Following on from Claire Gadsby’s seminar on Friday, I share these important statistics, just released by the DfE on ‘Looked after Children.’
65,520 children were looked after at 31 March 2011, an increase of two per cent on 2010 and the highest number since 1987.
The average length of time children waited to be adopted was two years and seven months.
Commenting on the statistics, Children’s Minister Tim Loughton said:
Today’s statistics are a timely reminder that we must redouble our efforts to do better for children in care.
Given the life can be challenging enough, without the added pressures of gaining an education. What can we do as classroom teachers to further support these young people in addition to designated teachers, virtual schools, communication between services, 1-2-1 tuition? What do you do at your school? I would love to know more.
Unsure that we should still be doing more? only 15% of looked after children who had been ‘looked after’ for at least a year achieved 5 GCSEs compared to 70 per cent for all children. ‘Outcome Indicators for Children Looked After (OC2).‘ Read more here.
This is one area of my parent engagement responsibility I will be adding to be ‘Area Improvement Plan.’ I am determined to hold myself accountable and support this group of children at our College.
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