Sandwell Council has been recognised at the Children and Young People (CYP) Now Awards for their outstanding work with children in care. The Sandwell Virtual School and Connexions services teams saw off competition from seven finalists to win the Children in Care CYP Now Awards 2020.
They work together to help children in care into education, employment or training when they finish school. Children and young people are supported throughout secondary school and given careers advice to help them choose the path that’s right for them. The programme - Sandwell Careers Guarantee - has resulted in nearly all young people being in either education, employment or training at the age of 16.
Figures for those not in education, employment or training have come down from 24% in 2017 to 6% in 2021. The outcomes for Sandwell’s children in care have been rapidly improving. Sandwell Virtual School helps children in care get the very best education possible.
Councillor Joyce Underhill, cabinet member for best start in life, said: “We are thrilled to gain national recognition for the amazing work we are doing to rapidly improve outcomes for children in care.
"Sadly, children in care are often less likely to do well at school and we are very pleased that here in Sandwell we are bucking that trend. There are 559 children in care who are currently in education and latest data has shown they are all doing better from nursery right through to GCSE and A level results.”
Cllr Maria Crompton, deputy leader of Sandwell Council, added: "Getting recognition at such a high level is a wonderful achievement and our teams and young people have done an amazing job to improve so much since 2017. We want to continue to support children and young people in care in every way we can, by raising aspirations to help them achieve their full potential and thrive.
"We will continue to work hard with giving extra support to children, our wonderful foster carers and schools to make sure these vulnerable children are able to achieve their potential and thrive."
