Children in care off school for months as school rejections stack up
Summary
A BBC investigation found that many children in care are not attending school for long periods because schools reject their applications. Issues include a lack of resources and difficulty in meeting the needs outlined in the children's education plans. Some children's homes are trying to address this by creating their own educational facilities.Key Facts
- Many children in care struggle to get school placements, often being out of school for months or years.
- A report found that 40 out of 49 children's home providers faced challenges in securing school spots.
- Tyler, a 16-year-old in care, has been rejected by 14 schools and has been out of regular education for 18 months.
- Schools say they can't meet the needs listed in Tyler's Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP).
- Councils have a legal duty to prioritize these children for school places but face a lack of authority to enforce it.
- The head teachers' union cites "chronic underfunding" as a reason schools cannot always accept these children.
- Some children's homes have opened their own schools to ensure kids receive an education.
- The Children's Homes Association wants local authorities to strengthen their commitment to these children.
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