Agenda item

The virtual headteacher presented the annual report to the committee and actions taken following lockdown, with regard to the practical support and health and wellbeing including the following measures to provide support and bridge the gaps:

·  Early release of funding and opportunity for all to request funding in respect of immediate need

·  Provision of home tuition to supplement teaching provided by their school (feedback received that most have engaged with this provision)

·  Laptops bought and delivered in two days

·  Children transition at primary / secondary level support

·  Every looked after child has allocated personal adviser (and support to be individual to that child)

·  Strong focus to keep children motivated and engaged.

The following queries were raised:

·  Access of children not attending schools to the internet / laptops

·  Issue of children returning to school in September and concern by foster parents and social distancing measures in place: challenge for schools to plan accordingly. Some may chose not to return to school in September and the difficulties in policing. Strong advice is needed to ensure children go back to school

·  Concerns raised by young people on funding. Some in a catch 22 situation; if at university unable to claim support because of student grants and getting jobs difficult in the COVID-19 climate, with ensuing financial pressures which puts these young people at a disadvantage

·  Young people asked about the support available for care leavers to stay in education (officers responded that dependent on income and funding available dependent on financial need/circumstances)

·  Query on why local authorities have not extended care leaving age to 25 (some may withdraw/drop out and return to education hence need for extended age range)

·  Data and achievement levels at different ages (why some of the younger children do not to achieve as well as the older children). Explained probably as part of their care experience (also not in care long) and as their care progresses the correct support package is put in place

·  Explore how many apprenticeships/traineeships provided to care leavers in Southwark

·  Request for a short pre-meeting to be set up with including the chair, Alasdair Smith, Tracey Harrison, Mark Kerr, Danny Edwards, Councillor Stephanie Cryan in respect of education, employment  and training. Young people to also be involved in this pre-meeting, with a view also have a workshop by the end of August. 

Officers explained the low level of funding provided by government in this area and the further difficulties ahead in the COVID-19 pandemic. Explained issue of apprenticeships a key target in the council plan.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Virtual Head teacher’s report for Southwark Looked After Children be noted.

2.  That the comments provided at the committee and summarised above be noted.

3.  Request for a short pre-meeting to be set up with including the chair, Alasdair, Tracey Harrison, Mark Kerr, Danny Edwards, Councillor Stephanie Cryan in respect of education, employment  and training. Young people to also be involved in this pre-meeting with a view also have a workshop by the end of August.