Background
to the Research
- Looked
after children and care leavers are some of the most disadvantaged
members of our society. In addition to the trauma and instability
that many have experienced, they are highly vulnerable to being socially
excluded, living in poverty or becoming homeless.
- This
briefing presents the results from the second annual OC1 study. This
study was undertaken as part of the Department of Health, Social Services
and Public Safety's commitment to promoting educational outcomes for
care leavers and looked after children throughout NI. This is underpinned
by the NI Executive's Programme for Government (2002-2005)
Research
Approach
- Eleven
HSST's completed a questionnaire which focused upon the educational
and economic activities and achievements of 100 girls and 106 boys
aged between 16-18 years, who ceased to be cared for by their HSST
during the year ending March 2003.
- The
sample excluded young people who were only placed in short term respite
care.
- Some
of the information provided by nine of the Trusts was incomplete.
However, it was noted that there was a huge improvement on the timeliness
and completeness of information returned from the previous year.
Main
Findings
Profile
of Sample
- Although
there was not a significant difference within the sample, almost half
of the young people lived within the Eastern Board area.
- Forty
seven percent of the sample was Catholic and 38% was Protestant.
- Ninety
seven percent of care leavers were white and 3% were of mixed ethnic
origin.
- Fifteen
percent of the young people had disabilities, two thirds of which
were learning disabilities and one fifth had mental health difficulties.
- Thirteen
percent had received a statement of Special Educational Needs. Care
leavers are 4 times more likely to have been statemented than children
within the general population.
- Prior
to leaving care, 15% of young people had been in residential care,
36% had been in foster care, 21% were placed with family and 28% were
placed in a variety of other setting such as hostels, and other types
of independent living accommodation.
Most
recent period in care
- Twenty
seven percent of young people had spent over 10 years in care, whilst
almost a quarter had spent between 5 and 10 years in care. Thirty
one percent had been looked after between 1 and 5 years and 17% had
been in care for less than a year.
- Whilst
the average length of the most recent placement was shorter for boys
and girls who left care in 2002/03 compared to those who left in 2001/02,
boys still spent longer, on average, in care, than girls.
- The
vast majority of young people left care once they reached the age
of majority. Most of the remainder returned home or went to live in
supported accommodation. However, 10 people under 18 left care and
moved into unsupported housing.
Educational
Attainment
- Overall,
the standard of qualifications obtained by care leavers compared with
the general population was very low.
- There
was no improvement on the results obtained during the previous year.
- Only
11% of young people left care with 5 A-C grade GCSE's, compared with
59% of school leavers.
- Whilst
5% of NI school leavers have no qualifications, this was the case
for 51% of care leavers.
- Six
percent had obtained one GNVQ.
- Girls
were more successful than boys with 12% obtaining at least 5 GCSE's
grades A-C compared with 10% of boys, and 48% achieving other qualifications
compared with 28% of boys. Sixty one percent of boys left care without
any qualifications. This was also the case for 40% of girls.
- Having
a recent foster care placement was linked to successful academic outcomes
and this was also noted amongst those who were employed.
- Length
of time in care appears to have an impact upon outcomes, but this
may be due to the different placement types experienced.
- Outcomes
also varied amongst the HSSTs, with care leavers from the Eastern
Board area faring the worst with 3/5 of young people leaving without
any qualifications.
- Seventy
eight young people, who were eligible, did not sit any exams.
Economic
Activity
- There
was an increase in the level of incomplete information (46) being
returned in relation to the economic activity of young people.
- Of
the remaining 160, 1/3 was in education or training and 1/5 was employed.
This produced a total of 57% compared to the NI average of 91%.
- However,
one third of young people were unemployed and 21 were either sick
or acting as carers.
- Overall,
43% of young carer leavers were not in education, training or employment,
compared with 9% of 16-18 year olds in NI.
- Young
care leavers are 6 times more likely to be unemployed than the rest
of the NI population (based upon 2001/2002 statistics).
- Catholic
care leavers were more likely to be unemployed or inactive, despite
having comparable levels of qualifications.
- Girls
were more likely to be in education or had become economically inactive
due to parenting responsibilities.
- Over
half of the care leavers within the Western Board Area were either
unemployed or economically inactive, despite having obtained similar
or higher levels of qualifications than their counterparts in other
areas.
Conclusions
- The
authors urge caution when making comparisons between care leavers
and young people within the general population as they are characteristically
very different cohorts.
- The
sample size for care leavers is also small and significant issues
which have emerged during the research may be reflecting random variations
within the population.
|