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Libraries switch children in care onto reading

Warwickshire County Council’s pioneering project to encourage children in care to read more has been hailed as a great success, according to a recent report.

Warwickshire’s libraries have spent the last three years working with looked after children and their foster families on the ‘Switched onto Reading’ programme and the final project report is being published this month.

Part-funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s Right to Read programme, ‘Switched on to Reading’ encouraged the take-up of free library services to improve the educational attainment of looked after children. 

It is recognised nationally that children in care can suffer disruption in their education through no fault of their own as they often endure very difficult circumstances. Many foster families have opted out of the library service in the past for many reasons, whether it was because they were unaware of the services and books available, or they were worried about children moving on or owing money in fines or lost books.

Warwickshire Library and Information Service worked in close partnership with other council services including The Education Service for Looked After Children (TELAC), Fostering and Adoption Service and County Arts Service to bring about a range of relevant and innovative resources, activities and events. The Library Service remained in regular contact with 450 children and their foster families throughout the project.

Initiatives included MP3 Stories (books which could be listened to on MP3 players), training for carers and professionals, the provision of specialist book collections, and activities including the ‘Half Time’ book event with Coventry City star Isaac Osbourne and school writing days at Compton Verney.

Graeme Betts, Strategic Director of Adult, Health and Community Services in Warwickshire, said:  "The Switched onto Reading report reflects how our library service is using innovative ways to engage with the whole community. I am extremely proud of this excellent example of partnership working to raise educational attainment for children in care.” 

The report will be available on the council website on http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/libraries, and hard copies can be requested through the Library and Information Service, while stocks last.