The following information details what steps you can take in each country of the UK to get access to equipment to support learning for children and care leavers.
England
The Department for Education will provide digital devices and Internet access for some disadvantaged children and young people who cannot attend school do not currently have access to them from other sources, such as their school.
Read the guidance: Get help with technology during coronavirus
Northern Ireland
The Fostering Attainment and Achievement (FAA) programme, funded by the Health and Social Care Board and run by The Fostering Network in Northern Ireland, is a unique programme that works to improve educational outcomes for looked after children in foster care.
What is this programme providing during the pandemic?
Since March 2020, we have provided emergency IT provision (mainly devices) to children who are looked after. During the pandemic, a relaxation of the application process for social workers to apply for devices has been relaxed with the aim of supporting more foster families with devices.
How do I get a device?
Emergency IT provision can be requested with a supporting email from the child’s social worker or supervising social worker. Emails need to be sent to the project’s administrator, Kellie Long.
Who can access this service?
To access this service you must foster a young person in Northern Ireland. Support can begin six months prior to starting primary school and can continue until age 18.
Scotland
In Scotland, there is no national scheme to provide devices to support education to vulnerable children and children with a social worker but, if children are in need of a device (i.e. if there is no device available within the fostering home that they can use), they should be encouraged to speak with their fostering service and child’s social worker in the first instance. Foster carers and social workers of children in need of equipment would also be encouraged to have a conversation with head teachers to explore what/if available funding or equipment is there to support attainment and lessen gaps in learning.
If you are still struggling to get access please call our helpline.
Wales
In Wales, there is no national scheme to provide devices to support education to vulnerable children and children with a social worker. If you require additional resources of any kind to assist in the promotion of foster children’s education during lockdown, firstly contact the children’s social worker and school. If you cannot get the equipment you require from these conversations, request a children’s advocate to assist in resourcing what is needed.
If you are still struggling to get access please call our helpline.
