Education services
All of our looked after children and young people should have the required support needed to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence necessary to become confident individuals, successful learners, effective contributors and responsible citizens.
'I have learning difficulties and the communication between my foster parents, school and social worker, helped me to stay on at mainstream school and leave school with seven standard grades. I am now at college doing computing. I have always had encouragement and extra support when I needed it. That makes the biggest difference: I know I am cared for.'
Guy
Education is fundamental to all other life outcomes. A positive experience of education and the development of relevant skills, directly influence future employability, earning power, engagement in society, even health outcomes and the life of future generations. Education services include residential special schools and other educational provision as well as mainstream schooling.
All staff in education have an important role as corporate parents and unique opportunities to support and guide looked after children and young people and care leavers through their everyday interactions. Teachers are cited by young people as the most influential or constant person in their lives.
To carry out this important role successfully education staff must work effectively in partnership with other agencies, involving children and their families, to provide appropriate, timely responses. Information-sharing and communication are central to achieving better outcomes for all children and young people.
All schools, including residential schools, and nurseries should appoint a designated senior manager with specific responsibility for looked after children and young people. The designated senior manager has a key role in guiding and supporting school staff and linking with the wider multi-agency network.
You will want to:
- make sure that looked after children and young people and care leavers have the same opportunities as their peers who are not looked after to benefit from high quality education through Curriculum for Excellence, including progression to further and higher education.
- make sure that each child or young person’s particular needs are met, in a way which does not single them out from other children but promotes aspiration and engagement.
Downloadable resources
Read the full version of this section of the Corporate Parenting Guidance on the Scottish Government website.
Personal stories
Beverly Paterson
A principal teacher explains how her school provides specialised support for looked after young people