TRAFFORD Council is taking a number of steps to improve the exam results of children in care.

A new report states that the average GCSE grades achieved by children looked after by the authority are below those attained by pupils not in its care, although they are in line with average GCSE grades nationally.

Councillor David Acton, speaking at last Monday’s council executive meeting, said: "It is not unique to this authority, but the achievement rates for looked after children are appalling.

"It is something we have real responsibility for and I don’t think enough goes into that area. We have made some progress but we still have a long way to go, and I think it is something we need to keep coming back to."

The report was presented by the Corporate Parent Working Group of the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Council leader Susan Williams said children in care in Trafford fared better than the national average at GCSE, but agreed their results still weren’t good enough.

When the report was written, in February 2007, 234 children were in the authority’s care, of which 21 lived in children’s homes. The most common reason children are placed in Trafford Council’s care is because they have suffered abuse or neglect.

The council is taking two main steps towards improving the educational attainment of children in care.

The first, an Alternative Curriculum Package, was recommended in 2003 and is now being implemented.

The £250,000 scheme aims to help schools to create a flexible curriculum for children in care, improve their attendance and reduce the rate of exclusions.

The second step is the implementation of the Family First Placement Philosophy, which helps families and friends of children in care to support them through the education system.

The council’s Looked After Children’s Service says it will take about three years for the academic attainment of youngsters in care to improve through this approach.

The council has written to all schools in Trafford to encourage them to identify a governor who will act as a school ‘champion’ for children in care.

The working group will oversee the effectiveness of these initiatives and report back to the executive

committee.

Tweet