LACES Links
Referrals
Introduction to Service/Eligibility Criteria
The Looked After Children Education Service (LACES) is a team made up of Teachers, Education Welfare Officers and administrative support. The aim of the service is to improve educational outcomes for children and young people who are looked after by the local authority so improving their life chances. The service supports children and young people from the early years to higher education.
We do this by:
- Being proactive in monitoring children and young people's school placements, particularly at times of transition
- Short-term task centred interventions with children and young people
- Advising and supporting on access to relevant services to all professionals, carers, schools, children and young people
- Education related training and support across Children's Services, including schools, health, residential staff and carers
- Liaison across Children's Services, including schools, health, residential staff, carers, and young people on education related issues
- Research and training on the education of children and young people in care particularly in the completion of 'Personal Education Plans'
Our present emphasis is:
- Improving the effectiveness of Personal Education Plans
- Improving attendance for Children Looked After (CLA) at school
- Ensuring access to education for all CLA especially at times of transition or placement move
- Termly visits to all schools, where there are CLA on the role, to monitor progress and ensure that their learning needs are being met
- Quality training for all services and schools on the issues that can prevent CLA reaching their educational potential
The team will take enquiries and referrals from foster carers, schools, voluntary agencies and young people. They may agree short term, direct intervention with agreed aims, or may direct the referrer to more appropriate baseline services.
When is a Child Looked After?
LACES provide a service for children who are 'looked after' by Cumbria County Council. A child or young person is 'looked after' when either:
- They are accommodated by the local authority at the request of a person with parental responsibility, or because they are lost or abandoned, or because there is no person with parental responsibility for them, (S.20 Children Act 1989)
- They are placed in the care of the local authority by a Court, (Part IV Children Act 1989) Interim Care Orders or Full Care Order
- They are subject to emergency orders to secure their immediate protection, (Part V Children Act 1989) - Emergency protection Orders or Police Protection Orders
- They are remanded by a Court to the care of the local authority, (S. 23 Children & Young Persons Act 1969)
- In very rare cases children and young people may also become looked after via Wardship proceedings (the High Court's exercise of its inherent jurisdiction independent of statute)
Supporting Information Required
What supporting information is required beyond the CAF Pre-assessment Checklist and the standard Children's Services Single Referral Form?
A brief outline of what the problem is and what the referrer would like as an outcome, on the Children's Services Referral Form for Assessment.
Contact Details
Where should referral forms and any additional information be sent?
Please send all referral forms to:
FAO: LACES - Administrative Assistant
Austin Hall Block
Busher Walk
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 4RQ
Tel: 01539 773117
Fax: 01539 773492