Chamber
Plenary, 26 Feb 2003
26 Feb 2003 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Looked-after Children (Education)
In January last year, I made a statement to the Parliament on the education of our looked-after children in Scotland. I am pleased to have the opportunity to report to the Parliament on progress and to discuss again this important subject.
In March 2001, we published "Learning with Care", which was the report of a joint inspection by the social work services inspectorate and Her Majesty's inspectors of schools on the educational experiences of looked-after young people. As a result of concerns, Jack McConnell wrote to ask each council leader about their efforts to improve the education of looked-after children. Last year, I reported wide variation in local authorities' performance. Examples of good practice existed, but some authorities could not meet any of the recommendations in full.
Therefore, I set local authorities the challenge of achieving, by the end of last year, three of the recommendations that are fundamental to improving the position of looked-after children. The recommendations were that all looked-after children should receive full-time education; that all looked-after children should have a care plan that adequately addresses their educational needs; and that all schools should designate a teacher to champion the interests of such children.
I have received reports from local authorities on their implementation of those recommendations and the progress that they have made, and I am placing a summary of those responses in the Scottish Parliament information centre today. Overall, all local authorities have improved on their position last year, which is encouraging, but the reports show that authorities could still do better on implementing the recommendations.
Most authorities reported that more than 90 per cent of looked-after children are in full-time education and that alternatives to mainstream schooling are used when needed. Local authorities have also begun to tackle the disproportionate exclusion of looked-after children, but concerns remain. Some authorities have not included children who are looked after at home, as well as those whom they accommodate. It is unacceptable that some still have difficulty in tracking all their looked-after children.
Concerns about children who are looked after at home and about tracking children also apply to care planning for education. Progress on that has been more disappointing, although it is clear that the looked-after children materials have provided a framework that ensures that education is routinely considered in the care planning process. The authorities' responses also raise questions about communication among schools, education departments and social work departments.
All authorities reported that teachers have been designated in their schools, but the role of such teachers and whether they perform it effectively is not always clear. The responses describe good examples of authorities looking beyond the recommendations to make further improvements. For example, Dumfries and Galloway Council has produced comprehensive guidance on the role of the designated teacher, which enables school staff to engage better with the issues and ensures that young people get the most from their education.
In March 2001, we published "Learning with Care", which was the report of a joint inspection by the social work services inspectorate and Her Majesty's inspectors of schools on the educational experiences of looked-after young people. As a result of concerns, Jack McConnell wrote to ask each council leader about their efforts to improve the education of looked-after children. Last year, I reported wide variation in local authorities' performance. Examples of good practice existed, but some authorities could not meet any of the recommendations in full.
Therefore, I set local authorities the challenge of achieving, by the end of last year, three of the recommendations that are fundamental to improving the position of looked-after children. The recommendations were that all looked-after children should receive full-time education; that all looked-after children should have a care plan that adequately addresses their educational needs; and that all schools should designate a teacher to champion the interests of such children.
I have received reports from local authorities on their implementation of those recommendations and the progress that they have made, and I am placing a summary of those responses in the Scottish Parliament information centre today. Overall, all local authorities have improved on their position last year, which is encouraging, but the reports show that authorities could still do better on implementing the recommendations.
Most authorities reported that more than 90 per cent of looked-after children are in full-time education and that alternatives to mainstream schooling are used when needed. Local authorities have also begun to tackle the disproportionate exclusion of looked-after children, but concerns remain. Some authorities have not included children who are looked after at home, as well as those whom they accommodate. It is unacceptable that some still have difficulty in tracking all their looked-after children.
Concerns about children who are looked after at home and about tracking children also apply to care planning for education. Progress on that has been more disappointing, although it is clear that the looked-after children materials have provided a framework that ensures that education is routinely considered in the care planning process. The authorities' responses also raise questions about communication among schools, education departments and social work departments.
All authorities reported that teachers have been designated in their schools, but the role of such teachers and whether they perform it effectively is not always clear. The responses describe good examples of authorities looking beyond the recommendations to make further improvements. For example, Dumfries and Galloway Council has produced comprehensive guidance on the role of the designated teacher, which enables school staff to engage better with the issues and ensures that young people get the most from their education.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
The next item of business is the debate on motion S1M-3943, in the name of Cathy Jamieson, on the educational attainment of looked-after children.
The Minister for Education and Young People (Cathy Jamieson):
Lab
In January last year, I made a statement to the Parliament on the education of our looked-after children in Scotland. I am pleased to have the opportunity to...
Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I am interested to hear the news that the minister conveys to the chamber. She said that she would leave copies of the information that has been gathered fro...
Cathy Jamieson:
Lab
The information should be available. Several local authorities provided updated information at the last minute, which will be available from SPICe as the day...
Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab):
Lab
Does the minister agree that Ballikinrain School in my constituency is not only a model school but one in which an integrated approach to outreach work helps...
Cathy Jamieson:
Lab
I visited Ballikinrain School and was impressed by how the school adapts its work to the continuing agenda for change. The school is particularly interested ...
Mrs Lyndsay McIntosh (Central Scotland) (Con):
Con
On what we can do to help children, I am interested in the progress and the achievements that are being made in certain areas, but does the minister agree th...
Cathy Jamieson:
Lab
I agree with Lyndsay McIntosh on that point. I will talk about that important area in a couple of minutes.It is important to recognise that, as a result of p...
Mrs McIntosh:
Con
I am familiar with the concept.
Cathy Jamieson:
Lab
We should also recognise that young people in the care system might need extra support. Study support groups in schools, for example, are a welcome resource ...
Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
As the minister reminded the chamber, it was more than a year ago that she made a statement to Parliament announcing plans and setting out the minimal requir...
Mr Monteith:
Con
Will the member tell me how those statistics compare with the previous statistics?
Irene McGugan:
SNP
To the best of my knowledge, they have not improved.Most 16 and 17-year-old care leavers have experience of truancy and exclusion. Less than 1 per cent of th...
Cathy Jamieson:
Lab
I remind the chamber of the comments I made in my statement: this is the first time that we have collected such statistics.
Irene McGugan:
SNP
But one year later, are they satisfactory? We must focus on the problem. We heard almost the same thing a year ago—we discussed the same issues and the same ...
Dr Jackson:
Lab
Will the member give way?
Irene McGugan:
SNP
I would like to move on a little bit.The minister made it fairly clear in her contribution that she places at least some responsibility for the situation on ...
Cathy Jamieson:
Lab
Surely even Irene McGugan accepts that the £10 million was an additional resource for looked-after children.
Irene McGugan:
SNP
The £10 million was specifically about providing materials and resources to help with homework; it was not specifically about helping children to receive ful...
Cathy Jamieson:
Lab
Does the member accept that, as I outlined in my speech, the issue is not simply for social work departments? Looked-after children are the responsibility of...
Irene McGugan:
SNP
Absolutely. I have no difficulty with that. However, it remains the case that social workers are generally the lead workers in any group of workers who suppo...
Cathy Jamieson:
Lab
Does the member accept that foster carers were among the people who received additional support through the looked-after children money? Does she also accept...
Irene McGugan:
SNP
I am pleased to know that the minister will continue to meet foster carers, but I know some foster carers who were insulted to receive, as their share of the...
Cathy Jamieson:
Lab
Will the member give way?
Irene McGugan:
SNP
I am in my final seconds. We recognise that if social workers and teachers work together, they will deliver a better outcome for children. There is an implic...
Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
As sure as eggs are eggs, the minister will recall that members on the Conservative benches have supported the Executive's efforts where we have thought them...
Cathy Jamieson:
Lab
There is a danger that consensus might break out between Brian Monteith and me, which is unusual. Does he accept that, despite the fact that we want to work ...
Mr Monteith:
Con
The minister can safely predict that, if strong action is required to be taken with local authorities, she will have the backing of the Conservatives, and my...
Cathy Jamieson:
Lab
I am happy to reassure Mr Monteith on that issue. The draft proposals on additional support for learning will ensure that a greater number of young people ar...
Mr Monteith:
Con
That response is interesting. There is a worthwhile debate to be had on that topic, but I hope that it will not be rushed and that we will have adequate time...