Extra Support at School: The Rights of Looked After Children

Date: 7th December 2011
Category: Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities, Family Environment and Alternative Care
Author: Enquire

The law says that all looked after children should have the extra support they need to get the most out of their education and achieve their full potential. Enquire has published a new briefing paper that explains the rights of looked after children under the Additional Support for Learning Act.

The briefing identifies different reasons why looked after children may need extra support to get the most out of their learning, and gives examples of different ways that support can be provided. It looks at the responsibilities that education authorities have towards looked after children's education, including their legal duty to consider whether a looked after child requires a coordinated support plan to ensure that agencies work together to plan what help the child needs to learn effectively. It also considers issues around school attendance and school exclusion, and the processes by which disputes about support for learning can be resolved.

The briefing will help professionals in education, social work and health in relation to GIRFEC and the corporate parent role, and will be useful for parents and carers in knowing how to ensure their child is getting help when they need it most.

• Download a free copy of Enquire's briefing here.

For advice about additional support for learning, contact Enquire's helpline: 0845 123 2303; info@enquire.org.uk