Children's Services

Looked After Children

Who we deal with

We work across health, education and Adult and Community Services to improve the chances of children we look after in Barking and Dagenham (look after is the wording we now use for children in care).

Services available

We provide:

Advice and support to social workers and foster carers about education issues
Homework support clubs, individual tuition, booster classes (extra lessons where needed) and support in exams
Access to a range of courses and benefits for young people who want to go into further education
Activities to develop personal skills and support for children and young people we look after; and
Health screening and advice to young people and their carers as well as help in finding GP services or dental care

The team is known as the Looked After Children Health and Education Support (LACHES) team

The team is made up of case workers, teachers and a nurse who all specialise in working with children and young people. Social workers can contact us for advice and support in working with a young person who needs help to find a school place or has other educational needs.

Our nurse will arrange health screening and access to dental treatment. She can arrange to visit young people to give individual advice. Foster carers can contact the nurse direct for health advice and information on health. Young people can also refer themselves as well if they want to.

Frequently asked questions

I am scared to have a medical. Can the nurse in the LACHES team help and advise me on any health worries I may have?

Our nurse can talk to you in confidence about health worries and make arrangements for you to see a GP if she feels you need some help.

Do I have to be referred by my social worker to get help with my education from the LACHES team?

You can contact us yourself to discuss what help and support you need with your education. We work closely with social workers and will talk to you about any service they can offer.

I am taking my GCSEs this summer and I could do with some extra help. Can your team help me?

We will be happy to discuss options with you. We can arrange some extra tuition if you think this would help or arrange for you to go to a booster class or the homework club.

I am a foster carer for Barking and Dagenham and I am concerned about the progress my foster child is making in school. Can I get advice and talk about this with you?

Yes, you can contact us and talk to one of our teacher advisers who will be able to give helpful suggestions about what you can ask the school to do to help. Our teacher adviser can contact the teacher at the school your foster child goes to, on your behalf if you want, and raise your concerns.

I have left school and I am out of work. I want to find out about training courses but I am short of money, can you help?

Yes, if you contact us, we will be able to tell you about courses and help you to apply for a place. We will also be able to tell you about the range of benefits available to looked-after children who are in education or training so that further education or training becomes more affordable than you think!

Related services

Care Web|

Care Web is a young person's guide to being looked after and includes information and advice on education, health and other cool site for young people looked after.