Looked After Children
The TEC Partnership recognises that it has statutory and moral duty towards safeguarding the welfare of its learners - they should feel safe and will be supported if any concerns are raised.
There is a Safeguarding Team, who are available to talk to if learners have any concerns, are unhappy, or even if they are worried about the welfare of a friend or fellow student.
Learners can talk to one of the team about such things as bullying, accommodation problems, abuse (in any of its forms), self harm, or whatever may be a concern. They are there to help and can be approached easily.
Looked after child and care leaver information
Information sharing protocol with NELC. This protocol is established to set out the arrangements for monitoring and supporting the progress of looked after children and care leavers in line with their age and development as they progress through further and higher education.
The purpose of the protocol is to:
- Assist and support young people apply to the appropriate course at college.
- To help young people maximise their potential.
- Facilitate staff in the colleges and social care settings to work effectively with care leavers in line with the Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers 2010
- Provide the basis for the organisations to work together to promote problem solving and further understanding of roles and responsibilities of each agency.
The protocol deals with:
- Applications to colleges
- Information sharing
- Practical and financial support to care leavers
- Specific support to care leavers to maintain college places
- Moving on from college
- How to resolve issue
The protocol enables early identification through pathway planning and peps. Prior to enrollment the designated person for LAC and CL meets with the social workers to identify any specific support needs and any potential barriers to learning. Information is the appropriately shared with the members of the curriculum area directly involved with supporting that learner. We regularly facilitate PEPS and E-Peps and our ultimate aim is to be a single point of access to promote continuity and a consistent support network.
Financial Support to Care Leavers
Young people leaving care are entitled to the equivalent of Income Support Benefit (paid by the Local Authority). He/she will also receive a weekly enhancement. Costs of accommodation until the age of 18 is also paid by Through Care where after housing benefit can be accessed.
For young people who are part way through their course when they reach 18 and where this is part of their Pathway Plan, an application can be made for them to continue to live with their carer/host. In some cases, where young people reach the age of 20 they may not be eligible for certain state benefits, but are still actively engaged in education – in such cases, further financial assistance can be offered to meet accommodation and living costs.
Once it is known that the young person has a place on a course then there must be a discussion between the carer or worker and the college as to what exactly is required and how this can be appropriately sourced. Young people who are leaving care face additional challenges when they start a course at a further educational college and they must not have the additional worry or start the course without the proper equipment.
The NCA's CEOP Command
We are here to help if you are a young person and you or your friend (up to age 18) has been forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity with anyone online, or in the real world.
We also have advice and links to support for other online problems young people might face, such as cyberbullying and hacking.
