What Works for Children’s Social Care are fully funding places for up to 1,200 children who have or have had a social worker in the last 6 years to participate in the Our Skills literacy programme, delivered by Learning Unlimited. Our Skills supports parents and carers of children in Reception or Year 1 to develop their skills, knowledge and confidence in supporting their child’s literacy. We will also be evaluating the programme to see how it benefits children with a social worker. Our Skills will start after February half-term, 2021 and  is being re-developed so all sessions can be delivered virtually through an innovative COVID-friendly online system. Watch the animation for more information.  

Next steps:

• Download and fill in the Memorandum of Understanding.
• Email it to Karen Dudley from Learning Unlimited   karen.dudley@learningunlimited.co by 20 November 2020.

This research project aims to increase the number of young people leaving care going onto higher and further education. The most recent data from the Department for Education (DfE) shows that just 13% of pupils who were looked after continuously for 12 months or more at 31st March 2015 progressed to higher education (HE) by age 19 by 2018/19 compared to 43% of all other pupils.

What Works for Children’s Social Care (WWCSC), the Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO), Become, the charity for children in care and young care leavers, and the National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSHs) are seeking to increase the number of young care leavers in HE and further education (FE), building on research carried out by the Behavioural Insights Team. This found that sending a personalised “nudge” letter to students from someone they could identify with, was effective at raising the number who apply to, and accept offers from, selective universities.

In this research, letters written by care experienced young people in HE and FE will be sent to young people in year 12 and 13 (or equivalent) who are currently in care. The letters will encourage young people to think about applying to HE/FE, setting out the support available (financial and other) to young care leavers and signposting to Become’s Propel website and free adviceline. We will then monitor whether young people who received the letters were more likely to apply to HE or FE.

Virtual School Heads (VSHs) have a key role to play in the success of this project. Previous research has shown the importance of students receiving a personalised letter. By working with you we will be able to identify students and ensure they receive a letter addressed to them individually. If you are interested in taking part in this project, please fill out the Expression of Interest form below.

• Information sheet for Virtual School Heads

Watch the information webinar below, or here.

If you have any questions about this project please get in touch with Eleanor Briggs, Director of Policy, WWCSC (Eleanor.briggs@whatworks-csc.org.uk).