What support should I get?

 

 

What you achieve at school will affect what you can do later in life, so to make sure that you get the most out of your education and do as well as you can, the government has made laws and rules to support you.

While you're in care you will have a Personal Education Plan (PEP), have support from a virtual headteacher, a designated teacher, have access to a counsellor or mentor and catch up help while also being able to take advantage of buddy systems and circle of friends at your school. Your pathway plan will also be really useful when you are about to finish school and are planning what to do next.

 

 

A buddy system

This is where a pupil (usually from Year 10 or 11) looks out for you and shows you around in the first few weeks. A buddy is someone you can talk to and who will tell you what things are really like at your new school.

A counsellor or mentor

This is usually an adult (who isn't a teacher) who comes in once a week to chat to you about how you're getting on and helps you with any problems. You don't have to have a counsellor, but they should be available if you want one. They can be very useful if you're finding things a little tough to deal with.

A circle of friends

Not every school will have this and - let's be honest - it sounds a bit, well y'know, but it's helped a lot of people settle in. You get a group of pupils, who have volunteered to help, who work with you and a teacher to sort out any problems or questions you've got. They'll meet up with you every now and again and check things are OK. Kinda like a gang of friends who'll watch out for you.

Catch up help

If there's been a gap between your old school and this one you might have missed lessons or fallen behind. Your school should offer help to catch up. If you haven't been offered this help but think it would be useful, speak to your designated teacher.
 

None of these things are forced on you but it's good to know they are available if you think they'd help. Your designated teacher will know about them and anything else that's on offer so don't be afraid to ask! It might make all the difference.

 

 
 

What if I'm not getting the support I need? 

There are times when your school may have slipped up, a teacher may not have done everything they could have, or the local authority has let you down.

If you think this has happened then you don't have to suffer in silence. You can complain. And we don't just mean you can moan to your mates like a grumpy old fool at the back of the bus, we mean you can make a formal complaint that people will take seriously.

Find out your rights in the Who Cares? County Council  or visit The Children's Legal Centre

 
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