Charity launched to improve prospects of children in care

Known as TLC, or Together for Looked-after Children, it aims to help children in residential care or foster homes reach the their potential.

Research shows that children in care do less well in education and few go to university.

The Calderdale organisation, which is a registered charity, has the backing of several patrons, including broadcaster and writer Gervase Phinn, actor and founder of Northern Broadsides Barry Rutter and Calendar TV presenter Christine Talbot.

The Conservative MP for Calder Valley, Craig Whittaker, said: “This launch is only the beginning of an exciting new way to help youngsters in care to fulfil their potential and achieve educational success.

“I am delighted that the charity is up and running and has already raised sufficient funds to support the Letterbox scheme.”

The Letterbox scheme involves the delivery of parcels of books to seven-year-olds and eight-year-olds in care, with an emphasis on literacy and numeracy skills.

Founding members of the charity have already donated money which is being used to deliver the books across Calderdale.

Donations will also be used to provide support for other age groups including older children applying for university places, apprenticeships or training schemes.

Mr Whittaker added: “We intend looked-after children to be able to access the support required to make successful applications. This will be achieved through bursaries, workshops or residential courses designed to enhance the excellent support they receive at school and from Calderdale’s care services.”

TLC is a non-political charity run independently for the benefit of all looked-after children in Calderdale.

There are 43,700 children in care nationally; of these 33,000 are of school age.

Calderdale has 274 looked after children aged from 0-19. Forty five are over 16.

National figures in 2009 showed that only seven per cent of children in care go on to study at university compared with 43 per cent of all other children.

Donations can be made by contacting the charity on 01484 711260.