New Bid To Help Children In Care

Inspectors are being called in as part of a crackdown on the way local authorities handle the welfare and education of children in care.

The Scottish Executive is unhappy with the fact that so many vulnerable youngsters are being left with poor qualifications and poor prospects.

One in every 100 children in Scotland is in care.

Many lead disrupted lives, moving from one home to another and from one school to another.

Although their exam results have improved in recent years, half leave school with no Standard Grade of any kind, compared with one in 10 of pupils overall.

Most have no college placements, training or jobs lined up.

Now inspectors are to be called in to scrutinise how effectively councils, schools and care providers deal with this group.

On Monday, the executive is expected to reveal further measures to put pressure on councils.