Poor careers advice for those in care

Social workers in Northern Ireland need greater access to careers
information to improve the advice offered to looked-after children,
a new report claims.

Interviews with 52 young people aged 9-17 plus social workers,
teachers, foster parents and education welfare officers found that
social workers and carers were not confident about advising young
people in care on courses and careers and that the children also
felt under-served.

The report by Save the Children, First Key (NI) and Voice of Young
People in Care also suggests that an education welfare officer
could act as an advocate for a young person and communicate between
carers and the school.

Vivian McConvey, director of Voice of Young People in Care, called
for greater connections between education and social workers in
Northern Ireland.

Branded a Problem? from Save the Children on 0289043 1123