Post-school attainment and support: What factors support care experienced and adopted young people, and those currently experiencing the ‘care system’, to achieve and sustain positive post-school destinations (including further and higher education, training, and employment), and where do transition points present the greatest risks of disengagement?
Background
The Independent Care Review made clear that education is central to ensuring care experienced children feel loved, safe and able to reach their potential, highlighting that many barriers to learning stem from wider experiences of trauma, instability and stigma rather than education alone. Education Outcomes for ‘Looked After’ Children reporting[4] highlights persistent gaps in outcomes between pupils experiencing the ‘care system’ and their peers in terms of attainment, attendance, exclusions and destinations upon leaving school. A better understanding is needed on underlying drivers for these persistent gaps.
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