Improving the Educational Outcomes of Children and Young People in Care Dr Michelle Townsend Centre for Children and Young People, Southern Cross University Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong

Educational outcomes: Statewide Tests  Students in care are performing below their non-care peers – at every test level across the two years of testing (04, 06)  Indigenous students in care are performing below their non- Indigenous peers in care  Students in care are performing below every other DET equity group, except Aboriginal students

Educational outcomes: Statewide Tests  Students in care at risk of falling further behind as they progress through school.  Some students in care performing well: - 2 in 10 in Year 3 and 5 literacy and numeracy - 6 in 10 in Year 7 literacy - 3 in 10 in Year 7 numeracy

Potential and Confirmed Pathways of 1399 young people in care aged (30 June 2006) School Certificate Candidate 19.2% (268) Obtain School Certificate 56.6% Obtain Life Skills Award 17.2% Record of Achievement (no award) 4.9% Withdrew -Early School Leaver 21.6% Higher School Certificate Candidate 3.9% (54) Obtain Higher School Certificate 40.7% Obtain Life Skills Award 24.1% Record of Achievement (no award) 13% Withdrew - Left School 22.2% Other Potential Pathways 76.9% (1077) Enrolled in Years 9 or 11 Estimate 25% Attendance at Non- Government School Estimate 20% Early School Leavers Estimate 25% Aged Out of Care or Discharged Estimate 30%

 Attachment  Biology  Regulation  Disassociation  Behavioural control  Cognition  Self-concept The effects of trauma on child development

Relationship between transitions and educational progress

Educational and Care Transitions By the time the children in this study were in their first two years of high school, they had: Attended an average of 4.1 schools, Experienced an average of 5.5 placements, and Had 3.4 caseworkers. At high school: 28.6% had changed placement since starting high school, a third of these children also required a school change

For now and for their futures….. The Importance of Education for Children & Young People in Care

Improving educational engagement and outcomes: Educational advocates  Take responsibility  Engage stakeholders  Monitor progress  Seek child’s participation  Act early and with sufficient intensity Early Childhood Education Kindergarten, early Primary Late Primary High School (7-10) High School (11-12) Post Secondary Education

Thank you out_of_home_care_research.html Linked in group - Education of Children in Care Network Children and Youth Services Review Volume 34, Issue 6, Pages (June 2012) Educational Interventions, Practices, and Policies to Improve Educational Outcomes Among Children and Youth in Out-of-Home Care Are we making the grade? The education of children and young people in out-of-home care,