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Learning with Care:
The education of children looked after
away from home by Local AuthoritiesForeword In a speech
to the Association of Directors of Social Work on 24 March 1999, the Minister
for Education, Helen Liddell, announced a joint task between HM Inspectors of
Schools (HMI) and the Social Work Services Inspectorate (SWSI) to investigate
the education of children being looked after by local authorities. This report
describes the findings of the subsequent joint inspection, the first of its type,
which was carried out in 1999-2000. It makes a number of recommendations to improve
the education of children looked after away from home by local authorities. Evidence
from this report, as well as from research, indicates clearly that children looked
after away from home are at a particular educational disadvantage. In comparison
with their peers they tend to be behind in their attainments, leave school with
fewer qualifications and are more at risk of being excluded from school. If
children are removed from their own homes, there is a duty1
to ensure that the care provided should be better than that which they were previously
receiving. As stated in national guidance2
they should "... where necessary, receive additional help, encouragement
and support to address special needs or compensate for previous deprivation and
disadvantage". Education has the potential to provide all looked after children
with an opportunity to improve their life chances and to help them participate
fully in society. It is clear from this report that the education of looked
after children is not as good as it should be. In particular, the inspection highlighted
too many instances where local authorities have failed to carry out their duties
to ensure that all children looked after away from home have care plans and placement
agreements as specified in the legislation. Effective implementation of the legislation
will help to improve the joint working between education and social work services
that is crucial to meeting the educational needs of these children. This
report acknowledges the positive steps being taken by some local authorities to
support and promote the education of looked after children. Nevertheless, considerable
improvements still need to be made before all looked after children receive the
quality of education they have a right to expect. The report identifies where
these improvements are required. We hope that it will heighten awareness of the
needs of looked after children and will assist those working with them to rise
to the challenge of providing them with the best possible educational future.
|
DOUGLAS OSLER | A SKINNER |
| HM Senior Chief Inspector of Schools |
Chief Inspector of Social Work | < Previous | Contents | Next > | 
