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LOOKED AFTER STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS LEAVING CARE

A looked-after young person is anybody under the age of 18 who is under the care of their Local Authority. Leaving Care young people are age 18 – 25 who have been in care for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14.

As a Looked After or Leaving Care learner at Chesterfield College, we want you to have the best chance to grow, progress and succeed socially, emotionally and academically, helping you to be the very best version of yourself.

We understand that starting College can be a very scary time, and we will do our very best to provide the support you need to thrive during your time with us and help you get the most out of your college experience.

“My young person settled quickly and felt supported from the early stages, he has benefitted from the expectation that he takes greater responsibility for his learning as he approaches adulthood. I’m very happy with the progress he has made this academic year” – Carer

You will have a designated safeguarding link (member of the Wellbeing Team) who will;

  • Meet with you regularly throughout your learner journey
  • Provide a safe space where your voice is always heard
  • Offer additional or extra support if or when it’s needed, to give you the best chance to succeed
  • Work with your curriculum staff and other departments within college to monitor progress and ensure effective support is in place
  • Work closely with the team around you (including Social Workers, Leaving Care workers, carers, the Virtual School and other professionals) to keep everyone updated and share information as appropriate
  • Maintain your post-16 PETP (Personal Education and Training Plan) to monitor your progress, celebrate successes, identify any barriers to learning / need for intervention, and set targets to help you achieve your goals and aspirations

Looked After and Leaving Care learners are eligible for a bursary that offers additional financial support to help pay for things such as travel, uniform, kit/tools, materials, meals and trips/residentials. A bursary application form must be completed together with a letter from the Local Authority confirming your status.

If you have already applied or are considering Chesterfield College for the next step in your learner journey, we would welcome the opportunity to talk with you and/or the team around you, before joining us. This is an opportunity for you to find out more about college life and the support we offer, ask any questions you may have and share relevant information with us to help with your transition.

“Chesterfield College made me feel comfortable, I got to know the layout and expectations before I started. Tutors were welcoming and understanding and I settled in relatively quickly. Interaction with Safeguarding has been good. They have been understanding and offered multiple ways of supporting me” – Looked After learner

We also hold Meet-up Mornings during the summer where you will be invited to drop-in, enjoy refreshments and:

  • Tell us more about you!
  • Get to know the team and your key workers
  • Find out more about college life, including the support and enrichment opportunities available
  • Share any worries or ask any questions you might have as you prepare for starting college

Please contact the Safeguarding & Wellbeing Team on 01246 500688 if you would like to discuss any of the above.