Agenda item

Dr Emma Gore Langton, Head of Education Service , will present on PAC-UKs work supporting permanently placed children in education. A report is attached.

9.1  Dr Emma Gore Langton, Head of Education Service, presented on PAC-UKs work supporting permanently placed children in education. The chair then invited questions.

9.2  A member suggested their was a distinction between the secondary and primary schools, and the later were more able to provide the relationships and support that permanently placed children often need. The member added that in her experience schools do understand the issues.  The Head of Education agreed that secondary is more difficult for children and it could be that primary schools are more intimate, or more skilful, at meeting the needs of permanently placed children. She advised that all schools are reached through their programme and she recommended a blanket approach, and added that often the parents will flag up the additional support available, while schools are not aware.

9.3  A member asked what worked best in schools and she said that an awareness of how neglect, abuse, and loss impacts children’s learning, alongside good structures within school to provide support, rather than excessive changes, and high quality relationships.

9.4  The chair thanked the Head of Education for her time and promiced to send the draft report for comment.