Useful Web Sites

• Dudley Council Websites

• Government Policies and Initiatives

• Guidance for Parents and Carers

• Guidance in Using Computers and the Internet

• Online Learning Resources

• General Guidance and Support for Young People

• Careers and Learning

• Long Term Planning

• Employment Resources

• Internet Safety Resources

Dudley Council Web Sites

• Dudley Performing Arts
  The Dudley Performing Arts Home Page with information about Music Tuition

• Schools Information
  Contact information for Dudley Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Special Schools and the Short Stay School Service.

• School Term Dates

• Special Educational Needs (SEN)
  Information about SEN and how children and young people with special educational needs are supported in Dudley

• Dudley Parent Partnership
  Support and advice for parents and carers of children and young people with SEN

• Dudley Counselling Service
  A counselling service dedicated to the needs of children and young people in Dudley

• Dudley Libraries Parents and Carers' Pages
  These pages offer some useful information of what services Dudley Libraries has to offer you, and the children you care for.

Government Policies and Initiatives

• Department for Education Website
  Government policies and intitaives in education

• DfE Information about Children in Care
  Information about the Government's strategy for protecting and providing for children in care

• Promoting the Educational Achievement of Looked After Children: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities
  This guidance was published in March 2010. Local authorities must act in accordance with it unless there are exceptional reasons for not doing so. It includes information about the role of the designated teacher introduced by the Children and Young Persons Act 2008, and reflects the school admissions legislation which gives priority to looked after children.

• Education Protects
  The West Midlands Education Protects website for information on the education of Looked after Children in the West Midlands Region.

• The National Curriculum
  Full details of the National Curriculum taught in State Schools
  

Guidance for Parents and Carers

•  Parents Centre Education and Learning
  Advice for parents and carers to help support children's education and learning

• BBC Guidance on education for Parents and Carers
  BBC guide for parents and carers to help support children's education and learning

• BBC CBeebies for Parents
  Advice on how to make the best use of the BBC online resources and ideas for supporting the learning of young children.

• iChild
  

  Hundreds of free, printable, fun activities and worksheets that cover child development and education from birth to 11 years. Covers subjects from the National Curriculum but also provides additional materials to help support children at home including rewards charts and children's savings advice. It also incorporates links to discounted children's activities, attractions and competitions.

• Netbuddy
  Netbuddy is an award-winning site for swapping practical tips and information on all aspects of supporting people with learning disabilities.
  
  From brushing teeth to managing challenging behaviour Net buddy lists more than 1,000 practical tips and suggestions form people with first hand experience of special needs.  It even has information packs on a number of useful topics including financial help, holidays and challenging behaviour

• The School Run
  Advice and links to free websites and resources to help parents and carers support children aged 3 to 14 with their education, health and general well-being. Includes support materials for SATS and avice and articles on children's behaviour, dyslexia and autism.

• Wordpool
  Useful guidance for parents, carers and teachers in choosing appropriate books for children and ideas on how to support children with their reading. It includes sections on supporting reluctant readers and suggestions for books which can be used to support children who are dealing with specific issues such as self-esteem, adoption, death etc

• Reading Matters

  This is a straightforward site with descriptions of a large number of children’s books grouped by author and Title. It also includes reviews sent in by children and a useful “Book Chooser” if you are struggling to find the right book for your children to read.

Guidance in Using Computers and the Internet

• BBC Computer Tutor
  Basic introduction to using a mouse,keyboard and computer screen.

• BBC Webwise
  Basic introduction to using a computer and the internet. Includes interactive short courses and guidance on using email, shopping online, social media, safety and privacy 

• Online Basics
  Online basics is a free, easy to use introduction to computers and the internet. It includes short interactive modules on how to use a mouse and keyboard, how to email, and how to search for information and stay safe online. 

• MyGuide
  This website is designed to help people take their first steps with computers and the internet. Registered users get access to an easy-to-use email system and a wide range of online courses. Registration is easy and free.
  

General Guidance and Support for Young People

• The Who Cares? Trust
  The Who Cares? Trust is a voice and a champion for children and young people in the UK living in care. The web site provides a range of information and practical advice for young people in care as well as resources for carers and other professionals who support looked after children.

• Kooth.com
  A free anonymous confidential website where young people aged 11-25 can go for help.
  Includes:

  • Online Counselling from specially trained therapists and advice workers

  • Advice and guidance

  • Information about what's going on in the local area

  • The facility for young people to write blogs or magazine articles

• Project Vogue
  Project Vogue is dedicated to gay, bisexual or transgendered (LGBT) young people or those who think they might be. This site provides access to local information for LGBT teenagers who live in the Dudley area - that includes Halesowen, Stourbridge, Kingswinford and Dudley They meet up each month at a Central Dudley location to chat, make new friends and get advice and support.   

• Cruse Bereavement RD4U
  RD4U is a website developed by Cruse Bereavement Care's Youth Involvement Project which aims to support young people, after the death of someone close to them. 

• Skill for Disabled Students
  Skill Helpline has a new home with the Disability Alliance. It provides support and information for disabled students.  It can offer on line information to for disabled students, families and carers and professionals, factsheets and a helpline/email advice service. It also offers help on education, training and employment. 
  
  The helpline is open Tuesdays 11:30 -1:30 and Thursdays 1:30 - 3:30; tel 0800 328 5050 or email skill4disabled students@disabilityalliance.org.

Online Learning Resources for Young People

• CBeebies
  Colourful interactive educational activities for younger children.

• BBC—Schools
  A comprehensive range of interactive activities and information appropriate for all ages and all areas of the national Curriculum.

• Mangahigh
  

  Mangahigh's scientific maths games bring maths games to life! Try them now and find out what all the fuss is about. Fun problem solving maths for secondary age children.

• New York Philharmonic Orchestra Kids Zone
  Great fun is to be had on this site. It includes listening to different orchestral instruments playing the same tune, composing simple tunes and various games using different musical instruments.

• Planet Science
  Free & fun Science resources for children, young people, teachers and parents.

• Kids on the Net
  This site contains masses of information, guidance, activities and games which encourage and support children with reading and writing. It also includes book reviews by children. 

• Channel 4 - Bookbox
  This is an attractive and fun interactive site giving information about authors and books, hints and tips on writing and games and activities which can help children to develop their reading and writing skills.

• Up to Ten
  A range of colourful educational games and activities for early years children

• Show Me
  See cool and crazy stuff from museums and galleries around the UK

• E-Learning for Kids
  Free online activities for all ages covering englsih, maths, science, computer skills and life skills

• Skoool.co.uk
  

  Interactive lessons in Science and Maths for all puipls to age 16. Select the E-Learning Foundation link to download the lessons to your computer. Once downloaded you don't need to be connected to the internet to use the materials. You can run them as often as you like and learn anytime. Alternatively you can access the materials online by selecting the link to London Grid for Learning .

Careers and Learning

• 14-19 Prospectus
  Search for courses and get help with finding the right direction for you. If you're 13 to 19 and thinking about the future, this site can help.

• BBC
  Revision guides, tips, help and exam advice

• BestCourse4me
  Guidance on choosing university courses and shows you the link between what people study and their employment record afterwards.

• Big Ambition
  A technology careers website for 14-19 year olds created by e-skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology. BigAmbition provides an insider view of technology careers and education opportunities. 

• Careersoft
  Careers info for young people (select 'Careers Gateway' for careers information)

• Cascaid
  Careers information (select 'Career Bytes' for careers information)

• Connexions Direct
  For information, help and advice on a range of subject, including education, employment and work-based learning. Tel: 080 800 13 2 19 / Text: 077664 13 2 19

• Fast Tomato
  Interactive online help with decisions on careers in education

• GetSmaart
  A range of guides and advice on choosing a University course and other career options including apprenticeships, gap years and summer holiday jobs. Includes the Getsmaart Emag which has a features on a range of issues ranging from popular TV shows and celebrities to how to write Personal Statements and information on universities and career paths. The magazines is interactive incorporating videos, interactive articles, and an online response form.

• Learndirect
  For information on hundreds of online courses to help you improve your IT skills, office skills, maths, English and many more. Tel: 0800 100 900

• Money to Learn
  Government site about financial support on offer for 16 -18 year olds.

• UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
  Advice, application information and help with course searches. Tel: 01242 222444 Minicom: 01242 544942

Long Term Planning

• 2070 Launch Your Life
  information about about the need for, and value of, long-term financial lifestyle planning. Includes web-based interactive simulation to help students think about and plan for their future.

Jobs and Employment 

• Apprenticeships
  Information on Apprenticeships and national vacancies online

• Jobseekers Direct
  Information on training, education and job opportunities

• Jobcentre Plus
  For job vacancies, information on job hunting and eligibility for benefits and how to claim them.
  Tel: 0845 6060 234 / Textphone: 0845 6055 255

• Nextstep
  Nextstep offers advice on learning and work to people aged 20 and above