Children In Care Being Let Down

Too many vulnerable children are being let down by the care system with half leaving school without any Standard Grades, the Scottish Government admitted yesterday.

Latest statistics for this year revealed that while the number of children under local authority care is rising, only 52% had one or more passes at Standard Grade level – just 1% more than the previous year. The number of youngsters with passes in both English and Maths was even lower, unchanged since 2005 at just 34%.

Children and Early Years Minister Adam Ingram said the increase in young people in care showed that the system was successfully identifying more of those in need and getting them support and security. But he added: “I want to see an improvement in attainment and opportunities because the status quo is simply not good enough.”

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) agreed that more work was needed to improve the lot of youngsters in need.

Councillor Isabel Hutton, Cosla education, children and young people spokesman, said: “It’s clear that we can and must do better for our looked-after children, and the welfare of looked-after children will remain a high priority of both local and national government.”

Yesterday’s figures showed that between April 2006 and March 2007, 14,060 children were looked after by local authorities – up 8% on 2006 and up 26% since 1999.

Of those 14,060, 43% were placed at home with parents under a supervision requirement because it was considered to be in their best interests. However, those cared for at their parental home did worse academically, with 45% achieving at least one Standard Grade pass compared to 60% of those who had been looked after away from home.