Supporting Looked-After Children: How Tutoring Can Empower Educational Growth

The number of children in care in England continues to grow, reaching 33,000 new entries in the 2022-2023 period, a 6% rise from the previous year. Notably, this increase includes a significant proportion of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, who now account for 21% of new children entering care. As the number of children entering care rises, ensuring they receive the right educational support is more important than ever. Many children may face disruptions in their schooling or need tailored academic and emotional assistance to thrive in their learning environments. ​(Explore our statistics and data) ​(GOV.UK).

Now, let’s look at how personalised tutoring approaches can help children in care thrive academically and emotionally.

Introduction

Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported in their learning and personal growth, no matter their background. For children in foster care, this is even more pertinent. Each child brings their own strengths, experiences, and potential, and our role as teachers, tutors, and supportive adults is to create environments where they can flourish.

Supporting Children in Care Through Learning

Children in care, like all children, benefit from a learning environment that offers emotional support, a sense of belonging, and opportunities to explore their interests. As tutors and educators, it’s important to approach each child as an individual and offer a flexible, responsive approach to learning that meets their unique needs. With patience and understanding, we can help children feel confident and empowered in their education.

Building Trust and Emotional Connection

A strong foundation of trust is key to supporting children in care. In a tutoring setting, building trust might involve being consistent, showing understanding, and being genuinely curious about their learning experiences and challenges. Some children may be more open to discussing their feelings, while others might express themselves through their behaviour or engagement with their work. Respecting each child’s pace in forming connections is important, as is providing a safe space where they feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes without fear of judgement.

Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Learning Spaces

Children often thrive when they feel like they belong. In a tutoring context, this can mean taking the time to understand their interests, strengths, and the unique ways they learn best. It’s important to create an inclusive environment where each child’s individual skills are recognised and valued. Building positive, collaborative relationships with students helps them feel more connected and supported, whether they’re working one-on-one or in group settings.

Encouraging Independence Through Educational Choices

Offering children in care the chance to make decisions about their learning can help build their confidence and independence. In a tutoring setting, this could involve giving them choices over what subject to focus on during a session, which learning approach suits them best (e.g., visual, hands-on, discussion-based), or how they want to tackle a task. These small choices help children feel empowered and respected, which can be particularly valuable when they may not always have control over other areas of their lives.

Practising Patience and Flexibility

Every child learns at their own pace, and for children in care, adjusting to a new tutoring or school environment may take time. As tutors, it’s essential to be patient and flexible in our approach, adapting to the child’s needs and making adjustments when necessary. Some children may face challenges that affect their focus or confidence in learning, and being responsive to these needs can help them feel more secure and supported.

Celebrating Achievements and Offering Positive Reinforcement

Recognising and celebrating the small wins in a child’s learning journey can have a big impact on their confidence and motivation. Whether a student has improved in a particular subject, tried a new approach, or simply engaged more in a session, positive reinforcement helps them see their progress. Offering praise and encouragement makes children feel seen and valued, which can inspire them to keep growing and learning.

Conclusion

Supporting children in care through tutoring is about much more than academic achievement—it’s about fostering confidence, independence, and a love for learning. By offering choices, building trust, and celebrating each child’s strengths, we can create an educational environment where all children, including those in care, feel empowered and ready to succeed. Our role is to listen, guide, and support them in every step of their learning journey.