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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Schools pledge for care children | Schools pledge for care children |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| Councils would have a duty to place children in their care in the best local schools, under government plans. | Councils would have a duty to place children in their care in the best local schools, under government plans. |
| A Green Paper on children in care in England is expected to beef up the admissions rules and oblige schools to take the youngsters if told to do so. | A Green Paper on children in care in England is expected to beef up the admissions rules and oblige schools to take the youngsters if told to do so. |
| Other ideas include allowing youngsters to stay in foster homes to the age of 21, not 18, and better training and revised fees for carers. | Other ideas include allowing youngsters to stay in foster homes to the age of 21, not 18, and better training and revised fees for carers. |
| The government wants a radical shake-up of a system which fails many children. | The government wants a radical shake-up of a system which fails many children. |
| Currently, it says, only 11% get five good GCSEs compared with a national average of 56%. | Currently, it says, only 11% get five good GCSEs compared with a national average of 56%. |
| They are more likely to be jobless, become pregnant as teenagers, misuse drugs or go to prison. | They are more likely to be jobless, become pregnant as teenagers, misuse drugs or go to prison. |
| The charity NCH says a fifth of homeless people are care leavers. | The charity NCH says a fifth of homeless people are care leavers. |
| Young people in care often have strong opinions on the care they receive and want their voices to be heard Johnny Hoyle, A National Voice | Young people in care often have strong opinions on the care they receive and want their voices to be heard Johnny Hoyle, A National Voice |
| At present there are some 61,000 children in care in England, 69% of whom are fostered. | At present there are some 61,000 children in care in England, 69% of whom are fostered. |
| In addition to getting them into the best local schools, the government intends to give them free home-to-school transport and guarantee them "catch up" lessons. | In addition to getting them into the best local schools, the government intends to give them free home-to-school transport and guarantee them "catch up" lessons. |
| It plans to appoint a head teacher in each area to be responsible for the children. | It plans to appoint a head teacher in each area to be responsible for the children. |
| Ministers will take stock annually of the children's progress and there will be a national centre of excellence to spread good practice. | Ministers will take stock annually of the children's progress and there will be a national centre of excellence to spread good practice. |
| Improvement needed | Improvement needed |
| Education Secretary Alan Johnson and Prime Minister Tony Blair hosted a seminar at 10 Downing Street on Monday for Whitehall officials, charities, councils, schools and others involved in providing services for children in care. | Education Secretary Alan Johnson and Prime Minister Tony Blair hosted a seminar at 10 Downing Street on Monday for Whitehall officials, charities, councils, schools and others involved in providing services for children in care. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY The government should focus more on giving these children stable and good homes Andy, Bolton Send us your comments Mr Blair said: "If we look at the investments going in, it is very considerable, but when you look at the results, are they where they should be? | HAVE YOUR SAY The government should focus more on giving these children stable and good homes Andy, Bolton Send us your comments Mr Blair said: "If we look at the investments going in, it is very considerable, but when you look at the results, are they where they should be? |
| "Although there are always issues to do with resources, I think all of us understand it is not primarily a question of resources, but what we are doing with the money that is going in." | "Although there are always issues to do with resources, I think all of us understand it is not primarily a question of resources, but what we are doing with the money that is going in." |
| Mr Johnson said initiatives already in place had produced some improvement in the quality of care received by young people. | Mr Johnson said initiatives already in place had produced some improvement in the quality of care received by young people. |
| But he said: "It is nowhere near the improvement we need." | But he said: "It is nowhere near the improvement we need." |
| The general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, John Dunford, said it was unrealistic to expect schools and colleges to improve the long-term outcomes for children in care without the full support and co-operation of social services and local authorities - so the government¿s emphasis on a co-ordinated approach was welcome. | The general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, John Dunford, said it was unrealistic to expect schools and colleges to improve the long-term outcomes for children in care without the full support and co-operation of social services and local authorities - so the government¿s emphasis on a co-ordinated approach was welcome. |
| "The vast majority of schools and colleges currently do their best to help and support children in care, but the cards are often stacked against the institution because of the frequency with which children move," he said. | "The vast majority of schools and colleges currently do their best to help and support children in care, but the cards are often stacked against the institution because of the frequency with which children move," he said. |
| "Social services must place a higher priority on stability of schooling when they are placing children in care." | "Social services must place a higher priority on stability of schooling when they are placing children in care." |
| He added: "Many children in care exhibit behaviour problems from an early age and additional support and resources must be allocated if schools are to successfully educate them." | He added: "Many children in care exhibit behaviour problems from an early age and additional support and resources must be allocated if schools are to successfully educate them." |
| Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Sarah Teather proposed a "pupil premium" - additional funding to ensure young people got the attention and care they needed. | |
| "Schools will then have an incentive to admit them as they will be guaranteed resources to properly care for them," she said. |