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Rise in number of care children Rise in number of care children
(about 4 hours later)
The number of children in care is at the highest level for a quarter of a century, according to new figures. The number of children under the care of local authorities is at the highest level for a quarter of a century.
Scottish Executive statistics revealed that almost 13,000 youngsters or 1% of youths in Scotland, are looked after by local authorities. Scottish Executive statistics showed that almost 13,000 youngsters, or 1% of youths in Scotland, were looked after by councils.
An 8% rise in the numbers passing at least one Standard Grade was noted in the report. But about half of these still live with their parents or a family member.
However, it said two in three young people in care leave school with no job, training or college place planned. The executive said the rise was due to more awareness of problems faced by young people. The report also said care children received a poor education.
The executive said more needed to be done to ensure this group reaches its potential. The figures were published on the same day as a study which showed a record number of youngsters had been referred to children's panels.
Too many looked after children are not fulfilling their academic potential Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown Foster parents
The number of children in care gaining qualifications in English and Maths has also increased from 28% to 34%. Of those being cared for by local authorities, 7,232 lived with parents or family while 3,731 lived with foster parents.
Council-run care homes looked after 737 schoolchildren and 663 stayed in residential schools.
On education, the report showed an 8% rise in the numbers passing at least one Standard Grade.
The number gaining qualifications in English and Maths has increased from 28% to 34%.
However, it said two in three young people in care left school with no job, training or college place planned.
The executive said more needed to be done to ensure this group reached its potential.
Too many looked after children are not fulfilling their academic potential Robert BrownDeputy Education Minister
Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown said: "Too many looked after children are not fulfilling their academic potential.Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown said: "Too many looked after children are not fulfilling their academic potential.
"That's why we have invested resources and focused so strongly on their educational needs in the last few years. "That's why we have invested resources and focused so strongly on their educational needs in the last few years."
"We have made it clear that this is an issue that everyone involved in their care and protection must address. Accepting failure is not an option. Hugh Mackintosh, Scotland director for charity Barnardo's, said: "What is of real concern is that the proportion of care leavers who are not in employment, education or training has increased to 63%, which compares with 17% in the general population."
"However, we also see the first sign of an improvement in attainment for these young people in a number of years." Councillor Charles Gray, education spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, said there was "a long way to go".
"Our challenge is to make sure our services are person-centred and we are working to strengthen our role as corporate parents so that we can help children in our care to fulfil their potential and become happy, effective contributors to our communities," he said.
Fiona Hyslop, the Scottish National Party education spokeswoman, said: "We now have record levels of children in care which Mr McConnell's administration has failed to adequately provide support for.
"It is simply not acceptable that two in three young people in care leave school with no job, training or college place."