Children and young people in care: approaches in Scotland

A reading initiative that seeks to improve literacy among young people in care and instil in them a love of stories has been backed by the children's charity NCH Scotland and the Scottish Executive. Reading Rich, which wants to inspire and encourage staff to promote reading for fun to those they care for, is a collaboration between the Scottish Book Trust and NCH and will involve more than 50 children in three Scottish regions during its first phase.

Working to a three-year plan, the project will organise a broad range of arts-based activities designed to encourage children to seek out stories for themselves, share stories with others and read stories for their own pleasure. In its first year, the project's focus will be on developing a rich reading environment for children between the ages of 3 and 16, in residential and foster care homes in Central Scotland, Moray and the Western Isles.

The initiative follows a report from Audit Scotland earlier this year. Which showed that 60% of 16-17s in care had no passes in English or maths at Standard grade. This compares with an overall Scottish failure rate of only 7% in those subjects. The Executive will provide £90,000 for the three-year term, as well as funding a full evaluation of the initiative which will shape any future changes in policy and the allocation of resources.

(TES Scotland, 06.05.05)

Cathy Jamieson, Minister for Education and Young People, has told the Scottish Parliament that further work is needed to improve educational provision for children in care. Last year's "Learning in Care" report identified problems and the Minister was commenting on the responses received from local authorities following that report. She asked councils to take action on three recommendations, covering full-time education, care plans, and designated teachers.
For further information visit www.scotland.gov.uk/pages/news/2002/01/SE5139.aspx

(Source: NGFL Scotland Bulletin 11.01.02)

Education Minister Jack McConnell announced the first package aimed specifically at the education of Scotland's £11,000 children in care. The Scottish Executive has established a fund worth up to £10 million as a "one off investment" for the current year of 2001-02.

The money will be distributed to local authorities who will be expected to use it for the education of youngsters in care. The money, to be spent on books, equipment and homework materials, will be based on the number of looked-after children in each authority.

The move follows a highly critical report in March 2001 by HMI and the social work inspectorate which found that looked-after children suffered major educational disadvantages.

(TESS, 26 October 2001)

Most of Scotland's 11,000 looked-after children get a raw deal from education and deserve better to help them get them escape the problems that saw them placed in care in the first place according to the Scottish Executive.

A two-year joint study by education and social work inspectors has been given extra weight following the Executive's concern. Jack McConnell, Education Minister, has ordered local authorities to report back within six months on plans to tackle this area.

Statistics show that 75% of looked-after children in Scotland leave school with no qualifications. They make up 1% of the school population but last year accounted for 8% of exclusion, a fall of 5% from the previous year.

A 1998 review revealed that many have frequent changes of school and find themselves in care environments where education is not greatly valued. A lack of clarity between professionals adds to the confusion.

Learning with Care: The education of children looked after away from home by local authorities by HM Inspectors of Schools and the Social Work Services Inspectorate.

(TESS 9, March 2001)