In my years working within the care system and sharing life stories, I’ve seen how pivotal one person can be in changing a child's trajectory. When a child has additional needs, that person is often the Special Educational Needs Coordinator, or SENCO. Understanding this role is vital whether you...
Educational Support
Strategies, resources, and roles dedicated to enhancing learning outcomes for children in academic settings.
What is a Personal Advisor (PA) in Social Care?
A Personal Advisor (PA) is a dedicated professional who provides practical and emotional support to young people as they transition from being "looked after" to living independently. Acting as a bridge between the care system and adulthood, a PA helps care leavers navigate everything from finding...
Personal Education Plans – PEP: A Guide for Families & Professionals
If you are caring for a looked-after child, or you are a professional new to the sector, the acronyms can feel endless. But the Personal Education Plan (PEP) is one of the most vital tools we have. In my years of experience, both living through the care system and working within it, I’ve seen PEP...
How to Nurture Your Child’s Natural Curiosity at Home: a Guide for UK Parents
Parents in the UK are in a powerful position to shape how their children feel about learning for the rest of their lives. Long before GCSEs, SATs or Ofsted reports, curiosity starts (and can be quietly snuffed out) at home. This guide is about how you can protect that spark and help your child...
Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Being a Looked After Child
Introduction: Being a looked after child can have a profound and lasting impact on a young person's life. While every experience is unique, there are common challenges and long-term effects that care leavers often face. This article aims to shed light on these effects, emphasizing the importance...
Pupil Premium: Your Questions Answered
What is Pupil Premium? Pupil Premium is a government funding initiative designed to assist schools in supporting looked after children and those who have left care. This funding is allocated to schools based on the number of students they have who are eligible for the program. How Does Pupil...
Working with Your Social Worker Effectively: A Guide for Children in Care
Working With Your Social Worker Header Being in care can be a confusing time. You might have a lot of questions and worries about what's happening. One of the most important people in your life right now is your social worker. They're there to help you, but sometimes it's hard to know how to work...
SEND – Special educational needs and disability
SEND stands for Special Educational Needs And disabilities and can affect a child’s or young person’s ability to learn. this can affect their: Social Skills, Abilities to make friends, Reading and writing Issues, Ability to understand things, Concentration Issues or Physical Abilities.
Local Authority
If your unsure who your local authority is you can use your postcode and visit the NHS Local Authority Adult Social Care services database or ask your care giver or social worker / personal advisor. Normally your local authority is set in your place of birth. if you was born in Kent but got moved to a london borough. in most cases you will remain a looked after child or adult with Kent County Council







