College recognised at national Corporate Parenting awards ceremony
A team at the college who support students who are care experienced and have experienced childhood trauma has been recognised by Who Cares? Scotland.
Who Cares? Scotland is an independent organisation that seeks to secure a lifetime of equality, respect and love for care experienced people.
Held in Glasgow on 22 August, Who Cares? Scotland hosted its first ever Corporate Parenting Awards to mark the 10-year anniversary of the Children and Young People (Scotland) 2014 Act.
West Lothian College won the award for Outstanding Educational Practice in Further Education and was the only college to win at the ceremony.
In 2019, West Lothian College adopted a whole-college approach to supporting students facing trauma, poverty and poor mental health problems. From this, the TRUST team was established in 2022.
The TRUST team is now embedded in the core activities of the college, delivering tailor-made courses for students who have multiple challenges including trauma, poverty and poor mental health. This helps young people onto a safer and more productive path, removing barriers that have prevented access to education.
Jinty Dobson, who works in the TRUST team said: “It was amazing to win an award from Who Cares? Scotland especially in the first year of these awards. It was special to know that the judging panel selecting the winners were people who have been through the system and tough times themselves. We are absolutely over the moon.”
Principal of West Lothian College, Jackie Galbraith added: “I am so proud of our TRUST team who change lives for young people who have been failed by the system. We know how special everyone in the team is and the whole of Scotland now does too.”