Children’s Ombudsman calls for longitudinal study into educational outcomes for children in care

Children’s Ombudsman calls for longitudinal study into educational outcomes for children in care

Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, has called on Government to address the deficits in information on educational experiences for children in care by initiating a longitudinal study focused on enriching understanding of these experiences. The Ombudsman for Children made this call on the publication of research today (Tuesday) commissioned by her Office and undertaken by the ESRI and Trinity College.

Education of Children in Care in Ireland: An Exploratory Study by the Economic and Social Research Institute and the Children’s Research Centre, Trinity College, examined education provision for children in care. The research makes a number of interesting findings in particular the lack of adequate information which means that it was not possible for the authors to generate a clear profile of attendance, participation and attainment rates in education among children in care or to compare them with the general population of children.

While noting that children in care can have positive experiences of and outcomes in education when they receive the requisite supports, this study underscores that children in care can face significant challenges to pursuing their education, including attitudinal barriers, placement breakdowns, inadequate care planning and review, and shortfalls and delays in assessment. When encountered, these challenges place children in care at higher risk of suspension, exclusion, absenteeism and early school leaving. The adverse consequences for children can be immediate and long-term.

In addition to highlighting the need to establish a mechanism to support data collection, the report makes a number of recommendations that include:

• the development and implementation on an inter-agency basis of a joint action plan focused on strengthening educational opportunities for children in care;
• the preparation of information and training materials that build capacity among carers and professionals to assist children in care with their education;
• the implementation of specific approaches and measures by both education and care professionals that can directly and indirectly support attendance, participation and attainment in education by children in care; and
• the mainstreaming of opportunities for children in care, and their carers, to express their views in the context of decision-making processes about issues that affect them, including care planning and review and matters concerning children’s education.

Emily Logan said: “When the circumstances and experiences of children in care come under the spotlight, the focus is often on matters relating to their safety, protection and welfare. While work to identify, highlight and address shortfalls in this area is vital, we should be mindful not to overlook or neglect other significant areas of these children’s lives.

“My Office commissioned the Economic and Social Research Institute and the Children’s Research Centre, Trinity College to conduct research to strengthen our understanding of the educational experiences of children in care and identify ways in which the Irish education system, in conjunction with health and social services, can best support attendance, participation and attainment in education by children in care.

“Given that there are currently 6,300 children in the care of the State – a relatively small number of children relative to the overall population of children living in Ireland – a longitudinal study that builds on the ESRI/TCD findings should be feasible. Moreover, the valuable viewpoints and insights shared by children in care, young care leavers, carers and professionals who participated in this current study indicate that a longitudinal study could benefit future policy- making and practice.

“I hope this study and the recommendations emerging from it will assist the Department of Education and Skills, the HSE and, in due course, the Child and Family Agency to collaborate in dedicated work to mitigate the barriers to and in education that children in care can face.”

Read the Education of children in care in Ireland: An exploratory study

• 7 May 2013
• Type: Press Release
• Topic: Children in Care, Education