Children Looked After (CLA) Education Service
Overview
We support the educational journey of children and young people in care. We aim to ensure every learner can achieve their full potential.
Our work is guided by:
- The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014
- The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (Wales) Regulations 2015
- Statutory guidance on promoting the educational achievement of looked after children
- The Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales (2021) and associated Act (2018)
Who we are
Education Co-ordinator
The Education Co-ordinator is the lead advocate for the education of CLA. They support the local authority to fulfil corporate parenting responsibilities. You can find more information about the corporate parenting charter on GOV.WALES.
Key worker
Key workers provide direct support to:
- CLA
- schools
- carers
- social workers
Our purpose and vision
To meet the holistic needs of CLA we work in partnership with:
- children and young people
- families
- schools
- Children’s Services
Our goal is to ensure that every child in our care receives the support, stability, and opportunities they need to thrive.
What we do
Champion educational attainment
We strive for CLA to achieve outcomes comparable to their peers.
Check progress
To keep educational progress on track, we check:
- attendance
- attainment
- achievements
Provide information, advice, and guidance
We offer advice, guidance and support to:
- schools
- carers
- local council officers
- other professionals
This includes support for Additional Learning Needs (ALN).
Promote the voice of the young person
To create positive, personalised plans we work with:
- schools
- social care
- foster carers
- other professionals
Support the development and review of Personal Education Plans (PEP)
We ensure that:
- every CLA has a current, high-quality PEP that is integral to their care plan
- the PEP is reviewed regularly
- where relevant, the PEP aligns with the child's Individual Development Plan (IDP)
Support in-county and out-of-county placements
We work with local councils and educational settings to ensure continuity and consistency.
Identify and address barriers to learning
We work to recognise, reduce and remove anything that makes learning more difficult for CLA.
Advocate for stability
We promote educational stability and continuity, minimising school moves and disruptions wherever possible.
How to access us
We offer advice, guidance and support to:
- schools
- carers
- local council officers
- other professionals
We are committed to working collaboratively to ensure the best outcomes for every child.
Contact us
CLA Education Team: claed@npt.gov.uk
