Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Looked after children in education (LACE) service

The Looked After Children in Education (LACE) team work closely with the head teacher of the Virtual School for Children and Young People in Care and other agencies in aiming to ensure that looked-after children (LAC) receive the best possible provision, to minimise any disruption to their learning, improve school stability and to promote the importance of education.

The outreach support team for the Virtual School provide time-limited and focused educational support and mentoring for looked-after children and young people.

In Stockton-on-Tees all agencies have a responsibility towards our young people in care. There is partnership working to ensure that the many needs of LAC are addressed and to safeguard and promote their education. This involves a multi-agency approach and close liaison with the Virtual School head teacher, social workers, primary carers and schools via the LAC designated teachers.

What does the LACE service offer?

• Additional in-school teaching support and mentoring for identified LAC in mainstream schools from reception to year 11.
• Outreach teaching and direct tuition for pupils at times of crisis or disruption. This may take place in school, foster home or alternative venues.
• Interim teaching and support for LAC pending identified school placement.
• Individualised training to support schools and other agencies in building their capacity to understand and meet the needs of individual looked-after children. This includes information about the impact of developmental trauma and stress, main issues, classroom behaviours, supportive strategies and effective intervention.
• Diagnostic literacy assessments and reviews where there are concerns regarding progress or underachievement.
• Advice, guidance and specific recommendations regarding appropriate intervention and to inform planning and provision.
• Advice and guidance at LAC reviews, Personal Education Plan (PEP) reviews and planning meetings.
• Support with transition at Key Stages in education.
• Liaison with key agencies.
• Pre-OFSTED advice to schools.
• Multi-agency governor training on all issues relating to LAC.
• Individual training, advice and support to foster carers and residential care staff in supporting the educational attainment of LAC as part of the preparation for foster parent training programme.
• A telephone helpline for advice, support and rapid response to requests from designated teachers, social workers, foster carers, young people and any other agencies working with LAC.

Who are the LACE team?

The LACE team consists of a co-ordinator/specialist teacher, specialist teacher, a teaching assistant, and an office administrator who collectively work with schools to help children and young people who are in the care of the local authority to get the very best out of their educational experience.

Accessing the LACE team

The young people we work with are prioritised directly through the Virtual School Pupil Tracking System for early intervention where there is underachievement and at Key Stages / year groups.

Children and young people are also referred via schools, social workers, foster carers or parents and pupils can request support themselves. Young people are also referred and prioritised at times of crisis or disruption.