LACE Phase I
The Looked After Children in Education (LACE) research set about to explore the issues concerning the education experiences of children and young people in residential care as they perceived them and suggest ways in which things could be improved. Young people were trained in interview and research techniques and conducted the research themselves; a project worker supported them in this.

LACE Phase II
The LACE project aims to make education a more positive experience for 'looked after' children and young people in Northern Ireland and to improve their levels of educational achievement, acknowledging that these are interdependent.

It is clear that knowledge and information concerning individual young people is not always used or shared appropriately. The experiences of being stigmatised and pitied was clearly evident yet it is apparent that schools must have access to certain information in order to support a young person to achieve their full educational potential.

It is also evident that professionals in general and the mainstream pupil population do not have sufficient general information about the residential child care system in Northern Ireland and the children and families who are involved with it.

It is also apparent that young people are not always included within the decision-making processes concerning their education. Clear protocols need to be established which allow a child or young person to feel more relaxed whilst at school which may reduce the potential for conflict.

Aims of LACE II
It is intended that the second phase should be a yearlong and will establish appropriate partnerships with agencies, individuals and young people, who will be integral throughout this work, from across Northern Ireland. LACE will have the following aims.

1. To undertake an audit of existing services and initiatives seeking to address the education needs of looked after children. This will influence the subsequent stages.
   
   
2. To agree Northern Ireland wide protocol addressing the best practices and information which is shared concerning individual young people between:
   • Care and education agencies
   
   
   • School staff
     
     
3. To develop and pilot a training programme for professionals in formal education, EWS and social care.
   
   
4. To develop and pilot a training programme for inclusion in the PSE programme of all post-primary schools which will inform all school pupils of the issues surrounding residential care and social need in general. This work will be delivered using peer education methods.
   
   
5. To develop an action plan which will ensure that strategies and processes are in place which attempt to improve the educational outcomes for young people. A LACE III may be necessary to build upon this.

The management group for LACE is comprised of 4 partner agencies, Include Youth, Save the Children and VOYPIC. The project is operationally managed and based at Include Youth Belfast office.

The project is advised by a young people's advisory group and an advisory group made up of relevant professionals from education, social care, youth justice, foster parents and young people.

For more information about LACE please contact

Lorraine Devlin
LACE Co-ordinator
Include Youth
Alpha House
3 Rosemary Street
Belfast
BT1 1QA

Tel: 028 9031 1007
Fax: 028 9024 4436
e-mail: lace@includeyouth.org