This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Drive to improve education for vulnerable children
30/12/2002
Vulnerable young people are benefiting from new books,
computers and homework facilities after a £10 million drive
to improve education for looked after children.
Funding for 11,000 young people was announced by the
First Minister in October 2001 - when local authorities
received £500 for every child in care in a family setting
and £2,500 for every child looked after in a children's
residential home.
Publishing a report about how these resources were
spent, Minister for Education and Young People Cathy
Jamieson said:
"This funding has made a significant difference to the
education experience of many of our looked after children,
as well as increasing their understanding and awareness of
future career choices.
"Local authorities have invested this money wisely to
benefit children being cared for now and for future
needs.
"Funding helped to create studies in residential units,
upgrade libraries and lighting and to provide books, early
learning toys, outdoor equipment, arts and crafts
materials, musical instruments and extra tuition -
particularly for those with specific needs.
"Materials and equipment has been bought to help prepare
young people for jobs. The money also supported projects
which helped young people at risk of exclusion from
school.
"Funding was also used to provide information and
communication technology (ICT), including training for
staff and buying software, digital cameras and
camcorders.
"Looked after children are among the most vulnerable in
our society - it is our shared responsibility to ensure
they enjoy the same educational opportunities as other
young people. Raising attainment levels is the best way to
close the opportunity gap and ensure young people leave
care with the skills and knowledge they need for the adult
world."
The funding has also helped local authorities to
progress towards three targets set by Cathy Jamieson in
January this year following local authority responses to
the 'Learning with Care' report. These are:
- all looked-after children should receive full-time
education
- all looked-after children should have a care plan
that addresses their educational needs
- all schools should have a teacher who is designated
to champion the interests of looked-after
children.
Local authorities have responsibilities under the
Children (Scotland) Act 1995 to provide support to
vulnerable young people - these are known as 'looked after
children'. Children may be looked after in the community
(eg with parents or foster carers) or in residential
accommodation.
Funding was given to local authorities to distribute in
ways that would suit local circumstances. Money was paid to
individual residential institutions as well as direct to
carers and schools. Some local authorities gave carers a
generic educational package which included a personal
computer and educational software. The report on how the
funding was spent is available at
www.scotland.gov.uk
Link to news release announcing £10 million funding for
Looked After Children in 2001/2002:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/pages/news/2001/10/SE4195.aspx
Link to the news release following local authority
responses to the 2001 report 'Learning with Care: The
Education of Children Looked After Away from Home by Local
Authorities':
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/pages/news/2002/01/SE5139.aspx
Further funding has been made available in the Scottish
Budget 2003-2006 for improved throughcare and aftercare of
looked after children and to improve educational
attainment.