Admissions for looked after children

One of the factors most likely to disadvantage young people in care is the school time they may lose by being out of school, so securing a suitable school place must be a priority. There are two duties placed on local authorities:

• Securing an educational placement is one of the main criteria which must be used in identifying a suitable care placement — this should generally be taken to mean a full-time place in a local mainstream school, commencing without delay
• The Government expects local authorities to set a maximum time limit of 20 school days within which they must secure an education placement for any pupil in public care — it will be a full-time place in a local mainstream school unless the circumstances of the child make full-time or local or mainstream provision unsuitable

Local authorities and admissions authorities need to be able to justify clearly any delay in providing education. Admissions authorities should not fail to admit a young person because they are in public care nor should they allow any unnecessary delay in the admissions process for these young people. It is recommended that all admission authorities give children in public care top priority in their oversubscription criteria.

The School Admissions Code of Practice (2003) states:

'It is recommended that admission authorities give looked after children top priority in their oversubscription criteria. (Schools designated by the Department for Education and Skills as having a religious character may give priority to looked after children of their faith over those children belonging to other faiths.) Care placement moves can be temporary or out of the Education Authority's area and often happen outside the normal admissions round, when popular schools are full. Part of the Admission Forum's role is to consider how to ensure that local arrangements work effectively for such children, so that places can be found in schools that are suitable to their social, pastoral and educational needs as quickly as possible.'

In line with the above, all of Walsall Children's Services foundation and community schools have children in public care as first priority in their admission criteria. Our schools that have a religious character give priority to looked after children of their faith over those children belonging to other faiths, but children of other faiths who are in care are given special consideration.

Contact us

Walsall Children's Services
Educational Development Centre
Pelsall Lane
Rushall
Walsall  WS4 1NG

Telephone 01922 686200
Fax 01922 686440
Email help@walsallcs.serco.com

Enquiries about admissions to secondary schools should be made to 01922 686355
Email: secondary.admission@walsallcs.serco.com

Enquiries about admissions to primary schools should be made to 01922 686359
Email: primary.admissions@walsallcs.serco.com