Opinion

Social Work Now: Professionals must do better on looked-after children's education

1 min read Social Care Editorial
There are few bigger prizes worth securing in a child's life than success in education. And there are few bigger scandals than the gaping disparity between the educational attainment of looked-after children and the population in general.

The numbers speak for themselves: 12 per cent of children in the care system in England gain five high-grade GCSEs compared with 69 per cent of all children. Year upon year, the figures hardly budge. Our main feature this month examines the role of social workers in being the "pushy parent" alongside carers to fight a child's corner.

Measures such as personal education plans and support from virtual head teachers can help, but social workers themselves have a vital role to play. One area bucking the national trend is Ealing in west London, where 18 per cent of care leavers went on to university last year. Its achievement is thanks in no small part to the Horizons Centre, a one-stop shop for looked-after children that should be an inspiration to others across the land.

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