Children in care face disrupted education

Children in foster care face disruption to their education when they are often forced to switch schools when placements end, according to a survey published by the Fostering Network today.

One in 20 children living with foster families had moved schools at least four times, it found. One in five experienced two or more school changes.
Nearly half had changed school on at least one occasion since coming into care. (Regular moves such as from primary to secondary were excluded).

In England, only 11 per cent of looked-after children achieve five GCSEs at grades A* to C in 2005, compared with 56 per cent of all children and less than five per cent of care leavers go on to university, says the charity.

Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network, said: “Children coming into care have a hard enough time finding their feet without having to cope with a school move. And for those who get moved time and time again, it’s hardly surprising that they fail to match the achievements of children from more stable backgrounds.

More than 180 children living with foster carers took part in the survey, released to coincide with foster care fortnight.