Young people in Falkirk district who live in, or have been in, the care system will benefit from £312,000 of funding this academic year to support their educational attainment.
The Scottish Government has announced that the Care Experienced Children and Young People Fund, which helps those up to the age of 26, will increase from £8million in 2018-19 to £12million.
Falkirk Council’s share of the funding will rise from £196,000 to £312,000.
Local authorities will work with chief social workers and directors of education to decide how the money will be used. Last year, projects ranging from mentoring programmes to counselling services and even driving lessons were funded.
Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson said: “Improving the education and life chances of all our children and young people is the SNP Government’s top priority.
“Young people living in, or leaving, the care system often face barriers to learning, which is why this fund is so important.
“It’s welcome news that, thanks to the substantial increase in funding across Scotland, care experienced young people in Falkirk district will be helped by £312,000 of targeted support this year to improve their attainment.”
