Promoting resilience in fostered children and young people

Feeling happy at school

After their family, the most important institution in the lives of most children and young people is their school.(73) Teachers and other adults in schools can listen to students, refrain from judgement and develop strong, caring relationships with them. The offer of a close relationship with a school counsellor appears to be a key resilience-enhancing factor for foster children.

Success at school

Success at school is crucial to the future opportunities of foster children. Yet the current educational achievements of foster children are low, with nearly half of all children in care leaving school with no qualifications at all.(76) It should be remembered that the scholastic difficulties of foster children often precede placement in foster care but are not apparently improved by it. In some cases, placement in foster care may exacerbate scholastic difficulties especially when children are moved to new schools closer to the homes of foster carers which can disrupt the continuity of their education.(8)

It should also be remembered that the educational attainment of foster children is now improving, supported by the introduction of educational targets by the DfES and in Wales, the National Assembly.(77)The research literature suggests that there is some agreement on the factors that are likely to produce improved educational outcomes for looked-after children. These include:

• encouragement from carers and the presence of other children who can model academic involvement and success
• the presence of 'educational supports' (someone attending school events, access to local library, information on education rights and entitlements)
• contact with an educational psychologist reduces the likelihood of foster placement breakdown.(8)

Users of fostering services confirm that these factors can make an impact. Voices from Care Cymru, a user group of young people who are, or who have been looked after, in Wales, organised two conferences to consult with children and young people about the National Assembly for Wales' Children First programme. A total of 97 children and young people were involved and their experience of education was a key theme, highlighting that young people wanted to succeed in school.

Link: Voices from Care Cymru

The kinds of things that help young people to achieve include:

• encouragement to do well, including the expectation that young people in care will achieve 5 GCSEs
• getting help at home and at school, such as help from foster carers or access to an educational psychologist or a counsellor
• support to stay at college, financial as well as emotional.(5)

The Fostering Network is working with local authorities in Scotland to develop schemes that find mentors for young people leaving the care system. Mentors can offer advice, guidance and support to young people, helping them to build on their existing talents and abilities and develop new ones, including attending college.(78)

Next in this section: The good and bad news about school