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- You are here : Resource Centre : Achievement/Attainment of Children in Care
Achievement/Attainment of Children in Care
Given the capital's large care population, issues around supporting Children in Care, particularly their attainment and achievement are a long-standing focus for London.
Young London Matters is working together with key partners such as London Councils, DCSF, CSCI, the Children's Rights Director and the Who Cares? Trust to support Children in Care and their education.
Care Matters: Ministerial Stocktake Report 2009
London Pledge for Children in Care
Pan-London Approach to Virtual Schools
The 2007 Care Matters: Time for Change White Paper sets out the steps that Government will take, together with local delivery partners, to improve the outcomes of children and young people in care. It builds on responses to the Green Paper Care Matters: Transforming the Lives of Children and Young People in Care and the conclusions of four working groups established to investigate best practice in supporting those in care.
Care Matters: Time to deliver for children in care sets a clear direction for improvement, outlining how the performance management framework will support this and explaining the changes being made to legislation and guidance to promote better service delivery. It guides Children’s Trust partners in implementing change locally, encouraging systematic planning and improvement led by local agencies and professionals, as well as listing the tools, resources and support available to assist delivery.
It also explains how progress will be monitored and evaluated, via feedback from children and young people, input from Ofsted, analysis of data and the evaluation of various pilots.
Care Matters: Ministerial Stocktake Report 2009
The Care Matters: Ministerial Stocktake Report 2009 report was launched at the Ministerial Stocktake Conference on 16 November 2009. It sets out what the DCSF have achieved for children in care through the Care Matters programme of reform, and the plans for 2010. A young person's version of the report is also available. The report was accompanied by a letter written by the Secretary of State to all young people. All local authorities have been asked to send the letter to all their children and young people in care, and care leavers.
Care Matters in London
A conference on successful solutions to improving outcomes for children and young people in care was held on 14th March 2008 called 'Implementing Care Matters in London'. It showcased effective practice, setting the Care Matters agenda for London and promoting the London Pledge.
All Government Offices were asked to provide regional information on progress made against Care Matters for the November 2009 Ministerial Stocktake. The Government Office for London carried out a survey in September 2009 of London local authorities and requested information on good practice for inclusion in the Ministerial Stocktake Report. To see findings from the survey, click HERE
To see a selection of case studies, click HERE
London Pledge for Children in Care
The first London pledge will be launched on 25 November 2008 at Oval Conference Centre. The pledge is set out under the headings of the five Every Child Matters outcomes which children and young people said were important to them. See the pledge HERE
To see how the pledge promises map onto statutory requirements and guidance, click HERE
The Government Office for London, GLA, London Councils and other key partners are progressing work on pan-London promises. These include:
- A free leisure card by 2011
- A pan London peer mentoring scheme
- Feedback meetings for Children in Care
Pan-London Approach to Virtual Schools
The Pan-London Virtual Schools Network has taken forward workstrands to support local authority strategic leads for looked after children. These workstrands include work around::
• improving baseline info on children in care attainment
• Pan-London Personal Education Plan (PEP)
• improving out of authority notification systems
• training material for school governors, designated teachers, foster carers and staff in children’s homes to promote engagement in education and clarify roles and responsibilities
For more information see HERE
