Webwatch: ExChange – Online education hub for Welsh children in care
By Webwatch, , ,

Cardiff University and the Welsh Government have joined forces to launch an online hub to share information and resources focusing on children in care and their education.

ExChange: Care & Education is a bilingual, free to access online hub which will focus on care experienced children and young people and their education, providing a resource for teachers, foster carers, social workers and practitioners.

Developed by an all-Wales network set up by CASCADE, a social care research centre at the University’s School of Social Sciences, the hub will host resources from practice and research, including user-friendly summaries and appraisals, practical ways to develop, adapt and improve resources, helpful links between different approaches, and insightful blogs, practice expertise and research evidence.

ExChange is based on the principle that best practice can develop where experience and expertise are shared and collaboration encouraged. Materials on the site will be freely available, with the hope that they will support the Welsh Government strategy for looked-after children.

The Welsh Government has provided £27,000 in funding to help set up the project.

Education Secretary Kirsty Williams said: “I am committed to equality of opportunity and equity of provision, ensuring that all children and young people are supported to achieve their potential, regardless of their background or personal circumstances…”

“I am delighted that we have been working with CASCADE – Cardiff University to develop this online community of practice where everyone involved with care-experienced children and young people will find a helpful ‘one- stop shop’ for information relating to improving outcomes.”

Dr Dawn Mannay, Cardiff University, said: “Our research at CASCADE has highlighted that there is still a lot of work to do in improving the educational experiences and attainment of children and young people who are looked after and care leavers…”

“We are really pleased to be involved in creating the Exchange: Care & Education hub, which will provide much-needed opportunities to share materials, promote best practice and work collaboratively to effect positive outcomes.”

The ExChange: Care & Education hub is being launched at events at Cardiff University and Porth Eirias, Colwyn Bay.

Information on the hub can be found at www.exchangewales.org.