Education in care

New statistics published by the Scottish Government show that the educational attainment of young people in care is far below that of other young people. These statistics are not a surprise. Who Cares? Scotland has advocated for care experienced people for almost 40 years. Access to education has been an issue that young people have raised with us since we opened our doors.

Young people who are in care leave school earlier than everyone else, with fewer qualifications. Perhaps the hardest thing to read in the new report is that promising young people who are moved around see their education crash. Our members tell me that it seems pointless to focus on school when they know that they will be moving on to a new bedroom, a new classroom and a new carer soon enough.

Given how long these statis- tics have been around, it cannot be the fault of individual young people. This is a systemic issue.

Progression after school is limited for young people in care. Some hugely positive steps have been taken to get care-experienced people to college and university. Care-experienced people will receive a bursary in Scotland rather than a student loan. The University of Strathclyde offers a mentor to every care experienced student who wants one.

These measures, progressive as they are, are not set up to address the fundamental challenge care-experienced people face. The First Minister has called for a root and branch review of the care system and I hope that these statistics will be considered deeply and honestly.

Our care-experienced members tell me they just want a chance to succeed, but feel the challenges are insurmountable. This review is a once-ina-lifetime chance to change their outcomes and it must be grasped. JAMIE KINLOCHAN Who Cares? Scotland, Oswald Street, Glasgow