Young people in public care

Children in public care are our children. We hold their future in our hands and education is the key to that future. (DfEE and DoH,2000:1)

In the past 25 years there has been research on care-leavers and also national cohort studies that have provided evidence that children in care under-achieve educationally. The Short Report of 1984 highlighted these difficulties, but by 1995, when the joint inspection by OFSTED and the Social Work Inspectorate (SSI) reported its findings, little had improved for this group of young people across England and Wales (Borland et al., 1998: 40). More recent surveys and research, discussed in greater detail later, also demonstrate similar conclusions. In response to these findings the government has, since 1998, launched a number of initiatives that are aimed at supporting and promoting the education of children in care. The latest of these, the Green Paper, Every Child Matters (HMSO, 2003: 13) states:

The educational achievement of children in care remains far too low We need to ensure we properly protect children at risk of neglect and harm within a framework of universal services which aims to prevent negative outcomes and support every child to develop their full potential.

The term ‘children in care’ is used to describe children and young people who are ‘looked after’ by local authorities in England. This means that social services have responsibilities as a corporate parent to support these young people, whether they are in foster placements, residential provisions or in their own families. We will outline these initiatives and explain the reasons why young people are in public care. It will also illustrate ways in which schools can positively and successfully include these young people in their communities.

Discussion

■ Do you know how many young people in your school setting are in public care?

■ Would you be told if you were to work with a young person who is in public care? If not, why not? Do you think this information should be shared with all members of staff?