Children in Care Get Extra Learning Boost

Teachers and social workers are to work together more closely to improve the education of children in care.

A new distance-learning and teaching tool will allow Midlothian education and social work teams to work together and also collaborate with neighbouring Scottish Borders Council.

The Midlothian-based project will also develop a two-year pilot tutoring service and provide better learning opportunities in residential units for children looked after by the council.

The initiative is being set up using Scottish Executive cash for education projects aimed at children in care. The council is one of seven awarded [pounds]117,000 over two years for such work, but has already committed to funding the work after the pilot ends.

Midlothian cabinet member for social work, councillor Danny Molloy, said: “We will be developing services both for children who need additional support with school work to help them catch up, and for those who need very different educational experiences as a way back to more formal education.”