The review of children in need showed that at least 1.6 million children needed a social worker between 2012 and 2018 – equivalent to one in 10 of all children, or 3 children in every classroom. These children may face barriers to education due to experiences of adversity, most commonly because of domestic abuse, mental ill-health and substance misuse. They also do significantly worse than others at all stages of education, and that poor educational outcomes persist even after social work involvement ends.
The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill is currently in its final stages in the House of Lords; this bill is expected to strengthen the visibility of children known to social care and instruct key changes to provision across both children’s social care and education. While no specific date has yet been given for when it receives Royal Assent, this course will explore some of the potential implications for schools and education providers.
This course is an opportunity for professionals in schools and other education providers to explore and make visible the specific barriers and vulnerabilities of the group and champion their educational attendance, attainment and progress. This includes:
- Children Previously in Care (Including adoption, special guardianship, and child arrangement orders)
- Children who have been assessed as needing a Child in Need or Child Protection plan within the past 6 years due to safeguarding or welfare reasons
- Children living with kinship carers
