Ruth Sinclair – författare

The increasing numbers of children and young people excluded from school have been seen largely as an education issue; often the focus has been on the decision to exclude children or reintegrate them back into school. An alternative perspective is to consider how children can be maintained in school through early intervention and how other agencies can support such an approach.Drawing on a national survey of social services departments, this publication examines what elected members and officers in the departments and local education authorities, school personnel, children and parents found of value in a social work approach

Despite developments in policy and practice, the academic outcomes for children and young people who are looked after by local authorities continues to be poorer than for their peers who are not in care.This book details the evaluation of the Taking Care of Education development project, developing an understanding of the relationship between specific interventions and outcomes for young people. It also identifies ways of developing a culture within local authorities that can effectively promote the educational welfare of looked after children and young people, and concludes by considering the implications of the key findings for policy, practice and research.

Written specifically for young people, and with colour illustrations throughout, this guide offers practical tips for children on how they can have a say in how they are cared for, including their review meetings. The guide was written following extensive consultation with children and young people in care.The guide includes a description of the care planning process, advice on how children and young people can have more say in decisions about all aspects of their care, what to do if they are unhappy, and where to go for extra help. Practitioners who will find this resource useful include care workers, social workers, LAC team managers, care homes, Independent Review Officers and carers/parents.