Looked-after children attainment gap widens

The figures, relating to outcome indicators for looked-after children for the 12 months to September 2008, show slight improvements in education and health.

However, progress is still slow, and the gap between looked-after children and their peers in terms of academic achievement has increased since 2007.

While the number of looked-after children achieving five A*-C GCSEs increased slightly, from 13 per cent in 2007 to 14 per cent in 2008, during the same period, the proportion of all children achieving these grades rose from 62 per cent to 65 per cent.

The figures also suggest the government could fail to meet its 2011 target of 20 per cent of looked-after children achieving five good GCSE grades. The proportion of looked-after children achieving this has risen by three per cent since 2005, and will only reach 17 per cent by 2011 if the current pace of progress is maintained.

Natasha Finlayson, chief executive of the Who Cares Trust, said: "Achieving this level of good GCSE grades is the absolute minimum to ensure children get access to employment and a good start in life. It is a major concern that progress is so slow and the gap between those in care and not in care is widening."

John Kemmis, chief executive of children's advocacy organisation Voice, hopes the Government adopts many of the recommendations made by the children, schools and family select committee earlier this month.

"In particular we need to see local authorities acting like a true corporate parent, be pushy and not allow a situation where 86 per cent of those children in their care are leaving school without at least five good GCSE grades," he added.