Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what encouragement and assistance they are providing to local authorities and charities to enable more children in care suited to a boarding education to find places in boarding schools.

The Department for Education published guidance in November 2014, entitled Boarding schools: an opportunity to improve outcomes for vulnerable children. This is available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/boarding-schools-improving-outcomes-for-vulnerable-children. The Department also held a conference to support local authorities in improving outcomes for children in care.

The guidance aims to encourage local authorities, virtual school head teachers, social workers and other professionals to consider whether a boarding place could be a beneficial option for some vulnerable children, including children who are in, and on the edge of, care. The decision should always focus on what provision would be in the best interests of the child, taking into account both their social and educational needs.

In addition, statutory guidance on promoting the educational achievement of looked after children states: “where a looked-after child would benefit from attending a boarding school, either in the state or independent sector, virtual school heads and social workers should be proactive in considering this option”.