Supporting Young People in Care/Care Leavers Conference

Tuesday 29th April 2014Michael GormanHead of Virtual School, Bath & North East SomersetSupporting Young People in Care/Care Leavers ConferenceOutlineHow well are we doing for our care leavers?Some explanationsWhat help is available for care leavers?What next?How well are we doing for our care leavers?EnglandSouth West% 19 year old care leavers in Higher Education March 20136%3%% 19 year old care leavers in Employment, Education or Training Education March 2013

58%53%% Year 11s LAC who achieved five or more GCSEs at A*-C including English & Maths 201315.3%12.4%Poor school outcomesGaps in learningLow aspirationsFrequent changes of schools and carersPoor professional communication/consistencyProfound effects of early neglect and abuse on capacity to form relationships and learn in school settings

The YIPPEE ProjectModest expectations and aspirationsHistory of extreme disruptionsUnderperformance masks genuine abilityProfessionals tend to reinforce class and gender assumptions

Young People from a public care background pathways to education in Europe 2008-2010

Care Leavers in Further Education report The Lost CohortReinforced YIPPEE findingsLack of good data and communicationLack of awareness in FE Colleges of needs of care leavers universal provision is enough

Care Leavers in Further Education report The Lost CohortChris Leonard 2011The view of care leaversCare leavers spoke of the loneliness and emotional stress of living on your own after the support of being in care. Just under a third of the care leavers thought that coming into care had led to them doing better in education than they would have done otherwise.Just under a quarter of those asked thought they had been well or very well prepared for independent life after care. Almost half thought they had been badly or very badly prepared.The childrens views digestDr Roger Morgan OBE, Childrens Rights Director for England[based on views from 308 care leavers in 2012]What help is available for care leavers?The Who Cares? Trust

http://www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk/data/files/H.E.Handbook_2014_England.pdf

Money Saving Expert

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-tuition-fees-changes

BUTTLE UK QUALITY MARKInstitutions with the Quality Mark are required to offer a range of support, including:

help with year round accommodationbursaries a designated member of staff as the key contact for students from a care background.The costs of going into Higher EducationTuition feesUp to 9,000 pa

Maintenance loansc. 5,555 pa

Repay after earning 21,000pa

What help is available for care leavers going into Higher Education?Maintenance grantsLikely to be maximum amount (3,387pa)Institution support:Access to Learning FundNational Scholarship ProgrammeInstitution level supportLocal authority support:Personal adviser2000 one off grantIn B&NES:2000 bursary per academic yearMaintenance based on DWP JSA levelMaintenance and rent in the HE vacationsTravel to and from interviews and the beginning and end of term if neededWorkers advise young people to apply for the Institution SupportSupport 16 - 18Pathway Plans around 16th birthdayStaying put can stay with carers until 21Post 16 bursary:1200 pa if in full time educationApprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeships routes to qualifications from Level 2 to Level 7

Support pre 16Virtual School headteacher now statutoryPupil Premium Plus:1900paAllocation decided by Virtual School headMust meet educational needs of childOne to one tuition often most effectiveContinuing Higher Education visits from Year 5National Citizen Service Year 11More training and research around attachment and trauma

Where next?High aspirations from everyone especially foster carersOvercoming reticenceAll round resilience