Children in care ‘sent to worst schools’

Councils are letting down children in care by sending them to the worst schools, according to a new report.

The Institute of Education (IoE) says young people taken into care after suffering severe abuse are not having their interests properly looked after by local councils and should be given places in the top schools in their area.

The study, sponsored by child support charity the Frank Buttle Trust, revealed that many youngsters who were abused as a child, or suffered with drug addicted parents, went on to become high achievers and perform well when they had the opportunity to go to university.

Education Secretary Ruth Kelly welcomed the findings and stated in the foreword to the report that the directors of local children’s services should take some “personal responsibility” to ensure that the support offered to children in care is improved.