Written question WQ90635
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 4 days
Question
What support is provided to schools to support the education and attainment outcomes of care-experienced children and young people, and how does the Minister ensure that this support goes to address the specific and individual needs of the care-experienced child rather than the general needs of a wider group?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
We remain committed to improving educational outcomes for looked after children. The Pupil Development Grant (PDG) includes £5.7m funding in 2023-24 to specifically support care experienced children (PDG LAC). We have also provided £1.2m to local authorities to implement a Virtual Schools Model (VSM) within their area, and gathered early insights into the different structures, implementation processes and perceived impacts.
The VSM pilot complements other provision in local authorities across Wales which support the education of care-experienced children. These include the Looked After Children Education Coordinator role; Personal Education Plans and the provision of trauma informed training for practitioners.