education of children in care

Sophie Fordham, Jft's legal adviser, answers: This question is an example of the many problems facing young people in care. The government has recently issued guidance, The Education of Young People in Public Care, and outlines the measures that should be introduced in order to fulfil the local authorities combined responsibility as corporate parent.

Poor levels of educational attainment of children in care
This guidance comes after many studies showing the poor levels of educational attainment of children in care. It aims to tackle serious underachievement of children in residential care and to bring their attainment closer in line with that of their peers.

One quarter of those school age children received into care had been either excluded or suspended before reception into care, or were already in alternative educational provision. Of the remainder just under half had problems with non-attendance.

These children often have to cope with the disruption of moving between care placements, often resulting in a change of school. In a study in Scotland of children in care almost 60 per cent changed their place of education in one academic year and three out of 10 had three or more changes.

Corporate parent
The guidance aims to assist local authorities in their role as corporate parents. The local authority's role is to safeguard and promote the education of children and young people in public care.

The concept of corporate parent emphasises the collective responsibility of the whole of the local authority to promote the educational development of the young people in care.

The two key measures to bring about multi-agency co-ordination and improve educational life chances:

• Personal education plans (PEP)
• Designated teachers

Personal education plans
Every child and young person in public care needs a Personal Education Plan which ensures access to services and support; contributes to stability, minimises disruption and broken schooling; signals particular and special needs; establishes clear goals and acts as a record of progress and achievement. (paragraph 5.17)

PEPs encourage dialogue between social workers and schools and underline the importance attached to the young persons education. The social worker is responsible for initiating a PEP in partnership with the child or young person's designated teacher, parent or family member.

Designated teacher
The guidance recommends that schools should designate a teacher to act as a resource and advocate for children and young people in public care. Local education authorities and social services departments should co-ordinate suitable training for them and maintain an up-to-date list of designated teachers in schools in their areas.

Liaison between social workers and schools
One of the issues that the guidance highlights is the need to encourage dialogue between schools. Having a child waiting around until 5 o'clock cannot be in the best interests of that child. Communication with the social worker is vital to ensure that the local authority is fulfilling the role as corporate parent.

Whose responsibility?
To comply with the guidance there must be appropriate liaison between the agencies involved. It appears that the needs of this child's needs are not being met.

• Action
  Inform the headteacher
• Contact the child's social worker with the view to formulating a PEP in order to fulfil the role of corporate parent

For information on the government Guidance on The Education of Children in Public Care (circular DH LAC (2000) 13) can be found on the DfES website.

Tackling the issue of underachievement of young people in local authority care is part of the government's Social Exclusion Strategy. Further details can be found on the official website, which includes an opportunity to make comments.