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Looked After Children Education Service (LACE)

Introduction

The Looked After Children Education Service (LACE) is a multi-disciplinary support service for Calderdale Looked After Children, schools and carers.

Our service consists of:

• co-ordinator
• teachers
• education welfare officer
• inclusion assistants
• senior practitioner social worker
• key stage 4 project officer
• leisure development officer
• administrator
• management support officer
• education casework officers.

We are a jointly-funded partnership between the Care Services and Family Support Services within Children and Young People's Services Directorate.

In Calderdale, we have approximately 253 children who are looked after by the Authority, of whom 158 are of school age.

Most children enter care because of abuse or neglect, or for family reasons. Less than 10 per cent enter care because of their own behaviour.

Many Looked After Children enjoy school, but have poor experiences of education and very low attainment. The Social Exclusion Report 'A better education for children in care (2003)' identified the five key reasons for underachievement as:

1. instability
2. time out of school
3. insufficient help with their education
4. lack of support and encouragement by carers
5. emotional and mental health issues.

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