Education for Children and Young People in Public Care

Bourne, Jill (2005) Education for Children and Young People in Public Care. In, Wheal, Ann (ed.) The RHP Companion to Foster Care. Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK. Russell House Publishing, pp. 68-77.

Abstract

This chapter examines the context of under-attainment in educational provision for children and young people in public care. It notes that despite the grim statistics, study after study has also identified cases of success, leading to the conclusion that serious though they may be, the disadvantages children face both before and after entering public care do not lead inevitably to failure. Almost all young people (97%) in public care realise that education is important to them and to their futures. The chapter goes on to examine contemporary national and local policy for the education of young people in public care, linking specific provision to developments in mainstream educational initiatives which should support it, and the ways in which policy is being put into practice in different regions. It argues that in all assessments of provision for children in care, the basic principle should be that mainstream structures and strategies have the responsibility to support the educational needs of all children, including looked after children, as part of their equal opportunities policies. However, within this context, there is a continuing need for additional attention, resources and support to ensure that young people in public care are able to access their full entitlement. The key principle for corporate parenting of children must be 'Would this be good enough for my child?'

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