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Improving education outcomes for children and young people in care

Improving education outcomes for children and young people in care. Life Without Barriers Presented by: Debra Mainwaring, EREA Youth + Education Consultant to the LWB Specialist Program Co-authors: Kylie Gwynne, National Director Strategy and Change, Life Without Barriers

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Improving education outcomes for children and young people in care

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  1. Improving education outcomes for children and young people in care Life Without Barriers Presented by: Debra Mainwaring, EREA Youth + Education Consultant to the LWB Specialist Program Co-authors: Kylie Gwynne, National Director Strategy and Change, Life Without Barriers Gina-Sue Bolon, Strategy and Change, Life Without Barriers

  2. Life Without Barriers Overview • We provide care for about 4,500 people across the country • We support more than 2,200 carers • We have almost 1800 staff • We work alongside highly vulnerable people and communities

  3. Children and Young People in care • In Australia in the year to June 2010: • 7 out of 1000 children were abused or neglected • More than 187,000 children were reported to child protection authorities • 31,000 of these children were found to be harmed Source: Report on Government Services 2011 http://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/105356/072-chapter15.pdf Table 15A.1

  4. Life Outcomes for Children and Young People in care • 64% have no leaving care plan • 35% are homeless in the first year of leaving care • 46% of boys are involved in the juvenile justice system • 29% are unemployed • 28% were already parents themselves • Source: Create Report Card (2009) ‘Transitioning from Care: Tracking Progress’

  5. Challenges for Children and Young People in care • Barriers to educational attainment • Higher rates of absenteeism and truancy • Behavioural / developmental problems • Lack of co-ordination • Low expectations • Placement Instability • 51.2% of children and young people exiting care in 2009-10 had 3 or more placements • Disruption to learning • Social impact Source: Report on Government Services 2011 http://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/105356/072-chapter15.pdf Table 15A.1

  6. Research Study Outcomes • Children reengaged and stable in school • Support for carers that can improve placement stability • Specialist knowledge • Advocate for the child within the education system • Relationships with local education providers enhanced • Review of the extent policy translates into practice

  7. Policy and Practice Changes • Education as central to care plan • Improving the engagement, communication and working partnerships • Improving the educational support provided • Addressing the experience of trauma and abuse • Implementation of Individualised Learning Plans • Facilitating accountability around existing policy • Tackling Social Exclusion

  8. Proposed Ways Forward • Establish a forum for policy coordination and program development • Establish a centre of excellence for education for children in care • Introduce systematic and regular program evaluation and development • Implement frontline practice improvements

  9. Thank you

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