Children in Care Team - Educational Support for looked after children

The Children in Care Team aims to promote the achievement and inclusion of pupils in care.

In a report from the Social Exclusion Unit: A Better Education for Children in Care it was proposed that achievement for pupils in care should be raised. 

The Minister of State Department of Health (Jacqui Smith) said:
' the new targets for 2006 aim to: Improve the life chances for children, including narrowing the gap between the educational attainment and participation of children in care and that of their peers by 2006'.

Jacqui Smith indicated the target will have been achieved if by 2006:

• the outcomes for 11 year olds in English and Maths are at least 60% as good as those of their peers; 
• the proportion who become disengaged from education is reduced so that no more than 10% reach school leaving age without having sat a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or equivalent exam;
• the proportion of those aged 16 who get qualifications equivalent to 5 GCSEs graded A*-C has risen on average by 4% points each year since 2002; and in all authorities at least 15% of young people in care achieve this level of qualifications.

The Children in Care Team will work with all colleagues in the Children & Learning department, Social Services and health to realise these targets. 

The overall aim of the Team is to improve the life chances of children in care.