According to a study conducted by the UK government, children living in children’s homes face several challenges when it comes to education¹. The study found that the majority of children living in children’s homes attended educational provision but small number of looked after children resist any engagement in education nor do they perceive it of any value.

Children living in children’s homes were less likely to attend good or outstanding education provisions compared to all children nationally. In addition, children living in children’s homes were 20 times more likely to be in special education than all children nationally.

The study also found that nationally, for those attending state-funded educational provision, around three-quarters of children living in children’s homes had an education, health and care (EHC) plan or were receiving special educational needs (SEN) support¹. 

Some of the ways to improve education for these children:

1. Providing stability: Children living in children’s homes often experience instability in their lives. Providing them with a stable environment can help them focus on their education^!. 
2. Tailored support: Children living in children’s homes have diverse needs. Providing tailored support to meet their individual needs can help them achieve their full potential². 
3. Access to resources: Children living in children’s homes may not have access to the same resources as other children. Providing them with access to resources such as books, computers, and educational materials can help them succeed in their studies³. 
4. Mentoring: Mentoring programs can provide children living in children’s homes with positive role models and support⁴. 
5. Collaboration: Collaboration between children’s homes, schools, and local authorities can help ensure that children living in children’s homes receive the support they need to succeed in their education⁵. 

The UK government has also taken several steps to improve education for these children which include: 

1. Strengthening the regulatory framework: The UK government has strengthened the regulatory framework for children’s homes to ensure that children receive high-quality care and education¹. 
2. Providing funding: The UK government provides funding to local authorities to support the education of children living in children’s homes⁶. 
3. Improving access to resources: The UK government has launched initiatives to improve access to resources such as books, computers, and educational materials for children living in children’s homes⁷. 
4. Providing training: The UK government provides training to staff working in children’s homes to help them support the education of children living in children’s homes⁹. 

Despite these measures, the day-to-day challenge of working with looked after children and convincing them that education is necessary for a bright future, often fall on deaf ears. Continual conversations need to be also held with the young person about the benefits of a good education.

Ofsted inspectors often issue requirements, post inspection of a home, on education but do not directly advise on how best to meet the requirement. When all measures are exhausted, homes are left with little choice but to terminate the placement of the child, due to being unable to meet their educational needs, which in turn sets the young child back again.

The regulation is clear, but how to meet the requirement in face of fierce resistance from the looked after child, remains a constant battle, which often results in the young person losing out, again.  

Source(s) 

1. The education of children living in children’s homes – GOV.UK 

2. What types of needs do children’s homes offer care for? – GOV.UK 

3. Educational poverty: how children in residential care have been let … 

4. Councils in England report 34% rise in elective home education 

5. The education of children in children’s homes 

6. Measures to deliver quality education across all settings 

7. Educational poverty: how children in residential care have been let … 

8. Children’s homes regulations, including quality standards: guide 

9. Educating your child at home – GOV.UK