Take Care: The school experiences of children and young people who have been in care
Take Care is a new toolkit designed to help schools better understand and support children and young people in care. Developed with care-experienced children and young people, this guide provides insight into their school experiences and the challenges they face.
Take Care consists of a youth-centred resource and an accompanying school guide. This toolkit is intended to empower the whole school community – leaders, teachers, and non-teaching staff – by providing the tools to uphold the rights of care-experienced students and ensure they have the support they need to succeed in education.
Why was this toolkit developed?
In 2021, EPIC hosted a webinar with care-experienced children and young people about their experiences in education. A key recommendation that emerged was the need for greater awareness among teachers about the care system and the impact it has on students’ lives. Many young people felt their school experiences could have been improved if teachers had a better understanding of their needs.
The Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) provided funding for the project and EPIC worked with Kids’ Own to host a series of creative workshops. Through art and storytelling, children and young people shared their personal experiences of school to create this resource, making it an authentic and practical guide.
What’s inside?
- First-hand experiences from care-experienced young people.
- Practical recommendations for teachers, school leaders, and staff.
- Guidance on building a trauma-informed and inclusive school environment.
- Strategies for supporting care-experienced students.
Who is it for?
- Teachers: Learn how to create a safe and supportive learning space.
- Principals and School Leaders: Build a care-aware school culture.
- School Support Staff: Understand how you can make a difference.
Funded by
