Foster carers’ views sought regarding education strategy in Wales
The Fostering Network in Wales has been commissioned by the Welsh Government to hold a discussion group with foster carers to review the first year of its flagship Looked After Children’s Education Strategy.
The strategy, launched in January 2016, seeks to raise the educational attainment of children who are looked after in Wales. It sets out arrangements to further support the educational attainment of children who are looked after, primarily of compulsory school age, but it also includes arrangements to support transition to further and higher education and employment.
The aims of the strategy are:
- To raise the educational attainment of children who are looked after and the aspirations of those who care for them.
- To reinforce accountability and leadership across local authorities and the education system.
- To ensure that education remains a priority even during unsettling periods in a child’s life.
- To promote and share good practice.
A year on from the launch of the strategy, the Welsh Government is keen to explore the views of foster carers on how the implementation of the strategy is progressing, foster carers' awareness of the strategy, perceptions of any impact through work with practitioners, and the challenges foster carers face in improving educational experiences for looked after children. A full briefing of the strategy will be given at the event.
Emily Warren, Director of The Fostering Network in Wales, said: ‘Having worked so closely with the Welsh Government on the development of this strategy, we are eager to hear directly from foster carers as to how they think the strategy is impacting the children they are looking after.
‘We have high ambitions for the educational outcomes of looked after children. We want them to have the same opportunities and expectations as their peers and this strategy is a very important step in that direction.
‘The Fostering Network in Wales seeks to enable foster carers to have a voice, and these focus groups will give foster carers the chance to directly inform educational policy and practice in Wales.’
Information about the focus groups
Dates
Tuesday 29 November 2016, 9.45am – 1pm, YHA, East Tyndall Street, Cardiff, CF10 4BB
There is no cost for these events. Lunch will be provided.
Booking your place
Please email Charlotte Wooders on Charlotte.Wooders@fostering.net or call 029 2044 0940 to book your place. The closing date to book a place will be 5pm on Tuesday 15 November.
We expect these events to be busy, please book as soon as possible to guarantee your place. Due to the event having a maximum capacity, spaces will be given on a first come first served basis. We will email you confirmation of your place.
