A new learning resource – developed by the Council and Bath Spa University to help schools nationwide better understand the needs of children and young people in care – is in line for a national award.
‘In Care, In School’ has been shortlisted for a prestigious National Children and Young People Now Award, on 29th November, in the Children in Care category.
The Council and the University worked with young people in care and care leavers from across Bath and North East Somerset on the initiative which includes 10 films based on the real life experiences of the district’s In Care Council members.
The films show a range of different interactions between pupils and teachers, and other staff, in and outside the classroom. It is accompanied by a resource pack for use in Personal Heath & Social Education (PSHE) lessons to encourage class discussion and learning as well as a training guide for school staff. For older students and staff training purposes there are also three four-minute films of young people talking about their experiences of school, leaving care, and subsequent careers.
Young people who helped inspire the films will be celebrated with a special event in Bath’s Guildhall on 28th November, hosted by Councillor Rob Appleyard, Chairman of Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Councillor Dine Romero (Lib- Dem, Southdown), Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is committed to supporting activities and opportunities which help young people make a positive difference to their lives and communities. We’re tremendously proud of the children and young people from the In Care Council whose inspiration will help to improve the lives of others.”
The project was jointly funded by Bath & North East Somerset Council and Bath Spa University with support from a number of local and national voluntary organisations. A local film company and professional and child actors were commissioned to make the videos. A two minute trailer of the films can be seen on YouTube here.
Naina Thomas of the Bath and North East Somerset In Care Council said: “When I was in school I found it very difficult to make new friends, and to fit in due to being in foster care and moving schools a lot. This pack is to help teachers and pupils to understand, from a young person’s point of view, what it is like being in foster care and having an education. I would like my experiences to make a change within schools, and make people more aware about the needs and feelings of people in foster care.”
The ‘In Care, In School’ materials are already being used by youth workers in Bath and North East Somerset, and with young adults with learning disabilities. The project team are also working with a number of fostering agencies to explore how the resources can be used in training foster carers and other professionals, and developing a project on attachment awareness for schools.
The pack has also attracted ministerial attention and received a national launch in the House of Lords. Edward Timpson MP, Minister for Children and Families, said: “I want children in care to have the best possible start in life. These films can play a meaningful part in improving their chances by showing their experiences in a vivid way, as well as make teachers and pupils more aware of the challenges they face.”
