Further enquiries contact:
Andrew Yule (Anglicare Victoria) on 0448 380 455 or 9412 6137 or Andrew.yule@anglicarevic.org.au
Cassie Wells (Wesley Mission Victoria) on 0466 205 772 or 9666 1277 or cwells@wesley.org.au
Media Release
Embargoed until 6am Wednesday 30 June
30 June 2010
Children in care struggling at school and in need of
coordinated response
Children in out-of-home care are changing schools often, repeating grades, dropping out
early and suffering higher rates of mental and physical health conditions which limit their
participation at school a new report from Anglicare Victoria and Wesley Mission Victoria has
found.
The report, Care-system Impacts on Academic Outcomes, is being launched today by Child
Safety Commissioner Mr Bernie Geary OAM and is one of
the most detailed studies
into
education outcomes for children in care undertaken in Australia.
The study included surveys with 199 carers and 21 teachers as well as six detailed case studies
of young people and those who support them.
The findings show that children in care can be categorised into three groups in terms of their
education – ‘damaged’, ‘disengaging’ and ‘doing well’.
On average, children categorised as damaged were about 12 years old and had been in
care for more than seven years. Almost nine in 10 had a long-term health condition, more than
half had learning difficulties, a third had repeated a grade and one quarter had been
suspended from school.
Anglicare Victoria
CEO Dr Ray Cleary said the report made it clear ‘damaged’ children
needed significant support to get them back on track.
“Children in the ‘damaged’ group have often suffered
significant trauma and require
therapeutic care,
flexible learning options and better connections between schools, carers
and mental health professionals to keep them in education and provide a brighter future,”
said Dr Cleary.
Mr Poul Bottern, CEO of Wesley Mission Victoria, said both Wesley and Anglicare Victoria were
committed to improving outcomes for children and young people in care.
“All children deserve the opportunities that education provides. The report highlights that
children in out-of-home care often need targeted, intensive support to meet their particular
needs. As a community we need to take responsibility for and invest in the
future of these
valuable children.” said Mr Bottern.
Anglicare Victoria and Wesley Mission Victoria are
calling on the Brumby Government to
develop a fully resourced ‘education first approach’ to prioritise education needs and meet
the aspirations of children in care. Other recommendations include the expansion of
therapeutic care placements, increased alternative education programs and improved
integration across the out-of-home care, education and mental health
systems to support
children and young people in care.
-ends-
NEWS 
