Bid to boost support for children in care

Aberdeen City Council has drawn up detailed plans to help improve the support it gives to children in care. It is hoped that the upcoming “corporate parenting charter” will help protect looked-after children and improve their chances of staying in education.

The new strategy follows a Scottish Government report which revealed that up to 75% of Scottish children in care go on to leave school with no formal qualifications.

Less than 1% go on to university and they are 8.5 times more likely to be excluded from school.

The new plan, being written up by the council’s corporate policy and performance committee, aims to widen the life opportunities of those put into care.

Committee convener Councillor Jennifer Stewart said: “We want looked-after children to reach the same potential that they would if they were part of a traditional family.

“Every elected member will now be made aware of any future changes to policy regarding looked-after children.

“Every councillor should also know how many children are in care in their ward and raise any concerns they have about those children.”

The council will examine the services it offers looked-after children in the city and identify areas for improvement.

The charter will be presented to the full council in the next few weeks and progress reports will be presented annually.

Progress will be measured against that of other local authorities in Scotland.

The council’s social work spokesman, Gordon Leslie, said: “We will work closely with the education authorities to ensure that they get the education that they should while in care.

“The charter is to make sure that all councillors are aware of all their responsibilities with regards to looked-after children.”