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| Schools pledge for care children | Schools pledge for care children |
| (about 10 hours 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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." | |
| 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." | |
| The chief executive of NCH, Clare Tickell, said: "The terrible inequality between children in care and others is shameful - and now we have the opportunity to put this right. | The chief executive of NCH, Clare Tickell, said: "The terrible inequality between children in care and others is shameful - and now we have the opportunity to put this right. |
| "Every child deserves the care, attention and chances in life that we give our own children and this must be reflected in the government's reforms." | "Every child deserves the care, attention and chances in life that we give our own children and this must be reflected in the government's reforms." |
| Better pay | Better pay |
| NCH wants intensive work with families to prevent children going into care as well as measures to prevent mental health problems among those who are in care. | NCH wants intensive work with families to prevent children going into care as well as measures to prevent mental health problems among those who are in care. |
| A National Voice, the campaigning organisation managed by care leavers, has called for better pay and training for social workers and foster carers. | A National Voice, the campaigning organisation managed by care leavers, has called for better pay and training for social workers and foster carers. |
| Board member Jonny Hoyle, 21, said: "We hope that young people will be able to feel more empowered and involved in the design and delivery of the services that affect their lives. | Board member Jonny Hoyle, 21, said: "We hope that young people will be able to feel more empowered and involved in the design and delivery of the services that affect their lives. |
| "Young people in care often have strong opinions on the care they receive and want their voices to be heard." | "Young people in care often have strong opinions on the care they receive and want their voices to be heard." |
| Meanwhile the chairman of the Local Government Association Children and Young People's Board, Les Lawrence, said the government had to fix the shortage in social workers. | Meanwhile the chairman of the Local Government Association Children and Young People's Board, Les Lawrence, said the government had to fix the shortage in social workers. |
| "We must create a culture of high expectations and effective care for these children," Cllr Lawrence said. | "We must create a culture of high expectations and effective care for these children," Cllr Lawrence said. |
| "It is then the duty of social services and both local and national government to pick up the pieces and provide these children with the best opportunities possible." | "It is then the duty of social services and both local and national government to pick up the pieces and provide these children with the best opportunities possible." |
| Fostering costs up to £50,000 per child, per year and the annual cost of residential care in children's homes - where some 11% are placed - is, on average, £100,000 per child. | Fostering costs up to £50,000 per child, per year and the annual cost of residential care in children's homes - where some 11% are placed - is, on average, £100,000 per child. |