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8th August 2023
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Boarding school placements for children in care
See notes
The statutory guidance for local authorities "Promoting the education of looked after children and previously looked after children" states:
"The child’s wishes and feelings should be taken into account, and the suitability of the education setting tested by arranging an informal visit with the child. Where a looked after child would benefit from attending a boarding school, either in the state or independent sector, VSHs and social workers should be proactive in considering this option."
https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F683556%2FPromoting_the_education_of_looked-after_children_and_previously_looked-after_children.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cinformationrequests%40wokingham.gov.uk%7Cc023c1ab62b04c6cbccf08dca3237a2b%7C996ee15c0b3e4a6f8e65120a9a51821a%7C0%7C0%7C638564619984699572%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ClfVIfRyjhK358w4wGzPfeMIywCtN4xyDvlDrBMMFbY%3D&reserved=0
Further to this guidance please advise:
1. How many of your children in care 'Looked After Children', in both number and percentage, are currently in mainstream boarding school placements?
One, 0.73 % of cohort ( cohort size 137)
2. How many of your children in care 'Looked After Children', in both number and percentage, are currently in Special Educational Needs boarding school placements?
22 16%
3. What procedure (if any) do you have to consult children in care 'Looked After Children' about the option of a boarding school placement? What record (if any) do you have of the number of children in care 'Looked After Children' - in both number and percentage - who were asked about such an option, in the financial year 2023/24? How many of them expressed a wish to proceed with it?
The Virtual School works with the charity Springboard, two children (1.5%) were consulted (in connection with their schools and carers about a boarding school place in an independent school setting. One child moved area and the other declined the opportunity. Child’s voce captured in personal education plan meetings and in subsequent individual conversations.
4. How many informal visits that you arranged, to mainstream boarding schools, for children in care 'Looked After Children' took place in the financial year 2023/24?
We always endeavour to support our children to visit any educational setting in advance to help them prepare and progress. From a data perspective this is difficult to quantify as will need to go through the records as the social workers will capture this as part of a statutory visit, the data will not differentiate the context of the visit. Children can also be supported by foster carers or other professionals who may be deemed as more appropriate to support.
5. How many informal visits that you arranged, to SEN boarding schools, for children in care 'Looked After Children' took place in the financial year 2023/24?
Please see answer to question4.
