Summary of Sonia Jackson's Speech for Burnside at the Centre for Ministry.

The tape of Sonia Jackson's talk, plus a transcript of that speech, is available through Burnside library. The main points within the talk are summarised below.

Professor Jackson pointed out how similar the problems and issues faced in the UK out-of-home care system are to those currently faced in Australian out of home care. She outlined the recent history of research and policies on the needs of children in out of home care in the UK She also spoke of recent initiatives by the Departments of Education and Health in producing joint guidance for the Education of Children in Care (2000), and the Children Leaving Care Act (2002), and a current review of the low educational attainment of children in care, a personal initiative of the Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In the UK, the Department of Health has sponsored a great deal of research in this area, and data is available to set baselines and assess programs. In the UK, only 7% of children in out of home care get marketable grades, compared to over half the children in the general population; and only 2% of children in care stay at school after 16 years and go on the university, compared to 41% of the general population. 80% of unemployed care leavers are between 16 and 24 years.

Professor Jackson cited a study she had done, comparing outcomes for those children who achieve academically and those who didn't, demonstrating the dramatic difference educational attainment can make to outcomes for children who have experienced violence and neglect. While there is a slightly higher proportion in Britain of children in care having severe learning difficulties, the figure is estimated at 3% for children in care compared to 2% for the general population. Professor Jackson emphasised that 'low ability is not a factor. It is the care system which creates educational failure, not the children'.

Professor Jackson outlined the main factors contributing to this failure as:

·  Instability and discontinuity

·  Not attending main stream schools

·  Literacy problems

·  Stigmatisation and bullying

·  Poor facilities for homework, and

·  Having no control over your own life.

Protective factors in this situation were identified as:

·  Someone believing in you

·  A stable placement

·  Carers who think school is important

·  Regular school attendance

·  Early reading and access to books

·  Outside interests and friends

·  Help with homework

·  Having sympathetic and supportive teachers, and skilled advice and careers planning.

The obstacles to action on this important issue were seen as our own traditionally low expectations of children in care, a lack of knowledge and concern for positive outcomes in this area by social/case workers and poor communication and confused responsibilities between agencies and individuals supporting and working with the child.

Professor Jackson stated that there are a lot of positive things that we can do quickly for children in care. These include:

·  Advocating for higher educational requirements for carers within the out of home care system.

·  The active promotion of literacy.

·  A focus on the physical conditions in which children can study.

·  Recreational activities and interests.

·  Maintaining children in mainstream schools, and as part of this, an early warning system within the Department of Education and Training and agencies to flag when children are at risk of academic failure.

·  Advocating for children within the care system.

·  Encouragement and motivation for children to achieve academically.

·  Care for young people over 18 years of age. Encourage them to think about education not jobs.

·  The celebration of academic success.

·  Planning and support for children who have left care and wish to go on to tertiary study.

Professor Jackson concluded by speaking of her recent action research project tracking 50 ex-care people at university, identifying their financial and personal support needs.

UnitingCare Burnside has been very active in advocating on these issues at a State level, and recently submitted a full report to the legislative assembly inquiry into the education needs of children in out of home care. A copy of this report is available through UnitingCare Burnside’s Social Justice and Research Program. The agency is optimistic that this important issue will receive the focus it deserves to enhance the life opportunities for children in care.

Dianne Nixon

For the Making the Grade Committee

July 2002

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