Time for Children is the service we provide specifically for  children in public care aged between 5-15 to encourage and support them in reading and learning.

Why Children in Care?

• Around 60,000 children and young people in England are separated from their families and living in residential or foster care.
• Under 14% of children in care attained 5 GCSEs grade A*-C in 2008, compared to over 65% of all children. 
• Over 17% of care leavers are not in education, training or employment at 19 compared to 5% of all young people.
• Children in care are 10 times more likely to have a statement of special educational needs.
  (Taken from latest Government statistics)

Children in care not only have to deal with the difficult reasons for going into care,  but these are compounded by a real sense of loss of family, friends, school, belongings, home and other challenges faced in the care system. Just one of these factors will affect educational attainment.  We want to help children and young people in public care to gain a love of reading which they will have for the rest of their lives. We work in partnership with social services, schools and carers to ensure that our service is tailored to meet the needs of each individual child.  Reading gives children ways to discover new worlds, new interests and unlock doors to further education, training and employment.

How will Time for Children benefit children in care?

• Through the Time for Children service you can change the course of a child’s life. You will be trained to encourage and support children in public care with their reading and learning.
• As a VRH reading helper you can help by giving a child your time, some stability, individual attention, a positive relationship with an adult, and skills that will stay with them for life.
• This leads to improved confidence and self esteem as well as improvements in educational attainment.

How much time will I need to give?
Initial training will take 10 hours. No previous experience is required, all that we ask is that you give a minimum of three hours a week, consisting of two one and a half hour sessions and commit for at least one year. In return you will receive ongoing support, learn new skills and a chance to make a difference to the self esteem, confidence and educational achievement of a child between the ages of 5 and 15.

This service usually takes place in schools and occasionally in residential care settings, which can be outside of school hours.

Where is the scheme based?
Time for Children is a service currently being run in (parts of) the North West of England, the Midlands, Kent and London.

Time for Children is part funded by the Big Lottery. Outside of the named areas we are working to extend the service but need to find full funding through a combination of schools, local authorities, trusts and other funds. If you are a local authority interested in establishing a service in your area please contact the Time for Children Service Manager.

How do I  become a VRH reading helper?
Click here to download an application pack. Please remember to state that you are applying for the Time for Children scheme.