2 . A Caring Corporate Parent
In 2015 , all colleges and universities in Scotland were identified as a Corporate Parent for care experienced young people . Prior to this , however , the College had already made a commitment to improving the outcomes and experiences of young people who are care experienced via for example , its Equality Outcomes 2013-2017 . The College was also successful in achieving the Buttle UK Quality Mark before it was phased out in 2014 . Since then , significant progress has been made with a considerable increase in the number of care experienced young people choosing to share their status with the College . The College ’ s priority is to build on this and in the years ahead be able to report a marked improvement in the retention , attainment and progression of these young people .
Key Highlights
College Corporate Parenting Plan 2016-2018 setting out actions necessary to improve the outcomes and experiences of care experienced young people . This plan is strategically aligned with the College ’ s Regional Outcome Agreement 2017-2020 and Equality Outcomes 2017-2021
Heather Dunk , Principal and Chief Executive of Ayrshire College , signed the Who Cares ? Scotland Pledge to Listen , committing the College to listen and take action to develop its strengths as advocates for the rights of care experienced young people
The College was the first college in Scotland to receive Who Cares ? Scotland Corporate Parenting training
The College was the first in Scotland to host a pan-Ayrshire Corporate Parenting event to share best practice and develop a support network for care experienced young people
The Students ’ Association established a Care Experienced Officer in the academic year
2016-2017 to promote and improve College support for care experienced students . A student care experienced forum is also planned to further develop this work .
Improved College data capturing mechanisms enabling better reporting , monitoring and tracking of care experienced students
Introduced a new online mandatory Safeguarding module for all staff in academic year 2016- 2017 which reflects the College ’ s Protect , Prevent and Parent strategy 4
Improved working relationships between the College , the three local authorities in Ayrshire and Skills Development Scotland ( SDS )
Developed and widely promoted College supports available to encourage enrolment , retention , attainment and progression of care experienced young people
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4
This is the College ’ s strategy in line with its duties to safeguard all students and meet requirements set out by Prevent and Corporate Parenting