Dundee West Labour
18 June 2019
Statistics released today have highlighted the incredible attainment gap suffered by Looked After Children (LAC) in education.
The Scottish Government statistics show that, for 2017-18:
• Not even two out of five LAC achieved one National 5 qualification, and more are now leaving by the end of S4 than the previous year
• There is a 17 point percentage gap between LAC and the general population who go to a ‘positive follow up destination’ after school
• 4.5% of LAC went into higher education 3 months after leaving school, compared to 41% of all school leavers
• At all CfE levels, across all age groups, an attainment gap exists in Reading, Writing, Listening & Talking and Numeracy
Labour said the statistics show the need for urgent reform.
Scottish Labour's education spokesperson, Iain Gray MSP, said:
"While we recognise that the situation has improved for Care Experienced Young People in the last decade, these shocking statistics highlight that the young people in our care are still being failed.
"Only days ago the First Minister reiterated her promises to improve things for care experienced young people. We need more than promises though.
"That not even 40% achieved at least one National 5 qualification is a national embarrassment. These young people are having their life chances significantly narrowed by a system that is clearly not meeting their needs.
"The Independent Care Review, led by Fiona Duncan is doing incredibly important work. These statistics however show that reform can’t wait and the Government must start implementing its early recommendations as and when the review announce them, without delay."
Statistics released today have highlighted the incredible attainment gap suffered by Looked After Children (LAC) in education.
The Scottish Government statistics show that, for 2017-18:
• Not even two out of five LAC achieved one National 5 qualification, and more are now leaving by the end of S4 than the previous year
• There is a 17 point percentage gap between LAC and the general population who go to a ‘positive follow up destination’ after school
• 4.5% of LAC went into higher education 3 months after leaving school, compared to 41% of all school leavers
• At all CfE levels, across all age groups, an attainment gap exists in Reading, Writing, Listening & Talking and Numeracy
Labour said the statistics show the need for urgent reform.
Scottish Labour's education spokesperson, Iain Gray MSP, said:
"While we recognise that the situation has improved for Care Experienced Young People in the last decade, these shocking statistics highlight that the young people in our care are still being failed.
"Only days ago the First Minister reiterated her promises to improve things for care experienced young people. We need more than promises though.
"That not even 40% achieved at least one National 5 qualification is a national embarrassment. These young people are having their life chances significantly narrowed by a system that is clearly not meeting their needs.
"The Independent Care Review, led by Fiona Duncan is doing incredibly important work. These statistics however show that reform can’t wait and the Government must start implementing its early recommendations as and when the review announce them, without delay."