Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 35
35
Paragraph: 87
Where this is in the child’s best interest, every looked-after child should be cared for...
Conclusion
Where this is in the child’s best interest, every looked-after child should be cared for in a local care placement, receiving their education at a good or outstanding local school. The Department must take greater responsibility for overseeing the placements system and for driving funded system change to reduce the current dependence on out-of-area placements. A national approach to commissioning of care places must consider the location of children’s homes in relation to local good and outstanding schools. Except in exceptional evidence-based cases, children should not be moved to residential placements where they cannot reasonably access good or outstanding local schools.
Paragraph Reference:
87
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Accept in principle. The department recognises the need for more detailed data in terms of looked-after children who are missing education. This will be considered as part of our wider work to develop an implementation strategy to the care review.