Publication of ‘Outcome indicators for looked after children in Northern Ireland year ending 30 September 2008’
Friday, 4 September 2009The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published a statistical bulletin summarising information on children in care.
This statistical bulletin presents information on children and young people looked after continuously for at least 12 months at 30 September 2008, gathered from Health & Social Care Trusts.
It details findings on the educational achievements of these young people at Key Stage Assessments, and GCSE/GNVQ. It also includes information on their age and gender, religion, disability, length of time in care, placement type, offences and convictions, and health assessments completed.
The main findings from the survey indicate that between 2006 and 2008, the educational attainment of children in care in Northern Ireland improved slightly in some areas and declined in others. Overall, children in care in Northern Ireland continue to do significantly less well when compared with their peers in the general school population and with looked after children in England.
Key Facts and Figures
At 30 September 2008, 1,626 children and young people had been looked after continuously for at least 12 months in Northern Ireland; of which 842 (52%) were boys and 784 (48%) were girls.
Over three quarters (77%) of these children were of school age, and of these; 23% had a statement of SEN, 1% had a permanent exclusion, 8% had been suspended from school and 9% had missed at least 25 days of school within the academic year.
In 2007/08, over half of looked after children eligible to be assessed at Key Stage 1 achieved level 2 or above in English (51%) and in Maths (52%).
Between 2005/06 and 2007/08, the percentage of looked after children achieving level 2 or above in Key Stage 1 English decreased by 4 percentage points, whilst the proportion achieving level 2 or above in Key Stage 1 Maths decreased by six percentage points.
Almost 3 in 10 children looked after eligible to be assessed at Key Stage 2 achieved level 4 or above in English (27%) and in Maths (30%) during 2007/08.
Since 2005/06, the percentage of looked after children achieving level 4 or above in Key Stage 2 English has increased by 3 percentage points, whilst the proportion achieving level 4 or above in Key Stage 2 Maths increased by 9 percentage points.
One quarter (25%) of looked after children eligible to be tested at Key Stage 3 achieved level 5 or above in English and Science, whilst almost 3 in 10 (29%) achieved level 5 or above in Maths.
Half (50%) of looked after children eligible to sit GCSE/GNVQ examinations in 2007/08 attained at least 1 GCSE/GNVQ at grades A*-G, compared with 98% of the general school population in Northern Ireland and 66% of looked after children in England.
One in 10 (10%) children looked after aged 10 & over had been cautioned or convicted of an offence whilst in care during the year ending 30 September 2008.
Half (50%) of those children who had completed Year 12 at school in 2007/08 were in full time education at 30 September 2008, 6 percentage points higher than in 2006.
Notes to Editors:
1. This publication is available online
2. About the data:
- The source of the data contained in this release is the Departmental OC2 statistical return, collected from legacy Health and Social Services Trusts during the period November 2008 to March 2009
- Figures incorporate all returns and amendments received from HSC Trusts up to 28 August 2009
3. This statistical bulletin was produced by Community Information Branch, DHSSPS.
Further information is available from:
Community Information Branch Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Room 11, Annexe 2, Castle Buildings, Stormont Belfast BT4 3SP Tel: (028) 90 522493 Fax: (028) 90 523288 E-mail: Internet:4. Media queries to DHSSPS Information Office on 028 9052 0575, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
Connect with US
