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Help homeless children to learn and achieve

 

Homeless, Not Hopeless:

How small changes can make a big difference in the quality

of education for homeless students

 

This publication is for adults who, knowingly or without initially being aware, come into regular contact with homeless children and young people. You might be a youth worker, housing officer, librarian, health services provider, additional support specialist, social worker, Children’s Panel member or a school staff member, but no matter which of these roles you hold, there is something you can do to help children and young people burdened by homelessness.

 

The particular focus here is on what schools can do. Since children and young people spend so much time at school, it is important that all the adults dealing with homelessness have at least a basic understanding of the role and importance of education for these individuals. This publication is designed to act as a reference guide for those with existing knowledge and experience in the area, and as a primer for those seeking more information. It was developed based on feedback from children, parents and school staff.


Click here to read the publication

 

The education sector can make a lasting and positive difference to the lives of homeless children

Attending and learning at school can be more difficult for homeless children.  Children affected by homelessness are entitled to support to help them learn and enjoy school. While some schools provide this, there are many children across Scotland who are missing out. The consequences for children may last a lifetime.

Education professionals can make a difference to homeless children's lives and life chances through simple, small changes in their approach. This will reap benefits for homeless children, schools and the wider community.

This website provides guidance on measures education professionals can take to assist homeless children with their learning. It offers them the information, tools and resources they need to deliver a service that will support homeless children to learn and enjoy school.

Learn how the education sector can help

  • Background

    This section provides information on who will find the website useful as well as a summary of how we came to develop an online resource for the education sector about supporting homeless children.

  • Children and homelessness

    Children who are homeless can be seriously affected by their housing situation. It can impact upon their schooling, health, education, safety and their life chances.

    This section explains what homelessness is, what help and advice is available for families who are homeless and where to find key homelessness and housing statistics for Scotland.

  • What is the fit with education policy?

    There are four key policy and legislative frameworks which place a duty and an expectation on the education sector to recognise and address the support needs of children who are affected by homelessness.

    This section gives an overview of these four key drivers and the responsibility they place on the education sector to provide homeless children with the support they need to learn.

     

  • How can schools help?

    These pages look at the actions the education sector can take to support children affected by homelessness with their learning.

  • What you can do

    This section provides a series of questions to help education professionals within and outwith schools to reflect and review what steps their school or local authority need to take to ensure that services are sensitive to the needs of children affected by homelessness.