BECTA

The Green Paper ‘Care Matters, Transforming the Lives of Children and Young People in Care’ (DfES; 10 October, 2006) made a commitment to “Investigate with the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), the feasibility of an on-line learning resource for children in care.” 

These children and young people have diverse and complex needs, resulting in lower than average educational achievement and low levels of progression into further and higher education.  The Green Paper states that “while the outcomes of children in care have risen, the gap between children in care and other children gaining 5A*-C grades has begun to widen as reforms have driven up the attainment of all children.”

Sero was commissioned to undertake a feasibility study addressing the following requirements identified in Care Matters:

• To pilot different approaches to building on the new investment in learning platforms, and examine how best to support children in care and their carers across a range of ages and educational settings – such as through the use of ICT to offer personalized support particularly across transition.

• To investigate the use of ICT to provide a range of help with learning in a single, easily accessible place & keep young people engaged in learning.  These will include:

• structured digital learning materials
• online support and e-mentoring
• social & study networks
• services & support for carers

Sero scoped, researched and drafted the feasibility study to a tight timescale from February to May 2007.

We undertook structured consultations and focus group work with local authorities, young people and their carers, national agencies, key representative groups and e-learning experts.

The consultations sought to identify:

• A client and carer need profile
• A review of existing provision
• A programme framework
• Implementation issues and approaches
• A cost benefit model
• An engagement model
• Next steps for piloting and roll out

The feasibility study recommended a national online resource, complemented by opportunity for local added value. To support the recommendation, it presented a solution architecture, business case and engagement plan.  Recommendations were made in the context of:

• ‘Harnessing Technology’, the DfES e-strategy
• The Ministerial Task Force for Home Access
• The Children’s Workforce Strategy
• Targeted Youth Support
• The Leitch Review of Skills