10 - Boarding for vulnerable children pathfinder

Dudley is one of twelve pioneering authorities which are opening up the opportunity of boarding school places to vulnerable children and young people.

A national conference was recently held in Dudley by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to consider future plans for the boarding for vulnerable children pathfinder scheme.

Key representatives from the DCSF and local authorities are building partnerships and making links with boarding schools and associations to look at creating new opportunities for boarding places. Lord Andrew Adonis, Parliamentary under-secretary for schools joined the debate via a television-conference link.

The boarding school option may provide an alternative education for some children and young people who have specific needs. The support of a boarding environment in some cases may help prevent family breakdown or could help avoid the requirement of being taken into care.

There is no set number of placements and each case will be determined on individual needs. Placements will largely be funded through boarding school charitable trust funds.

Councillor Liz Walker, cabinet member for children’s services said:

“Our aim is to provide the best possible start in life for all of the children and young people in our borough. The option of being able to provide boarding provision for some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities could provide the opportunity to improve the life chances for some of those most at risk.”

Note to Editors

The ten authorities providing boarding provision in England:

Barking and Dagenham

Bexley

Buckinghamshire

Dudley

Hertfordshire

Northumberland

Southwark

Suffolk

Surrey

Westminster

News Release Contact Information

Name:	Jo Whitehouse
Telephone:	01384 813708
Email:	jo.whitehouse@dudley.gov.uk

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