Number of youngsters in Aberdeenshire Council care on the increase, says report

The number of children receiving care from the local authority in Aberdeenshire is on the rise, according to new figures. Aberdeenshire Council says the figure has risen from 441 in February, 2009, to 510 at the same time this year.

The largest rise over the past year has been for children in the age groups 5-11 and 12-14.

The figures, which cover situations of children living at home, with foster carers, in care homes and secure accommodation, were presented to members of the social work and housing committee yesterday.

Among them were details of cared-for children leaving school, published for the first time.

They show that in 2008-09, 45% of looked-after children who leave school were seeking employment, compared with only 7% of all school leavers.

Strategic development manager Linda Morrison said: “While we are making good steps forward, we are certainly not complacent.

“We realise we need to do much more, particularly around improving the education experience of our young people.

“Of particular concern are the numbers of young care leavers who do not go on to positive destinations.”

Academic achievement for young people receiving care is also lower compared with their colleagues who do not. Nearly 90% of all pupils received three or more standard grades at access level or better last year, but less than 60% of looked-after children achieved the same result.

The proportion of unauthorised school absences is also higher among children receiving council support. However, over a third of cared-for youngsters leaving school went on to further education, compared with only a quarter in Aberdeen city.

Head of childcare Bob Driscoll said: “We fully recognise there are some major stubborn areas in which we need to make a breakthrough for the benefit of our young people.”

Two new council workers have recently been employed who will concentrate on cared-for children leaving school as a priority.

Banchory councillor Linda Clark said: “I am interested to see the various increases in numbers. That often means that you are getting it right because we are getting in there early enough.”

Fellow mid-Deeside councillor Karen Clark said that life skills, as well as education, needed to be improved. It’s some of the basic life skills, like how to live independently,” she said.

Peterhead councillor Sam Coull queried why his local town had seen the biggest rise in cared-for children, from 87 in February, 2009, to 112 in February, 2010.

Mr Driscoll said it was an issue being investigated.