Digital Inclusion for Looked After Children - Find a freedom of information request

My questions are:

1. Does your authority have current digital inclusion policies relating to children in care and care-leavers? If so, please let me know where this information is published or send me a copy.

2. Does your authority's local offer to care-leavers or pathway planning process contain specific reference to the risk of digital exclusion among care-experienced young people? If so, please let me know where this information is published or send me a copy.

3. Has your authority been involved with initiatives to provide digital media (for example, laptops, iPads or similar digital technology, dongles or other internet alternative) to children in local authority care or care-leavers since March 2020, in order to address the impact of the pandemic on digital exclusion? If so, please let me know where this information is published or send me a copy.

1. No, Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) does not have a specific policy in relation to digital inclusion.

2. Although there is not a specific section in the Pathway Plan to address digital exclusion/inclusion, access to IT and support to access suitable IT is always covered in the education section of the Pathway Plan. If young people need IT for education, then LCC can and does make purchases for young people.

3. Yes, LCC has been part of the central government initiative and circulated hundreds Laptops, tablets and WIFI dongles to Looked After young people and Care Leavers.