Fact finding tour at award winning project
Lisa Nandy MP, who is heading a parliamentary inquiry into how the life-chances of children in care can be improved, has visited the award-wining Horizons Education and Achievement Centre in Hanwell.
She is investigating how the care system can be changed to improve the educational outcomes for looked-after children. The fact-finding tour on Tuesday 23 November aimed to find out more about the work of the Horizons Centre.
The Horizons Centre is part of Ealing Council’s successful social services Leaving Care programme. In partnership with the Ealing Youth and Connexions Service, it provides young people in care and those who have recently left care with support and advice, as well as help with professional training and personal development.
Young people are also supported by a range of other educational initiatives including a peer mentoring scheme and an allocated caseworker to provide advice and support on further education.
As a result, Ealing’s looked-after children have a strong record of academic achievement with around 18% going on to study at university - three times the national average of 6%. Many also go on to study at college and through apprenticeships, including apprenticeship programmes at Ealing Council.
Councillor Patricia Walker, cabinet member for Children and Young People, said: “The Horizons Centre has made a huge difference to the life chances of young people in care in the borough. The actual building is fantastic, but so are the staff members that deliver our innovative programme and we’re happy to share our successes with this cross-party parliamentary inquiry.
“We are very proud of the ambitions and achievements of our looked-after children and we are committed to supporting them in their further education and development.”
30 November 2010
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