Support for Dumfries and Galloway young people in care

YOUNG people who live under the legal supervision of their local council, but can live at home with their parents, in foster care, with other family members or friends, or in residential care, will soon have access to a better education.

Dumfries and Galloway College has teamed up with the council to launch an innovative new programme designed to support Looked After Young People (LAYP) from across the region to continue their education after they’ve left school. The LAYP programme has been awarded £600,000 from the Scottish Funding Council and will run initially for two years. One of three programmes in Scotland, it has been tailored by the college and its partners to meet the needs of LAYP in Dumfries and Galloway, particularly for those living in rural areas.

June Holland, Head of Faculty of Education, Health and Creative Industries, said: “Nationally, 43 per cent of young people who are looked after have no qualifications beyond access level.

“LAYP in Dumfries and Galloway faces the same challenges and barriers as others throughout the country, but the rural environment can often exacerbate these problems.

“We have identified around 100 young people who will benefit from this programme.

“Of these 100 young people, 23 are currently enrolled or about to become enrolled in the college but only nine have attended regularly.

“The money awarded by the Scottish Funding Council will be used to appoint two caseworkers, based at the Dumfries and Stranraer campuses, who will act as mentors, supporters and advocates of the young people at every stage of the programme.”

Tony Jakimciw, Principal of Dumfries and Galloway College, added: “By supporting Looked After Young People and care leavers across Dumfries and Galloway College through the transition to Further Education, we will ensure that they have access to the same opportunities as their peers and that they achieve everything they are capable of.”

“Geoff Dean, Operations Manager Social Work Services at Dumfries and Galloway Council, said: “The council is delighted to be working closely in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway College to improve outcomes for looked after young people or those who were formerly looked after.”