AQW 52945/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 15/01/2016
Answered On Date: 26/01/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for his assessment of current educational experiences and outcomes for looked after children.

Answer:

My aim is to create an education service which ensures that everyone receives a high-quality education, focussing on the needs of our young people.

However, the evidence tells us that many looked-after children massively underachieve in education. The latest available figures for 2013/14 show that only 20.9% achieved 5 GCSEs grades A-C including English and Maths, compared to 63.8 % of non- looked after children in our schools. This is a marginal improvement on the previous year.

My expectations for looked-after children are no less than for any other child. I want them to achieve to their full potential. I acknowledge however that they might need a bit of extra support to help them to do so. I have therefore provided an additional support factor of just over £1000 per year to schools for each Looked After Child on their register. In addition the Education Authority’s Education Welfare Service can offer advice and support to individual looked-after children and their carers to support them with their education.

My officials are currently developing a policy to further support the educational experiences and outcomes for looked-after children. They are consulting with the Health Department and all other stakeholders, including looked-after children themselves. I expect the policy to be introduced during the 2016/17 school year.

I await the final report on recent research conducted by OECD to consider ways to improve educational outcomes for looked-after children here. I will ensure that any appropriate recommendations are fully considered as the policy is developed.