Educational Support for Foster Carers through the National Teaching & Advisory Service

The National Teaching & Advisory Service (NT&AS) for Looked After Children and Children in Need is a national education organisation committed to the inclusion of Looked After Children within mainstream education. NT&AS has established a flexible, high quality education casework service designed to support those children/young people who may be referred to them.

NT&AS works in partnership with Safehouses North to ensure that the education needs of children are identified and met. Young people are supported by qualified teachers who have significant experience in mainstream education, special educational needs and working alongside colleagues from social services departments and other childcare organisations. NT&AS also employ education support workers who come from a background of work with children and young people in a range of education and care settings.

HOW IT WORKS

NT&AS undertake a comprehensive assessment of educational needs. This includes research into a young person's educational and social history. Baseline tests are administered and children are assessed across a range of curriculum areas through a variety of educational activities. The resulting findings form the basis of an education report and inform strategies to support education inclusion.

This education assessment informs the development of a coherent education plan for the young person. This process, facilitated by NT&AS, will involve the young person themselves and is the first phase in identifying the most appropriate educational provision.

The nature of support required by each child is determined and agreed prior to admission to school, reviewed at regular intervals and amended as appropriate. The commitment of NT&AS and Safehouses North is to establish successful and apprpriate education placements for ALL children.

Following inclusion, young people can continue to receive an NT&AS casework service, which may include the maintenance of effective home/school links, the monitoring of progress and study support and direct support in school. NT&AS teachers work alongside mainstream colleagues in schools to ensure that each child realises his/her academic potential and benefits fully from inclusion in the range of personal, social and educational opportunities afforded by a successful school placement.

In addition to the direct work with, and on behalf of, young people, NT&AS provide professional guidance and training for colleagues within Safehouses relating to all areas of education provision, including new developments.