Aaron King
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9000lives.org
Aaron King
@9000lives.org
1.9K followers 1.7K following 450 posts
Be kind, even if they're different to you.
Schools, SEND, Social issues...
95%+ positivity. Yorkshire based.

#Edusky #SENDSky #Inclusion UK

www.9000lives.org/edu-blog/
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9000lives.org
The NEU advice for exclusions, attendance and looked-after children: bit.ly/47KfJLn
Screenshot of National Education Union website advice on support for children in care. Subtitle reads "Advice on how to prevent and reduce school exclusions for students in care."
November 13, 2025 at 7:31 PM
9000lives.org
Who said this?

Guess, then answer in the comments.

#EduSky #ChildrenInCare
November 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM
9000lives.org
Schools offer belonging.

We need to keep children local - where they belong.

@becomecharity.org.uk
@helenhayes.bsky.social
#ChildrenInCare
Quote is from Helen Hayes MP, chair of Parliament’s Education Select Committee. It reads: In 2024, 45% of looked after children were placed outside their local authority… This disrupts their education and exacerbates trauma.”
November 12, 2025 at 7:30 PM
9000lives.org
If we want to cut crime, let's improve support for our children in care in schools.

@helenhayes.bsky.social #ChildrenInCare
Quote is from Helen Hayes MP, chair of Parliament’s Education Select Committee. Quote reads: “One quarter of the prison population has care experience. They’ve been let down previously when they were children.” Image shows Helen Hayes MP.
November 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM
9000lives.org
When children in care turn 18, they face a cliff edge of support.

If they've no family for support, they can face pressures that classmates do not.

We must do better.

@becomecharity.org.uk #ChildrenInCare
Quote is from Helen Hayes MP, chair of Parliament’s Education Select Committee. Quote reads: “She had to give up A-Levels because she had to work to keep a roof over her head. Image shows Helen Hayes MP.
November 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM
9000lives.org
Some lovely feedback about the Children In Care: Guide for School Governors and Trustees.

Don't wait to read and share with your board!

bit.ly/49bb6wz
Two quotes about the Children in Care guide: 1.A school governors says: "It sort of gives me permission to ask tough questions." 2. The National Governance Association say: "An important and accessible document for all involved in school governance." Screenshot of Governors Guide to Children in Care
November 7, 2025 at 7:02 PM
9000lives.org
Fab question. The long answer is that it's available from the DfE but hard to extract from their data set. However, here's the graph for EHCPs. 1/2
November 6, 2025 at 8:45 PM
9000lives.org
The overlap between looked-after children and SEND is huge.

About 30% of CIC have an EHCP.

Perhaps we need to improve early intervention?

#EduSky
November 6, 2025 at 7:30 PM
9000lives.org
In the DfE's academy trust guidance, our free Children in Care guide is second placed recommendation.

A reminder that sometimes second is at least as good as first. 😉

#EduSky
The Academy Trust Governance Guidance, that is written by the Department for Education, reads 7.4.2 Looked-after and previously looked-after children Boards must appoint a designated staff member to support the educational achievement of looked-after and previously looked-after children. This duty is covered by the trust’s funding agreement and the Academies Act 2010, section 2e. Find out more from: • DfE: The designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children which sets out the board’s responsibilities • Become: the charity for children in care and young care leavers in their Children in Care: guide for school governors The full page can be found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/-governance-in-academy-trusts/7-compliance UK singles chart from November 1995 with the Oasis song, Wonderwall, in second place behind Robson and Jerome's cover of I Believe as number 1.
November 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM
9000lives.org
🚨 The DfE recommends our Children in Care Guide to all governors and trustees.

💫 Dream big for #ChildrenInCare 💫

#EduSky
Governance Guidance for maintained schools, which is written by the Department for Education, reads 7.2.3 Looked-after and previously looked-after children A governing body must appoint: • a designated teacher who is appropriately qualified to support the educational achievement of looked-after children • a member of staff responsible for promoting the educational achievement of looked-after and previously looked-after children Governing bodies’ responsibilities are set out in statutory guidance the designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children. This duty is outlined in the Children and Young Persons Act 2008 and the Designated Teacher (Looked After Pupils etc) (England) Regulations 2009. Become, a charity for children in care and young care leavers has published further guidance on children in care for school governors. The full page can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/governance-in-maintained-schools/7-compliance The Academy Trust Governance Guidance, that is written by the Department for Education, reads 7.4.2 Looked-after and previously looked-after children Boards must appoint a designated staff member to support the educational achievement of looked-after and previously looked-after children. This duty is covered by the trust’s funding agreement and the Academies Act 2010, section 2e. Find out more from: • DfE: The designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children which sets out the board’s responsibilities • Become: the charity for children in care and young care leavers in their Children in Care: guide for school governors The full page can be found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/-governance-in-academy-trusts/7-compliance
November 4, 2025 at 7:30 PM
9000lives.org
Social workers are vital in the lives of children in children's homes.

But social workers change.

Sometimes that's often.

So, the bedrock of school staff and school friends can matter more than you'd think.

#Edusky
Roisa, teenage girl and former child in care, reminds us how schools offer stability for children in care. Her quote reads: "The social worker changed every three months, but school was always exactly the same. Schools are a bigger role than they think...”
November 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
9000lives.org
They all mean the same:
✔️ Looked-after children?
✔️ Children looked-after?
✔️ Children in Care?

But it can be confusing. That's why we published this free guide.

Your governors need you to share it with them.

#EduSky
Screenshot of Children in Care: Guide for Governors booklet
October 31, 2025 at 7:15 PM
9000lives.org
Every child deserves a champion.

Some days are hard, but school staff are often that champion.

Aim high for our #ChildrenInCare

#Edusky
In a quote, Kirsty Fletcher, a senior head teacher, reflects on her team’s work with their children in care: "It can be realy daunting but the work we do is so powerful - it really can change the life for a young person." By the quote sits Kirsty, a smartly dressed female head teacher.
October 29, 2025 at 7:15 PM
9000lives.org
Jim Bowen, comedian and presenter, began life in an orphanage. He was then adopted.

His warmth and humour still radiates joy.

Dream big for #CareExperienced children.

#Edusky
Quote from Jim Bowen reads: “My mum told me that she got the job when the original failed the audition... I’m proud to be adopted. I shout it from the rooftops.”
October 28, 2025 at 7:01 PM
9000lives.org
Dame Elizabeth Anionwu spent 9 years in a children's care home.

In 2017, she won the #PrideOfBritain Lifetime Achievement award for her work improving nursing.

Aim high for our #ChildrenInCare.

#Edusky
Quote from Dame Elizabeth Anionwu reads: "Hold on to that dream and surround yourself with individuals who care for you, but will also speak the truth." Caption then reads: "Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, who was in a Birmingham children’s home until she was aged 9."
October 27, 2025 at 7:32 PM
9000lives.org
🚨 New Ofsted inspections 🚨
For leadership and governance to be exceptional, outcomes for disadvantaged children will be 'transformational'.

This includes children in foster care or children's homes.

I hope that this helps #ChildrenInCare.
Standards that meet Ofsted's definition of Exceptional leadership and governance. Exceptional requires a school to meet the ‘strong standard’ and for the following apply: 1. Exceptionally high standards of leadership and governance have been sustained. 2. Leaders’ actions have a transformational impact on the outcomes and experiences of disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, those who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care, and those who may face other barriers to their learning and/or well-being. These pupils achieve and thrive. 3. There are no significant areas for improvement that leaders have not already prioritised. Standards that meet Ofsted's definition of the expected standard of leadership and governance: Leaders act in the best interest of pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, those who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care, and those who may face other barriers to their learning and/or well-being.
October 23, 2025 at 6:15 PM
9000lives.org
When it comes to #ChildrenInCare, complacency is not an option.

So much to do and no time to waste.

#EduSky
Infographic about a survey of school staff asks the question: Do school staff have negative beliefs about children in care? 1 in 6 respondents reported that they veyr often heard the view that children in care are problem children. This was reported in Become's 2018 research Teachers who Care.
October 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM
9000lives.org
🚨 New Ofsted inspections consider both looked-after and previously looked-after children.

They feature not only in the Inclusion strand, but also within Leadership and Governance.

Could this be the moment things start to change for our #ChildrenInCare?
Snippet from the Inclusion strand of the 2025 Ofsted inspection toolkit. Text reads: Inclusion Ofsted considers how leaders and staff identify and support: 1. Socioeconomically disadvantaged pupils (those eligible for the pupil premium) 2. Pupils with SEND; this means pupils receiving special educational needs (SEN) support, and those with an education, health and care (EHC) plan 3. Pupils who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care, such as children in need and looked-after children. Snippet from the Leadership and governance section of Ofsted's 2025 inspection toolkit. The snippet reads: Ofsted considers: 1. Whether leaders and those responsible for governance collectively ensure that the school’s provision enables every pupil to thrive 2. The commitment of leaders and those responsible for governance to raising standards of education and care to improve the lives of all pupils, especially those who are disadvantaged, those with SEND, those who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care…
October 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM
9000lives.org
Neil Morrrissey spent 7 years in care as a child.

One special teacher believed in his acting dreams.

Never underestimate the power of a special teacher. ✨
Quote reads: "What she saw in me was potential. She said ”Watch Neil, he's a natural.” I'll never forget that sentence. Quote is from Neil Morrissey, who was in children’s homes and foster care from age 11 – 18. Image is of Neil Morrissey, actor in 50s in informal blazer.
October 15, 2025 at 6:53 PM
9000lives.org
Baroness Benjamin spent 15 months in foster care as a child.

She's now a member of the House of Lords and tries to make the world better.

Aim high for our #ChildrenInCare.

#Edusky
Baroness Floella Benjamin's official House of Lords Profile besides a quote that reads: "I am there to move society on... Even though I get obstacles I will overcome them because I am working for good.
October 14, 2025 at 6:35 PM
9000lives.org
Every day, social workers work hard to keep children together.

Footballers are heroes to many.

Social workers are heroes too.

#EduSky #ChildrenInCare
Quote from Lloyd Kelly, Juventus player and former child in care reads: "You hear cases where some homes are not able to take three children and they are split up. Fortunately the three of us stayed together." Image shows Lloyd, a 27 year old man, kicking a football on a Juventus match day.
October 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
9000lives.org
Aged 27, Lloyd is an world class footballer.

Until 18, Thelma was his foster carer.

Believe in the power of care.

#Inclusion #ChildrenInCare
Quote from Lloyd Kelly, current Juventus Football Club defender and former child in care reads: "When I was at Bristol, Thelma came to every game she could with her son and daughter. They were there to support me." Image shows Lloyd, a 27 year old man, kicking a football on match day.
October 9, 2025 at 6:02 PM
9000lives.org
Lloyd Kelly, Juventus star, and his siblings lived together in 3 different foster homes.

Lloyd says "Those experiences gave me a better outlook on life."

The foster system has many heroes.

Aim high for our #ChildrenInCare
Poster announcing the starting line up for Juventus Football Club match against Atalanta. Lloyd Kelly, who wears shirt number 6, looks determined and holds up two fists.
October 8, 2025 at 6:01 PM
9000lives.org
Lloyd Kelly entered care at 6. He remained in the care system until 18. He now plays for Juventus.

Aim high for Children in Care.

#Inclusion #Edutwitter
Lloyd Kelly of Juventus, an Italian football team controls a ball on the training pitch.
October 7, 2025 at 6:45 PM
9000lives.org
A mum. A fighter. A symbol of justice.

Doreen Lawrence appears in the National Portrait Gallery.

#BlackHistoryMonth #Inclusion #GreatBriton
Doreen Lawrence, the mother of Stephen Lawrence, a black teenager who was murdered in 1993, stands in front of an oil painting of her that proudly hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.
October 5, 2025 at 6:30 PM