A new service has been launched aimed at improving the educational development of children looked after by Coventry City Council.

The Educational Access Service for Looked After Children will aim to do "all that a good parent would" to encourage and support Looked After children and young people’s educational needs, in a bid to improve their chances in life.

One specialist teacher for looked after children has already been employed and a senior educational psychologist has been recruited to set up and manage the service. The remaining posts include a further specialist teacher, a behaviour support teacher and an education welfare officer.

A steering group comprising representatives from city council, the education and social services departments, schools, care users and the health authority will oversee the work of the service.

Members of Coventry City Council’s children and Young Person’s policy team will be asked to nominate a representative to be part of the steering group at their meeting tomorrow. (30 September)

Councillor John Mutton, Chair of the policy team, said:

"I have been concerned for many years that the education of children who are looked after by local authorities has been neglected. I am determined that this disadvantage will no longer continue and I will do everything possible to give these young people the same opportunities as other children."