but also counselling and behaviour support including mentoring and support for students to complete coursework;
• Project Workers provide:
  • Catch up sessions
  • A link between home and school
  • A link with residential homes
  • Assistance with the reintegration of excluded pupils and pupils experiencing school change
  • A link with other partners, including FE Colleges, Social Workers and Carers.
• Home tuition is provided (building on provision made under the Social Services Education Support Fund) for Year 9, 10 and 11 pupils in respect of support for external examination specialist tutors are provided as requested;
• Provision of educational resources to all LAC in Year 9, 10 and 11 cohorts in and out of county:
  • Educational equipment, revision guides, laptops and associated programmes (following careful assessment)
  • Equipment for students following FE courses
  • Educational resources have been provided for all children’s homes (with the help of LAC) and are updated
  • Funding of educational visits and holiday activities as well as other resources which non LAC are able to access.