Many foster children and young people face unique challenges that can impact their academic performance and overall school experience. By understanding these challenges and providing tailored support, foster carers can help children thrive on their educational journeys.
In this blog post, our Fosterline advisors have collected some of their top tips for foster carers preparing to support the children in their home to start the new school term.
(Note: in this blog post we use ‘children’ to refer to babies, children, and young people).
1. Recognise individual challenges
Children in foster care may have experienced disruptions that hinder their academic progress. This can include frequent school changes, trauma from their personal history, or a lack of parent/carer involvement in their education. As a foster carer, recognising these challenges is the first step in providing effective support. It's essential to understand the individual needs of each child, which may vary significantly based on their background and experiences.
Discuss any issues and the possible need for additional SEN support (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) with the school and the child’s social worker to help remove any barriers to learning and enable a child to benefit from their education. Each school or nursery will have a SENCO, who is a co-ordinator for children with additional needs. The child may receive SEN support in school such as speech therapy, or may have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. This is a plan for children and young people up to the age of 25 who have more complex needs. The local Information, Advice and Support Service (IAS) can give further advice about SEND.
2. Create a stable routine
Creating a stable and nurturing home environment can greatly enhance a child's ability to learn. Establishing clear routines that include designated homework times, regular mealtimes, and quiet spaces for studying can help children feel secure and focused. Encourage a culture of learning at home by having a quiet space, educational materials readily available, including books, art supplies, and access to technology for research and assignments. A stable environment not only helps with academic pursuits but also promotes emotional well-being. Children often thrive on stability, and a structured daily routine that includes dedicated time for homework, reading, and school preparations can significantly improve their focus and attitude towards learning.
3. Encourage open communication
Care experienced young people may experience feelings of anxiety, insecurity, or low self-worth. Creating an emotionally supportive environment is essential for their educational success. Encourage open communication and reassure them that it’s okay to express their fears and frustrations regarding school. Give time and space to the child/young person when they return from their education setting to check how it is going for them and ensure things are going well for them; speak to the child's social worker if you have any concerns.
4. Support a love for learning
Foster carers can inspire a love for learning by engaging children in educational activities outside of school. Visiting museums, attending workshops, or participating in community events can make learning fun and relevant. Every child has unique interests, and foster carers can help children connect with these interests to enhance their overall learning experience. Activities such as reading books that relate to their hobbies or signing them up for clubs and extracurricular activities not only strengthen their academic learning but also boost their self-esteem and social skills. Social interactions help children and young people develop teamwork and communication skills, which are essential for their emotional and academic growth.
5. Supporting babies and toddlers
Learning starts before school, and reading aloud regularly to babies and young children helps build language and thinking skills even before babies can speak. Repetition of favourite books and having regular reading routines can help children thrive. Making funny sounds and having back and forth interactions whilst reading can help build positive relationships. Introducing new words and discussion about the pictures to create new stories helps build thinking skills.
Further ways foster carers can provide support
- Providing a healthy diet and encouraging a regular sleep pattern will help support concentration, focus and memory. If this is an area of concern small incremental changes may work best to help a child adjust to new routines.
- Support a child/young person to achieve their education or training goals.
- Keep nursery, school, alternative education or college informed of any significant changes and issues for the child / young person.
- Help the child or young person to express their aspiration or concerns and advocate on their behalf or request an independent advocate for the young person if appropriate.
- Attend open evenings, Personal Education Plan meetings (PEPS) and any school meetings needed and encourage, where appropriate, parent’s involvement.
- Establish clear expectations and support with attendance, punctuality, uniform, and completion of homework
- Contribute to the on-going assessment of the child’s educational needs and progress including the support of the PEP.
- Have up to date information about progress and attendance and celebrate achievements.
- Liaise with the school and other agencies including the child’s social worker if school attendance is an issue. Building strong relationships and advocating for the child can help create a supportive network that understands the unique situation of the child.
- Encourage a young person to look at alternative education, further or higher education or training after secondary schooling. Ambition for the young person along with support can boost confidence and determination.
- Record any relevant information with regards to the child/young person; a child’s academic journey is part of their childhood and life story.
- Support with homework and offer guidance if there are difficulties but avoid taking over. Encouraging problem solving skills and independent study will help build positive self-esteem.
Foster carers are critical in advocating and nurturing the educational needs of children. By understanding the unique challenges, establishing routine and consistency, collaborating with schools, fostering interests, and providing emotional support, they can greatly improve the chances of educational success for babies, children and young people in their care. This commitment can help promote their educational experiences, paving the way for a brighter future.
