Bryan Slater Director of Education	Distribution
	All Schools

The attached document is provided for your information:

INFORMATION	Title	Education of Children Looked After by the Local Authority
	Summary of contents	Letter and summary report
	Associated documents
	Date	14/01/04
	Effective from
	LEA Contact	Geoff Gildersleeve	(	01603 224211
	E-mail address	Geoff.gildersleeve@norfolk.gov.uk
	Norfolk Self Review reference	3. How well are pupils taught? 7. How well is the school led and managed?
	Document reference	MI 15/04

Dear Colleague

Re: Education of Children Looked After by the Local Authority

I am writing to seek your support in a key priority for the County Council - enhancing the educational attainment of children in our care.

Children who are taken into care have often had disturbing experiences and discontinuity in their education and this can result in their educational performance being depressed. This adds a further layer of difficulty for them.

We are all agreed that education is a important part of children’s lives. This is particularly true for children who are disadvantaged. Bringing about improvement in educational performance is often a key part of addressing their disadvantage and brings stability into their lives.

I am writing, therefore, to ask that you give particular attention to educational provision for our children in care. Schools have a vital role in this by adopting a sensitive, sympathetic approach to admissions and ensuring that every looked after child has a Personal Education Plan (PEP). Strategies for each child should be embodied in this Plan, which also allows us to monitor their progress.

A surprising number of children in care fail to sit examinations. This may be because they have just joined a school. They may still be recovering from a traumatic incident in their lives and are being protected from further pressure. They may simply be very resistant to being entered for or sitting examinations. Many children in care have poor attendance records too. Taking all these issues into account it is still vital that, whenever possible, children can enter for and take part in SATs and GCSE examinations and that we have high expectations for their achievement.

To support you, we have a number of professionals who can work with your Designated Teacher to help address the particular needs of children who are looked after. Schools can contact the Education Co-ordinator for their area (see Appendix for contact information) or the Social Worker for an individual child.

We also provide information and training for Education and Social Services Staff, including an annual conference. This year’s conference, “Raising the Achievement of Children Looked After”, takes place on 9^th March 2004 at the John Innes Centre, Norwich.

Attached with this letter is a summary of the most recent educational outcomes report for children looked after. Where applicable, you should have received a list of children currently looked after and attending your school as part of your 2004 PLASC papers.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Yours sincerely

Lisa Christensen Director of Social Services

Dr Bryan Slater Director of Education