New Perth and Kinross Council initiative for children in care

Oct 2 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

IMPROVING educational achievement for children in care is the aim of a new initiative being introduced by Perth and Kinross Council.

The Letterbox Club is aimed at children from seven to 11 years old, and provides members with a parcel of books, maths activities and educational materials once a month for six months.

Around 15,000 children and young people are being looked after each day in Scotland. Over half of them are looked after away from home, most with foster carers.

By improving opportunities for learning and raising attainment for these young people, their life chances can also be enhanced.

Around 5000 children have been signed up for The Letterbox Club in 2009 through 129 councils in the UK.

PKC and Aberdeenshire Council are the first in Scotland to join the club, which has already met with the approval of teachers and foster parents.

The children involved will report back on their favourite books and activities later this month.