Key Highlights
- Tamar shared her experience of moving frequently and the impact on her education.
- Chan highlighted the importance of reasonable learning adjustments for care-experienced students.
- Rebecca discussed the support she received from her adoptive parents and the challenges faced due to developmental issues.
Supporting Care-Experienced Youth in Schools: Insights from Ambassadors
The unique challenges faced by care-experienced young people at school have been highlighted through a series of interviews with youth ambassadors. These individuals, who themselves have experienced the foster care system, provide valuable insights into the support needed to thrive academically and personally.
Navigating Changes and Curricula
Tamar, one of the youth ambassadors, emphasized the difficulties she faced when moving frequently between different schools. “Being care-experienced meant that I had to learn a new curriculum each time I moved,” Tamar said. She also mentioned the additional strain this placed on her education: “Sometimes I would need to travel up to two hours to get to and from school, which was challenging.” Additionally, she highlighted how social workers often interrupted her classes, detracting from her learning experience.
Tamar’s story underscores a critical issue in supporting care-experienced students—adequate continuity of education. “I know I would have really benefitted from having a point of contact to help me deal with the various changes that came along with being in foster care,” she added, suggesting that such support could greatly enhance their educational outcomes.
Importance of Reasonable Learning Adjustments
Chan’s perspective focuses on the practical support needed within the classroom. “The support came from having my Education Health and Care Plan, which made clear to my school how I learned best and how being care experienced impacted my learning,” Chan explained. She further noted that while her plan was beneficial, more could be done: “If I could make one change at school, it would be to allow care experienced young people to be given reasonable learning adjustments if and when they needed them so there was more support in place.”
Chan’s advice highlights the necessity of tailored educational approaches for students with diverse needs. This includes ensuring that schools are equipped not only to identify but also to provide appropriate accommodations, thereby enabling these students to achieve their full potential.
The Role of Supportive Relationships and Environments
Rebecca’s story provides a poignant example of the importance of supportive relationships in overcoming educational challenges. “At my first primary school, my teachers were some of the most influential people in my life,” she said, expressing gratitude for their kindness during her difficult time. Rebecca also shared about the developmental issues she faced due to not being taught how to speak until age five: “One issue that I have faced is that I have trouble processing things—it can take me a bit longer to be able to understand and interpret what is being said in both written and verbal instructions.” Despite these challenges, she has managed to overcome them through resilience and support from her adoptive parents.
Rebecca’s narrative emphasizes the crucial role of supportive environments and relationships. “My adoptive parents have been such a rock for me,” she stated, highlighting how their love and support have helped her navigate complex situations. “Even things like being able to express myself and write this piece could not have happened without their love and support.”
Overall, the insights provided by these youth ambassadors underscore the need for comprehensive support systems within schools. This includes addressing the unique needs of care-experienced students, ensuring continuity of education despite frequent moves, providing tailored learning adjustments, and fostering supportive relationships that empower these young individuals to thrive both academically and personally.
As highlighted in this article, listening to the voices of care-experienced youth is essential for creating more inclusive and supportive educational environments. By implementing strategies based on their experiences, schools can better meet the needs of all students, ensuring a more equitable education system for everyone.
